Mortified

chapter 3

After breakfast, I drop Rose to school, a very silent car ride. Then I go to the ‘big basket’ to get some of the things I need. First is the journal, then a few packets of cheese puff, and other things. At the billing counter is good old Uncle Samuel. “Hey kid. Long-time no see.” I give him an affectionate smile and put the things on the counter. As I am standing, I see him... that figure… I tell Uncle Sam to keep the things and that I would be back soon.

I follow the boy to the parking lot. Suddenly he is lost. As I look here and there, I feel a tap on my shoulder which startles me and I jump a little. As I turn around, I see eyes. They are green, a very unique shade of it. His hair is messed up and those lips, Oh my god! Get a hold of yourself.

He snapped me out of my gaze. “Could I help you?” he asks me. “Oh, sorry! I just thought I saw someone familiar. Sorry!” I turn and walk away, blushing from head to toe.

This has never happened to me before. Me, blushing. In front of a guy. I close my eyes, oh his eyes. I shake my head. I take the things and drive home. I have a long chat with mom who has taken a day off from her job. She works for ‘The Times’ where she has a daily column and solves the problems of the majority female population of the city! I tell her about what Emily and I do the whole time in the hostel together and then about how I really miss her scolding. She tells me that she was finding it very difficult to keep track of Rose but I tell her not to worry, she was a good kid!

Before Rose gets home, I do my laundry, complete all the pending assignments and then write in my journal what I have to do when I get back. I like the fact that I was getting back on track. I hug my inner self with pride.

I pick her from school. It was getting difficult to distract myself from thinking about him. We were sitting in a restaurant, she suddenly popped the question, “what’s going on? This is not for yesterday. You want to ask me something?!” she raises her eyebrows in suspicion. Who was I kidding! As well as I know her, she knows me. There are certain things I don’t know about myself but she does.

“Is there a boy around our house who has green eyes, and is about this is about this much tall and doesn’t talk to anyone?” I say making an approximate height with my hand.

“Well that is a very vivid description! I think you are talking about him.” And then she pointed towards the counter of restaurant. “He is Dallas, Dallas McCoy. Really cute and all but there is just one problem. He’s gay!” my eyes widen with shock and all my castles come toppling down.

Great. The first guy I thought I liked is gay! It was quick after all that. Eating food, then talking again. But I just can’t get my head around it. There is something more and I need to know it. I go to the counter to pay the bill. He is looking down and doing something on his computer. I pay and immediately walk out. I just smiled at him and paid the bill and quickly came out.

While I was walk towards the car, he calls out to me. “Listen, you didn’t take your change.” Great and I thought he came to talk to me.

“Hey, you are that girl from the parking lot! I’m Dallas by the way and you are…”

“Meadow. But people call me Miya.” I tell him trying to keep the excitement low in my voice.

 “Why? Meadow is such a nice name.” it sounds better out of your lips. I can’t believe I just thought about that.  “Okay, then you can call me Meadow. Now if you will excuse me I have to go.” And with an abrupt goodbye I leave.

That night... “Hi, honey” he says to me. Why can’t I see his face properly? “Dad” I call out. “Yes my angel in here, right here, don’t worry and go to sleep.”  I feel him caress my face.

“You won’t leave us again will you?” I ask, in a whisper. “Oh, no I could never leave you. Okay? Good night” and then I drift off into a very peaceful sleep.

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