Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

CHAPTER 25: Try again tomorrow.

"Come on,lets go!". Victoria motioned to me with her hands.
"Just a minute!". I said to her, Still buckling the straps on my sandals.
"Come on, we're gonna be late!". She said, pulling my hands. She seemed really excited, and it was no surprise since she would be hearing from her Dad today. I would also be going to make a phone call to my mom through the house mistress's phone. It was that time of the week.

"Alright, alright I'm done". I said, hands up in utter surrender.
"Then let's go!". She said and dragged me to the house mistress's quarters.

There was a long line of people waiting to have a phone call. At this point, I wished they actually allowed phones in the school. Things would be so much easier. Things would also be so much harder, for the teachers, if you know what I'm saying.

It was a beautiful sight though. Not something you would see on a random day. Pesky little girls chatting away while standing on a very long queue for several minutes. Some were rehearsing what they would say to their parents when they finally get to the phone. Others, writing down lists of things they would ask their parents to bring for them in the coming visiting day which was a week away. Meanwhile, there was me and Victoria, one of us praying to hear good news about her parent's health, the other just hoping that someone would pick up. The latter being my humble self.

"You've got five minutes, max". The house mistress said as the phone got to me.

"Yes, ma'am". I replied and quickly dialed the only number I had in mind. My mom's phone number.

I waited as the phone was ringing on the other side. But lo and behold, there was no response. I dialed the number again as the house mistress watched me like I was going to run away with her phone.
This time, there was a response. I got relieved.

"Hello mum-" I started to say, a hint of excitement already building up in my eyes.

"Hello dear, can you call me later? I'm quite busy right now". My mum said hastily from the other side. You could easily tell that she was truly busy.

"Okay, but I won't take time-"
Beep. The call was cut short as she hung up on me, also cutting short my excitement.
I shamefully handed over the phone to the house mistress.
For once, I saw pity in the devil's eyes.

"Poor child, don't you have anyone else to call?". She asked.
Well, I did. That was my dad . But he was a no go area. We basically hated each other. But somehow, I had managed to memorise his number, just in case. But still....

"No, ma". I replied, walking away sadly.

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"Are you finally done?". I asked Victoria as she walked up to me after finally dropping the phone.
She had been on call for almost ten minutes. The house mistress had to keep reminding her of the people waiting for the phone behind her, giving her one minute grace for at least five times.
I had no choice but to just sit nearby and wait.

"Yes, I'm done". She said, squealing excitedly, like a child. Oh, I forgot she was a child.

"What took you so long, ma'am?". I asked her, with a sarcastic tone in my voice.
"Well, guess what". She said, smiling cheekily.
"What?".
"It was my dad who picked up the call!". She screamed.

Ohhh, I finally realised why she was taking so long on the call. She was speaking to her dad Instead of her mum, who she referred to as 'boring'. That explained everything. But wait, so that means...

"He's back on his feet! He said he feels fine now!". She said, literally jumping.

This was the best public display of joy I had ever seen. Happiness, is definitely the best feeling.