Sparks Fly

CH 3:Sara for the Win

"Definitely not him," I say into the phone. Mother pays no attention to my hysterics and cuts the call. Standing in my kitchen I fill a glass of water and bring it to Neil who has made himself comfortable in my living room.

"I hope everything is clear and sorted now," he says and lifts the glass of water and empties it in one go. The Adam's apple moves up and down with the movement of his throat while the veins in his hand become more prominent.

"You know you really don't have to be here. I'll talk to my mother. You don't have to do this," I tell him. To show him how 'serious' I am about this I throw my fist up in the air and be as dramatic as possible while saying, "free at last."

He gives me a blank stare and moves towards the dining table. Taking out a chair he sits on it and moves the bag from his shoulder onto the table. He points to the space opposite him making it clear what his intentions are.

"Your mom did tell me about your love for the dramatics. Too bad for you, I'm not into drama. I would say let's start with physics." I remain still which makes him kind of annoyed with me. He claps twice to get my attention and says, "I haven't got all day and mind you, you're paying me by the hour, so hurry up."

We sit down with a physics book and start with the queries I have. I must say Neil is smart and has got a flair for teaching as he explains everything to me with precision and calmness. We started at 4pm and have no idea when that 4pm became 6pm. He started to gather his stuff and told me he'll be here tomorrow at the same time.

"Is this an everyday thing now?" i ask him

"Your mom wants me to teach you science and math's, so yes, we almost need to meet everyday," he tells me.

"How much is mother willing to pay you?"

"Ask her yourself," he replied simply.

"What will you do with the money?"

"None of your concern."

"Will you buy more cigarettes?" I asked him.

He looks at me and with a teasing tone says, "why, you concerned?"

I immediately blush and look anywhere but at him. Can't let him see me like this. I ask whether he wants a cup of coffee and he declines. He gets up to walk out the door but it is opened by none other than Sara who walks in with a cute top and face painted with makeup.

"Looks like I caught you at the right time," she says. Sara being Sara twirls and asks how she looks but not to me. The question is directed to Neil.

"You look pretty," he says.

I look at both of them conversing so casually, it doesn't sit well with me. Sara then addresses me.

"I'm going to be late so cover for me please. I told mom I'm going out with you." I nod and let her know I heard her. Both of them start to leave my apartment together when I grab Neil's hands and he stops immediately. There's confusion on his face but his eyes shine. I excuse the both of us and drag him towards the kitchen.

"What is going on?" I drop his hand and ask him bluntly.

"I think you should ask Sara,"

"Well, I'm asking you."

"And I'm not telling you," he says with a smirk on his face.

"You have to, she's my little sister and honestly you're too old for her." He's silent for a while and then smiles at me as if i don't know better and says,

"I think your sister is smart enough to know what she wants. And the heart wants what it wants."

With that he leaves me alone in the kitchen and both of them exit together. Locking the door behind them, I run towards the balcony to catch them in time. Sara sits behind Neil in his motorcycle and rides 'literally' into the unknown. I again ignore all the house chores and slump back into my bed.

At night I'm scrolling through my phone when I get a call from Sara. Accepting it she just begins with her story of how lovely the date went, how he was a gentleman throughout it. Dragging her chair for her. Letting her order for the two and they even shared a dessert together. Could it get anymore cringe. After her tale has ended, curiosity gets the best of her and she starts asking me about Neil.

"I don't know much about him, Sara, he's just a neighbour. Why don't you ask him yourself," I tell her.

"Do you think he'll tell me?"

"I don't see a reason not to."

"He's cute," she states

"Maybe to your eyes he is."

"Deny it all you want."

Not to arouse her suspicion with a disinterested tone I ask, "so what are you guys doing next?"

"I think I'm going to invite him to my birthday party next week. You're also coming, right?"

"Wouldn't wanna miss it for the world," I reply sarcastically.