The Umbrella Partner

Chapter 7 - An act of bravery

This one's dedicated to my little sis from Wattpad.

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Here's the thing about teen kids.

If they dislike you, they spew the sassiest one liners with no regard for social etiquette, you would legit start wondering if you had run them over with a truck in the past.

If they like you, they shower you with so much affection with no regard for social etiquette, you would legit start wondering if you had been besties since kindergarten.

I fall under the second category with the hippie kid.

We texted frequently. That is to say, he sent me loads of latest memes and I spent several minutes researching the meme in question, and debating an appropriate reply, so that I didn't look uncool and outdated to him. The pressure was real.

I wouldn't call him a close friend I could count on, when I needed someone. But in the current situation his presence was calming.

Because I couldn't meet Prakruthi's eyes. Not that she would judge me for being vulnerable. Would she? What if she did? Did I mess it up?

Oversharing. A vice of which I wasn't guilty. But in the car, when I started speaking I felt the urge to say more. I had to remind myself several times that the woman sitting next to me was a newly formed acquaintance. Not a therapist.

I was saved the trouble of breaking the ice by the kid. "My dad has a favourite child. And it's not even his own child."

"Did he like... rent a child?" Prakruthi tried to match his weird humour. I scoffed nonetheless.

"He didn't give me the car keys even on my birthday. Ruthi gets drenched in rain once and he gave her the car just like that. Indefinitely."

"Not indefinitely. He will take it back after the rains stop." She hung her head as if driving a car to school was something shameful.

"Buddy! Do you even have a licence?" I was genuinely curious if he had one.

"No. But how hard can it be? It's like riding a horse."

I glanced at Prakruthi trying to determine if I heard that right. She shrugged in a way that said 'Honestly what did you expect his reply will be?'

"Do you know horse riding then?"

"Nope. But I watched a lot of fantasy movies." He looked like he was struggling to keep a straight face.

"Next time when you ask your dad for keys explain all this stuff to him. He would be relieved to know that his car is in the safe hands of a fantasy film fan." I suggested.

I didn't know who started it first. But we didn't stop laughing until our orders were served.

We sat there exchanging stories about all the interesting things that happened to us that week.

Prakruthi informed how she had been asked to substitute for Science teacher who was on leave for two weeks. "It's like I have to be a completely different person while teaching this subject. I usually encourage discussions in the middle of the lesson. But yesterday while teaching animal kingdom, I had to demand pin drop silence. Feels weird."

"Yes, it does. It's not in your nature to be strict while teaching. You are more suited to teach interactive subjects where students can actually voice out their opinion. Nevertheless, I'm sure you are doing a great job." I tried to encourage her.

"Thank you." She nodded. "I'm glad to have friends who have so much faith in me."

"And family." Her cousin added. "My parents are one step away from building a shrine for little Miss perfect here."