CHECKMATE - When life plays game with you

2

- Mom, Samantha is here.

- Hi Mr and Mrs Banerjee!

- Hi Samantha, long time no see. Charlotte, you didn't say me you're bringing her, I could have made her favourite snacks for her.

- That's okay Mrs Banerjee.

- Oh come on, don't be shy. Sit, I will make you something.

My father said to my mother, about to go towards the kitchen, "Yes, yes, bring her some snacks. She is just like our own daughter."

- Mr and Mrs Banerjee, I am fine. I am actually here to discuss with you something about Charlotte.

My parents both looked at each other with worried faces. I could feel the tension in the air.

"It is nothing of that sort" said Samantha. They gave out a sigh of relief.

- Then what is it that you wanted to discuss with us?

- Charlotte and I were-

- We were wondering if I could go out with her this evening.

I wanted to change the topic, but she was more dominant than me.

- You shut up Charlotte. Let me do the talking.

- What are both of you talking about? Cut the rubbish and come straight to the topic.

I was getting a feeling that my parent's patience level was dropping. I think Samantha sensed that too and said

- Let's get a seat then.

My parents settled into chairs across from us. I pictured myself as that kid whose parents were summoned to school for misbehaving.

- Mr and Mrs Banerjee, I have been Charlotte's best friend since middle school. I have observed her closely, she always has been the topper of our class, and she is still. But somehow now the quality of her work degraded a little. So I was wondering if she could take a semester break from her school life. She is trying hard to bring back her quality but it is affecting her mental health. It is important to keep good mental health to function healthily and soundly. So do you give her permission to take a break?

Teardrops were about to expel from my eyes. I couldn't believe that I had hit the lowest point in my life where I have to take a break from school for the sake of my mental health. I was ready to hear a "No" from my parents. They will never allow me for anything like this, they have always been practical and goal-oriented people. I was also scared that this might be the end of my friendship with Samantha, they might say that Samantha is a negative influence on me when she was just trying to help. But their reply took me by surprise.

- We have been noticing that too. In fact, we were about to discuss that with her tonight. But clearly, it seems she would have denied the fact that she was stressed about school if we did the talking alone. Thank you honey for helping her as well as us. We would like to discuss anything further about this with her alone.

- I will take my leave then.

I went accompanied her to the door to bid her goodbye.

- See Charlotte, your parents are cool. You had an unnecessary fear about them.

- It's not an unnecessary fear. What if they scold me after you leave?

- No, they won't. Girl, it seems I know your parents better than you. Anyway, bye. I have to go now. Call me if the situation is too tight, okay?

I nodded. I waited to watch her disappear around the corner unsure of what will happen next, I wondered if this is the ending point of our friendship. I braced myself for my upcoming fate. I took a deep breath and went inside.

Sneak Peak to the next episode - "My parents' faces seem serious. They asked me to sit in the chair in front. Are they going to scold me for not being focused? Will they end my and Samantha's friendship because she is being a bad influence on me? "