Lovatic Escape: Two Weeks With Demi

Chapter 5: LA's Beckoning

(Shreya's P.O.V.)

I was in the middle of a class with my toddlers when I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket. Pulling it out I saw that it was an international call.

"Kids, do not make any noise, I've got to take this call. I'll be right back." I said as I hurriedly stepped out into the hallway to take the call.

"Hello?"

"Am I speaking to Miss Shreya Rao?" a deep voice said.

"Y-yes, that's me. How may I help you, sir?" I asked.

"Miss Shreya, this is Mike from Demi's team. I am calling you about lovatic escape."

"Yeah, sure, go on."

"So, I'm gonna be needing your passport details and an ID proof in pdf format for the issuance of visa."

"Sure, I have the details with me, but how do I send them?"

"Just send them over via WhatsApp in this number."

"Oh, ok. Thank you so much. See, I've got a class going on, so I gotta go, okay?"

"No problem, Miss Shreya, we are looking forward to you joining Demi and the others at Lovatic Escape. Take care, have a great day."

With that, he hung up. I put my phone back into my pocket and walked back into the classroom. Riyan, a curious four-year old looked up to me with his big brown eyes and asked, "Who was that, ma'am?"

I smiled and ruffled his hair, "Just some grown-up stuff, buddy, nothing for you to worry about."

"Otay," he said in a thoughtful manner and went back to his worksheets.

A few minutes later the bell rang and class was over. The next period was nap recess. The kids began to put their books and worksheets away and slowly gathered around me as I sat on a low stool.

"Shreya ma'am, sing for us." One of them said.

I looked at their eager faces. Sure, I wasn't any professional singer now, but singing to these tiny kids gave me joy. They are so pure and innocent and I love them to the core. Surely, I wasn't their biological mother, but that didn't stop me from loving them as my own children.

"Alright, gather around, my little stars," I said as I walked towards the piano sitting in a corner, "I'm gonna sing a song from Frozen, just for you guys."

I began to play and sing:

"The snow blows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I'm the queen
The wind is howling like the swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in
Heaven knows I tried

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl, you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know

Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn my back and slam the door

And here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let it go, let it go
The cold never bothered me anyway..."

As I neared the end of the song, I saw the kids dozing off one by one. I sighed. Sure, it would hurt to leave the kids behind, but I'm meant for a much bigger purpose in life.

I quietly covered the piano keys and walked out to the classroom. I walked down the hallway, towards the Principal's Office.

"May I come in ma'am?" I knocked softly on the door.

"Yes, come in."

I entered and closed the door behind me. Mrs. Verma, the principal, was sitting at her desk, going through some papers. Upon seeing me, she beckoned me to sit.

"Ma'am," I begun hesitantly, "I had come to talk about my resignation..."

"Oh, Shreya, don't sweat it. You don't have to resign. I have talked to the board. Your leave is allowed and I'll be your surety."

Tears of gratitude filled my eyes, "Thank you so much, ma'am, I'll forever be grateful to you."

"Shreya," Mrs. Verma set the papers aside and adjusted her glasses as she looked at me, "You are like a daughter to me. I have known you ever since you joined this school and I have seen how good you are with kids. You are an asset to this school. Go, have fun and enjoy your adventure. We will be right here when you come back."

"Thank you so much..."

"No problem, Shreya."

The bell rang, signalling the end of the school'sworking day. I walked out of the office and dashed towards my classroom to wake up the sleeping kids and disperse them.