Reuniting Parents
"Alex, Alex" mom waved in front of my eyes
"Hmm" I mumbled
"Are you here baby? We are trying to get your attention from last 5 minutes. Is everything okay?" she scrunched her brows together.
"No mom. I am fine. I was just occupied in some thoughts" I stammered like I was caught red handed.
"Rose, he is fine. Don't worry" my father interrupted and patted her hand.
"Boys get lost in thoughts in this age" my dad winked at her.
"Oh! I didn't know that. Who is she?" mom was smiling like she was conspiring something.
"Hey wait, what you guys are thinking." I defended myself.
"We are thinking that YOU are thinking about your girlfriend" they sing song together.
"I don't have a girlfriend." I denied flatly
"James, Alex is not ready to tell us. I think we should not push him. You know what he has been through back at home" she gently squeezed dad's hand and he nodded in agreement.
"Mom, you know that I will tell you if something happens like that" I hold her hand and made her look at me.
"Hey I was kidding, cheer up" my mom hugged me sideways and smiled at me. I have seen a genuine smile of hers.
She was beaming after coming to India and I know dad is reason of that. They have spent every single moment together after their date.
"Alex, we have to tell you something" dad had a secretive smile
"What is it dad?" I asked him while munching on my sandwich.
"I have applied for volunteer retirement and I hope it will be accepted. We will go back home soon" they smiled at each other.
I felt that I was showered with ice cold water. We will go back soon means there will be no Gawri. I felt pain in my chest at that thought. I looked blankly at my parents who were expecting my reaction and I smiled back at them.
"Wow that, that's awesome. I am very happy. I am really very happy" I tried to smile ear to ear but failed miserably.
"Alex, do you have school today" I was eating in silence.
"No dad but I have to go tomorrow to collect my exam hall ticket"
"Okay, are you coming see off your mom" dad was upset that mom was leaving early.
"When is the flight" I enquired
"3:30 PM" dad answered
"What about your work? Is Gawri coming today?" I asked him.
"No, she is not coming today. Her brother is still not well. She will try to come tomorrow"
"Who is Gawri, James" mom interrupted
"Oh Rose, how did I forget to tell you about her? She is an amazing child. I wish you have met her. She is like someone we knew" Dad told her about Gawri.
"Child? James" mom gave a confused look.
"Yes, she is Alex's classmate and a very hardworking student. She worked here part time as my assistant. And you know she can speak many languages fluently. And her management skills, I don't have to worry about any appointments, files or even my medicines. I found a perfect assistant in her." Dad kept on praising Gawri with proud in his eyes.
"I really want to meet this girl. I hope to see her next time but James" mom asked cheerfully but paused instantly.
"If she is Alex's classmate then why is she working part time? I don't think rich Indians allow their kids for job" she asked with curiosity.
"She is daughter of school's staff. Her school is funding her studies and she works here for other expenses" mom nodded in understanding.
"It must be tough for her to juggle between studies and job" she sighed
"Mom she doesn't want pity. She likes to work here. She told me that she has learnt lot of things from dad." I interrupted.
"That's nice. Is she your friend?"
"Yes mom, we are friends and she helped me a lot in studies"
"She is multitasking and brave too. Teaching you is quite handful" she teased me.
"Mom" I rolled my eyes.
"Okay okay" mom moved up her hands in surrender. "Go get ready"
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"Hey Maddy, what's up?" I heard somebody while entering the washroom. I looked around for Maddy but he was nowhere. I found a guy on the phone near the mirror.
Although, I could understand most of his conversation in hindi but many words were still strange for me. I put my phone on the recording mode and placed it on a windowsill near to him but he couldn't see it as he was short heighted. I waited inside the washroom and recorded his whole conversation.
When he left the washroom, I followed him but he mingled among the students.
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"Hey, how is Vibu" she flinched.
"My God Alex, you have frightened me"
She was wearing a maroon tunic with white leggings and her signature stole was absent. She rushed inside her house and brought her stole.
"Don't you welcome your guests?" I complained and she paled.
"Oh sorry, wait a second" she rushed inside again and brought a chair.
"Please sit"
"Where is your chair?" I eyed her
"No I am fine" she hesitated and I felt she was bit embarrassed. May be she doesn't have another chair. I didn't ask her again.
"Gawri, when I was coming here I heard some guy talking with Maddy over phone" she was all ears when I mentioned Maddy.
"Maddy, what was he talking about?"
"He was talking in hindi" she sighed in disappointment because she believed that she couldn't get any information as I couldn't understand her language.
"Hey don't be upset. I have recorded his conversation" I smirked at her and she beamed at me.
'God, if she won't stop smiling I will surely kiss her right here.'
"Play the recording"
I played the recording and with every sound her face hardened like stone. She balled her hands into fists. Her knuckle becomes white and her face become red with anger.
"Gawri, what happened?" Although I have fairly understood the conversation but I had many doubts.
"Nothing, you should leave now" she ordered me bluntly.
"Gawri what was that conversation about?" I asked her in same tone.
"Nothing, you can go Alex" she dismissed me
"If you won't tell me then I will ask Mrinal" I snatched my phone from her and turned on my heels.
"You won't say a single word to Mrinal. I would tell you about it" She hissed behind me.