14 THE SCHOOL

I put the receiver at its place and grabbed that drawing from Rick’s hand.

“We have to get to her school. Now.” I said in a hurried voice snatching keys from his hands.

“Y-yes. Let’s go.” And he followed me outside. I went straight to the garage as Rick locked the house. I took out the car and honked at him to get inside. As he gets inside I speed up the car toward her school.

My mind was flooded with so many memories and dark ideas. My eyes were burning with anger.

“Hey...hey...careful.” Rick said putting his seat belt and holding on the handle. I kept silent and continue to drive wildly.

In about ten minutes we were in front of her school gate. I get out of the car and went straight to the reception.

“Good afternoon miss. How can I help you?” the receptionist said to me as I went toward her.

“I want to see my daughter.” She nodded and asked for her details. By the time Rick came from behind. Again I started to feel dizzy. I took my head in my hand and sat down on the floor.

“Hey...? Hey...? You okay...?” he holds me and makes me sit on the couch nearby. “Ya. I’m okay. I just want to see her.” I said to him as he gave me a glass of water given by the receptionist, who was standing beside both of us.

“Okay. Now calm down.” He said turning toward the receptionist giving information about his girl.

“Okay. You have to wait here till she came. Currently her class is going on.” The receptionist said heading toward her desk.

I got angry as she said so. I stood up from my seat and held her wrist tightly as she passes by my side. “Listen girl. I can’t wait until the class. I want to see her right now.” I said to her with an angry expression.

“But miss...” she said trying to get out of my grip.

“No but. Right now means right now.” I said tightening my grip. She let out a cry of pain. Rick started to interfere and handle the situation.

“Hey. Easy. Julia!” he shouted at me and I let go of her hand. She took her hand away from my grip and looked at me with her teary eyes. She went behind her desk and called someone on phone. After few moments I saw my little princess coming through the corridor. I rushed toward her and took her into my arms.

“Mommy?” she said as I started to cry. She kept silent. I wiped my tears and look into her eyes. “Are you ok...?” I asked her taking her hands in mine. “Yes mommy. I’m okay. What happen...?” she asked me putting my face in her hands.

“Nothing sweetie.” Rick said coming toward us. “Mommy was missing you so she wanted to see you.” he added. She giggled.

I looked around the area but found nothing suspicious. Rick took her in his arms as she was busy telling him about her classes.

Suddenly Rick looked at me gesturing at the receptionist who just came back to her desk after setting her makeup. I got what he intended to say. Then I pointed at the little girl in his arms.

“Hey you want to grab an ice-cream...?” he asked her and she nodded in a yes with a giggle. “Okay. We are going to cafeteria. Want to come...?” Rick asked me standing from the couch.

“Just behind you.” I said with a smile. And they both move out for the reception area. I took a few deep breaths and calm myself. I stood up and went toward the reception desk. As I move toward the desk, I could see the hesitation in her eyes. She was afraid of me but somehow she smiled at me. “Do you need any help miss...?” she as I put my hand on her desk sitting on the chair.

“No. I just wanted to apologise for what I did.” I said in a calming tone looking straight in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to harm you or anyone else but it was as crucial situation.” I added.

She let out a long sigh of relief.” It’s okay.” She replied with a smile.

“I got some bad news about her and can’t resist myself to see her. I hope you can understand.” I said as my eyes get heavy with tears, I turned my gaze away from her.

She put her hand on mine and gave me tissue paper. “I can understand. After all you are a mother.” She said trying to handle the situation. I gave her a faint smile. “It’s okay. It happens. If I were at your place I would have done the same.” She said as I looked toward her in a surprised look. She was still holding my hand and smiling at me.

“Thank you.” I said controlling my tears. Then she offered me water. I took few sips of water from the glass and put it down on the table.

“By the way your daughter is very cute. I like her very much.” She said with a giggle. “thanks.” and I nodded. “I like to talk to her on her breaks.” She continued. “We are like friends” and we both laughed at her comment. She told me about how she play with her and talk to her at times. It was really good time with her. Then I remember about cafeteria.

“Oh. I have to go. Thank you.” I said to her standing up from my chair.

“Wait.” She took a small piece of paper and scribbled something on it and handed it to me. “Here. This is my cell number. I’m always there if you need someone to talk.” She said with a smile. I was amazed with her kindness. I took the paper and looked toward it.

“Nancy.” I read. I turned toward her. “Thanks Nancy. It means a lot.” She nodded with a bright smile.

I head toward cafeteria where Rick and his daughter both were busy in eating ice cream. They offered me some but I helped myself with a can of cola. They continued to talk about her classes and her teachers and friends. In an hour...it was her off.

“Let’s go home now.” She said getting out of her daddy’s arms.

“Okay. Go and grab your bag.” I said. She ran out of the cafeteria toward main building of her school.

“Everything is fine.” Rick said ceasing my back.

“Ya.” I replied with a faint smile. After few minutes the school bell ring and all the school kids were rumbling around the school. Rick and I both made our way toward the gate, waiting for our daughter. After few moments she appeared with the receptionist. She gave a peck on her cheek and ran toward us. Nancy was smiling and waving toward us. I took her in my arms and wave back toward her.

“Let’s go home now.” Rick said opening the door of backseat of the car. We both get in the car. He shut the door and move toward driver side.

He looked around and found a black car. A man was sitting on the driver seat sipping on a can of soda. He waved his soda can toward Rick. Rick nodded at him with a smile.

“Let’s go daddy.” Little girl yelled from inside. Rick gets inside the car and we head toward home. On the way back I asked my sweetie about Nancy and she started to tell me about her story. We all were giggling with her expressions and gestures.

“Julia...wants to grab groceries...?” Rick asked me looking at me through the rare view mirror.

“Okay.” I said. Then after few minutes we stopped by the supermarket and grab out stuff. After billing and payment we all head toward home. I was still worried about what happened earlier in the afternoon today.

We all get home safely.

But something was odd with Rick.

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