Life of Problems

Chapter 41

Sister, tell me first. No me. No me, three of us were asking Jiya for solving our problems. When we almost started to fight Jiya shouted, shut up! Shut up all of you! I am not running,am l? One by one ask me.

Then let me ask first,Joe said suddenly who was silently hearing all the arguments and haven't shown a bit sign that he also had some problems.

What? Jiya asked calmly.

Anyone of you feeling stressed? he asked.

I couldn't help sighing. No choice, right?

Well, l can feel the hardship you're going through even if she can't, said Joe looking at Jiya.

And what do you wanna say exactly, said Jiya coldly.

You don't understand? said Joe hotly. Study is supposed to be fun. Are you teaching them or putting them inside a pressure cooker? All of them look thin,pale. They have got dark circles,too.

Joe! I said. We are alright. It's hard but she warned us before that's it gonna be a hard time.

So you wanna say that l am torturing them in the name of teaching? Jiya asked calmly.Of course you are, said Joe.

Jiya remained silent for a moment then smiled. Alright then. Take over.

Sorry?Take over if you think my way is wrong, said Jiya lightly. I said it before but then you said these are boring or something like that. Now if you intend to take over then l obviously can leave,Jiya said in the same calm voice. I don't believe anyway that l am a good teacher.See Jiya...Joe started.

That's enough! said Nick angrily. When we asked you to teach ,you refused Joe. And now when we have chosen Jiya for that, you can't interrupt her like that. You're insulting her.

But if this carry on, you're going to faint soon, said Joe concernedly.Fainting after doing good in exam will do for me, said Kathy. I am satisfied with her teaching, 

don't interrupt.

Alright! said Joe indignantly. Faint. Do whatever you want,l am going, he thudded his fist on the table loud and stood up.

Joe! said Jiya eagerly. I wasn't doing sarcasm. Seriously you can take over their lesson if you want to.

Jiya! Are we that hard to be taught that you wanna get rid of us? said Kathy hotly. Are we wasting your time? Then just tell us. We won't disturb you anymore.

It's not like that, Kathy. I just thought he will have better techniques than me. He is a good communicator  than me, smarter too...

No, l want you as my teacher, said Kathy.

So do l, said Nick.

Me too, but can you go after him for now, Jiya? We will show you our problems when you return.Jiya stared at me for a moment. She was thinking to do that as well. She left.

*

Thinking of jumping? Jiya taunted Joe founding him sitting very close of the river. She panted slightly. You are just unbelievable sometimes.

Joe stared stiff faced without saying a word.

Ummm if you don't wanna talk then l won't disturb you. Don't just jump, alright? She turned to leave.

Jiya? Joe called and she turned in her way again.

What?Was l insulting you? I am sorry then ,l didn't mean to.

Though I am not good at understanding mind, but I felt like you were just splitting out your frustration on me. Hope things go well for you, said Jiya slowly. Take care of yourself.

Joe chuckled. You're right,my company is showing effects,huh? He said in a low voice and then he suddenly became quiet. His expression was sad,very sad.

Jiya felt quite uneasy. Always bad at handling emotions she couldn't decide if she should stay or go. She has never seen the cheerful Joe like this before.

The examination is in a month, said Joe.

You're frustrated for that? said Jiya perplexed. I thought your preparation was good and also...Joe? Are you...she didn't need to ask. Tears were definitely rolling down his cheeks. Jiya stood rooted for a moment unable to decide what should she do. Then she took a deep breath and approached him. Don't leave, don't leave ,help him, comfort him ,she murmured to herself. She started patting him on the head sitting beside him.

Do you feel bad for what they said? They didn't mean to hurt you and l am sorry for that too. It's 

just they felt a little...one year ,Joe said suddenly interrupting her. That means only one year.

What are you talking about? Jiya asked confusedly. Our entrance exam is in one year, is it about that?Joe shook his head. Nothing. Can you please keep what happened here secret? Maybe boys 

don't cry like that here...

Why? Jiya said warmly. Boys are human too. They have as much right as girls to cry.You think so? But people who cries are weak, l heard that, Joe said.

Strong people can cry too. That makes them more strong.

How?

Jiya thought for a moment. Think that your emotion is a paste, mixture of solid and liquid. Now the solid portion is your strength and the liquid one is your weakness. Bad things happening to you are heat and tears are vapour coming from the liquid weakness. Let the vapours fly away 

and you will be left only with the solid portion. Means you will be stronger.

Joe smiled. Thanks Jiya. You're really a good explainer, sorry again for insulting you.Alright but Jiya said suddenly becoming cold, don't dare to split out your frustration on me, again.I think l should cry more to see your warm version, said Joe smiling. Yeah, again he has turned cheerful. What if it's just a year? I will live happily, he thought. But it hurts whenever l see them.

Come on now, l have business, said Jiya.

You won't tell them about this ,will you? Joe said speeding quickly to catch Jiya.

I could get my revenge, though. You leaked my secret ,Jiya said talking to herself.

I will jump in that river if you do so and let me...yeah, yeah, said Jiya irritatedly . You don't know 

swimming ,l know that. Alright, not this one for revenge. I won't say. Alright?

Alright, Joe said.