The Partham Chronicles

Part 19 - Buckle up

" Where are you running to young lady," Leysa chided from the kitchen,
" don't you dare skip breakfast. You are not leaving home on an empty stomach."

Vysna was on her way out. She slumped midway and turned around to walk towards the kitchen.

" I have kept your tiffin there, on the kitchen counter and milk on the dining table." Leysa pointed at the glass that was kept on the table.

" Milk? Mom seriously? What am I, five?" She retorted.

" No, but you sure are acting like a five-year-old. Drink it, no excuses," she said sternly.

Navil, who was sitting at the dining table, chuckled," She treats me like a five-year-old; Vysna, you are no exception," he said.

Vysna sighed and drank from the glass." This is yum... Butterscotch." She emptied it within minutes. It had tiny butterscotch crystals and a creamy taste.

" Mum knows best, darling, mum knows best," Leysa said with a satisfactory grin." I have packed a tiffin for you, the site is quite far away and remote. Who knows, if you will get anything to eat there. I don't want you starving." She said.

" It's hardly thirty kilometres from the city," Vysna said.

" No more talks, put it in your bag. Go on..." She said.

" Fine..." She picked it up and stuffed it in her bag.

" Vysna, how long does it take to get there from your school," Navil asked.

"About half an hour to forty-five minutes by bus, it depends on the traffic." She answered.

" I think we should buy a two-wheeler for her. So that she can commute in her own time. And a two-wheeler is better to navigate through traffic as well." Navil suggested.

" Hey, that's a good idea," Leysa said, " it will be very convenient for you, you don't have to depend on anyone. You will be able to manage timing on your own." she looked at Vysna.

That was not such a bad idea. Up until recent times, she never felt a need for a scooter. She traveled mostly by bus or taxi or even either of her parents dropped her off at the college sometimes.

Aaden already had a bike because he had asked for it and Dad had rewarded him with one when he had won the nationals. Her father, too, had a bike, but it was old. An old Triumph Bonnie, which he had bought with his own money a long time back. It was old but was in mint condition. When Aaden had suggested lending it to him instead of buying a new one. Her father had straight away refused saying that it was his first love. Her mother had stared daggers at him for that remark. He had given Aaden a street triple, which was a sturdy and smooth bike. Tashvin never showed any interest in bikes he rather enjoyed walking. Tash didn't even want a bicycle. He knew how to ride but didn't want to use it for the commute.

" I think it's a good idea. But I will be buying it," Vysna said," I am getting a salary from my job. I will buy an E.V. on EMI. A monthly instalment will be deducted from my account."

" Are you sure? You should rather put it in savings." Her father suggested. " I will buy one for you."

" No, Dad. Thanks to Mom, I am being paid a hefty salary, being a water affiliate has its benefits. I can afford a scooter. It will give me a sense of independence as well."

" Fine, as you wish," Leysa said with an assuring nod." Don't overwork yourself. Are they treating you well? They are not burdening you too much, are they? You are under no obligation to continue if they pressurise you," she said.

" No Mom, I am under no pressure as of now. And I won't overwork myself," she said.

Navil nodded." We will go and have a look at the vehicles tomorrow. By next week we will get you one."