A New Ray of Hope

Chapter 17

Christopher walked out of the auditorium, followed by his friends, Durrell, and the Swans. Even the Suave Charmers were intrigued and followed them.

Outside stood Melinda, dressed in a bright primrose frock. She had arrived from London the previous night, thanks to insistence by her lover's friends and grandfather, and watched his performance from a distance. She wasn't angry with Christopher for breaking up with her. She knew that he was going through a difficult phase, and decided to let him recover. When she saw him, her joy knew no bounds, for she missed him miserably while attending medical college in London.

"Chris," she said. Her voice was very deep and melodious.

Christopher was in seventh heaven. The love of his life, the girl who loved him as he was when he had no one, and would do anything for him, was now in front of him. He couldn't do anything.

"Linda," he said, unable to say it louder.

"Go," said Priya. "Go to her."

He ran to her, and engulfed her in a big hug and a kiss.

Sumanika was horrified. "The Limey has a girlfriend already?"

"Yes, Sumanika," said Priya rather rudely. "And Linda loves him truly, unlike you."

The two lovers had moved into a corner, the memories of the last few years running through their minds like a film flashback.

"I was a complete idiot to break up with you," said Christopher. "Forgive me, love."

"It's okay," replied Melinda. "I knew you were in some serious trauma. I realised it the day you broke up with me."

"How were Grandpa and my friends doing this behind my back and I didn't notice?"

"Priya is the mastermind behind all of this. She befriended me on Facebook and I met her, your grandfather, and all of your friends. She's such a nice girl. She told me that you still love me, and booked the flight for me to come here."

"Thank Jesus for giving me a friend like her, I found you again," he said.

Both of them snogged for a while, when Priya's voice interrupted them.

"Oy, Chris! When you saw your girlfriend, you forgot your friend, huh?"

"Oh no," he said.

"It's okay," said Priya. "You both love each other too much to be apart. Where Melinda isn't, Christopher will never be!"

"Priya, you have no idea how much all you have done means to me," said Christopher. "Thank you so much."

"I have only done the duty of a friend, and did you forget that there are no sorrys and thank yous between friends?" said Priya. "Also, I just returned a favour done by you, Chris."

"Returned my favour?"

"The favour you did to my mother last year. She gave you a lift from the airport to the bus stand. She had to return home, but the car tyre was flat. You helped her replace the tyre. If you hadn't helped her that day, she would've been stranded!"

"Dr Latha is your mother? But you told me that your mother's name is Devi!" said Christopher, surprised.

"Latha Devi," said Priya. "She is here, and she was watching us perform. Let me call her."

Priya turned and called. "Amma!"

Latha, who was having a conversation with Durrell, turned and joined her daughter. "Hello Christopher," she said. "How are you?"

"Ma'am, she's your daughter?" he asked, still flabbergasted.

"Yes," said Latha. "Both of you are best friends, right?"

Christopher nodded. "Thanks to her, ma'am, I'm happy again. You must be proud to have a daughter like her.

Latha smiled. "By the way, Priya, who is this beautiful girl?" she asked, gesturing towards Melinda.

"She's the love of Chris' life, Amma," said Priya.

Latha began an amicable conversation with Melinda, and everyone were enjoying themselves.

Christopher now knew that he had found true happiness.