My Life is a Perfect Lie

Episode 15

I sit in front of the last wall to be painted. Every now and then me and Kabir look at each other and smile, remembering what happened last night. Teena and Mr.Carter walk in together. Kabir's smile fades. I can tell from his face he doesn't like to see them together. I can feel how he feels because I feel the same.

"Hey Teena", Kabir waves at her.

"Hi Kabir, hey Candace", she says.

"Hi", I say, my eyes on Teena shifts to Mr. Carter's face.

He gives me a fake smile. I know how he smiles. I smile back a forced smile.

Silence spreads in the room.
Teena keeps he backpack in the table. Mr. Carter almost sits and stands up. He squeezes his eyes, presses his nose bridge with his index finger and thumb.

"I have to go. I'll see you guys later", he says.

"Okay", Teena nods.

He leaves. Probably, he doesn't want to see me, he is finding my presence disturbing. But whatever happened that night wasn't my fault. It's  the spirit.
I don't even remember the whole thing about that night. Teena comes to me.

"Hey Candace. How are you feeling now? ", she asks.

"I am good", I smile.

Her phones rings. She looks at the unknown number.

"I have to go. I'll see you guys after sometime", she says and walks back to the table.

"But where? and why? ", Kabir asks.

"None of your business, teeny"

Kabir looks down at the floor. He has begun to feel the sting in her speech.

"It's okay, Kabir ", I try to console him. "Might be it's urgent and personal"

"yeah", Kabir almost whispers with heavy throat.

Just then Mr.  Peter walks out of the elevator. Teena gets in the elevator.

"Hello Miss", he walks up-to us.

"Hello Mr. Peter "

"There are some changes in the project"

"Changes? We are almost done"

"Yeah there are some last minute changes"

"But..."

"Mr. Carter has changed his mind"

"What? Why? "

"I am just doing what he asked me to do"

"Okay. Tell me what are the changes? "

"He wants to make the walls colorful. He wants it to be repainted with new designs and various colors besides black and white"

"Are you serious, Mr. Peter? "

"Do I look like I am kidding, Miss Candace", he raises his eyebrows.

"How could he?"

"I think you are getting paid for it, so just do as he says"

"Paid? I.... ", I grit my teeth.

"You make designs and paint like whatever you want. Just make it colorful, that's the only requirement"

"Okay", I take a deep breath and exhale.

"I think he should rethink about it. This is so unfair. She has worked so hard on it. scrapping it and starting all over again is not a joke", Kabir says.

"She is getting paid for it. Sir has already paid for all the hours she has worked ", says Mr. Peter staring dead at Kabir.

"It's not about money only if he knew. Does he think his money can do anything for him? "