Life of Problems

Chapter 53

Sit slowly, said Jiya letting go Joe's hand in the tent.

Thanks, said Joe nervously staring at the others.

How is your leg ?l asked scratching my head.

I have twisted it, said Joe trying to sound normal.

Can l see it? said Jwel hesitantly.Sure, said Joe.

Jwel took his leg and pressed the wounded area for a long time. All watched him doing that attentively. He nodded silently to himself and then suddenly twisted Joe's leg.

Aaaa! Shhh! Jiya covered Joe's mouth immediately to stop him from screaming. What are you doing? What if someone hear you? she said tensed.

Sorry, it was sudden and scream came out without my realization, said Joe guiltily.

No, l am sorry, said Jwel standing up. I should have warned you before doing it. Anyway ,how do you feel now?

Joe moved his ankle. What the! The pain is almost gone. Thank you so much, said Joe suddenly forgetting all the awkwardness.

What did you do? asked Kathy.

Just a simple technique for minor twist. I read it in a book and applied on myself once. Quite useful it is actually, said Jwel.

I will put a band aid on the wound then, said Jiya pulling one out from a box in a corner of the 

tent. Joe watched her silently as she did so.

Then let's go back to our hostels, said Jiya standing up. It's 9 already.

I...Joe again became hesitant. Well, l am an alien, said Joe .l opened my mouth to say something but Joe interrupted, no, l am not joking Ema. I know you guys want to ask a lot of things. I promise I will answer everything but can l have some time before that? I need mental preparation for that. And Nick, Jwel ...if you are afraid to stay with me, l can stay here. I will be fine here.

What are you even saying? scolded Jwel. You should take rest now. It was a stressful day for all of us.

Aren't you hesitant about staying in the same room with me? I haven't even explained anything yet!

Not at all Joe. For me, said Nick, yes, l am shocked and curious to be honest. But l can't manage 

to be afraid of you. You're the same Mr. Interesting ,we have spent a whole year with.

If you wanted to harm us, you had plenty of chances to do so. Specially, Jiya, Jwel and Nick, said l. But you didn't. So, l think you're still reliable.

Joe stared at us surprisingly  .

You know ,he said gratefully, l have been hesitating for a long time about the thing. I thought if l tell you everything, you will hand me to scientists. I didn't expect you all to accept me so easily 

even after knowing truth about me. Thank you all so much. I can't even explain what you guys mean for me.

I smiled. It's surprising to see sometimes, that our worst feared consequences come out to be our imagination only. So, it's better to say what you intend to without fearing the consequences.

*

Jiya ,do you think we should believe him? If he didn't have any bad intention then why did he lied to us all the year? asked Kathy.

He was just afraid, l said.But still. I mean I also don't feel like disbelieving him but my brain tells that we are being 

reckless, said Kathy.

But ,l said helplessly ,he didn't do any harm to us in all these times. He had enough chances to do so.That can be cause we didn't know about him, said Kathy. Look, l also feel bad to say these about Joe but l am really confused.

Jiya was deep in thoughts all the time and didn't join our conversation till now.

But he is in another planet, it's hard to believe, l said stubbornly. What do you think, Jiya?I think we should wait for him to say something, said Jiya thoughtfully. Kathy's suspicion can't 

be ignored but there are reasons to believe him as well.

Like  ?l asked hopefully.

Firstly, only because he lied that doesn't mean he's dangerous. Think of yourself, stuck for some reason in another planet. What will you do? Could you believe aliens? Also, when we found ou,he didn't attack us but was about to kill himself. That is kind of harmless behaviour.

He was about to kill himself? Kathy asked surprisedly.He was running to jump in the river, said Jiya. I stopped him with much difficulty.

Thanks God that you were able to stop him, said Kathy.

I think you said you don't believe he's safe for us, l said.But l can't wish him to die! cried Kathy. He's still our Joe.

I was alone with him then too, said Jiya again. But he didn't do any harm. So let's just wait, alright? Don't rush.

I nodded.

I understand, said Kathy.

*

Is there any problems Nick? asked Nick's father over phone.

Dad, said Nick hesitantly, have you already heard about my exam?

Yeah, your headmaster called. Why did you missed your exam? Is everything okay?he asked concerned.

Dad, everything is okay. It's actually...he explained everything to his father.

I am so sorry dad that l took a decision like this without informing you. The extra one year....

It's okay dear, said uncle. It's nice to see you finally doing something for your dream. I have been telling you for years.

I will take another part time job to manage some of the cost. Will that be okay,dad? Nick asked worriedly.

Mr. Parker sighed. You aren't even eighteen but have to worry about expenses all the time. Forgive your dad for this, dear, he said remorsefully.

Dad! Nick frowned. Don't think like that, you're the best dad l have ever seen. How's mom anyway? (Nick's mother had leukemia. Normally, uncle's salary was enough for a family of three. However, aunty's leukemia showed up 6 year's ago and her treatment expenses is great. So their family income became inappropriate for all of them. Uncle also had to take loans for her immediate treatment which made their financial condition even worse. )

She is stable, said Nick's father, taking her therapy timely. Will you come home this holiday?

Not actually. I have my job of that cafe . But l will come and visit for a day next weekend.

Sure dear. Any time.

Thanks dad for understanding.

You're welcome.