Nearly Perfect (on hold**)

4.) The settling down

We woke up lazily next morning to find a new-old addition to the family- Charlie was home. He’s our butler, for all means and purposes, has been there since we were toddlers. Hence we share a very strong bond with him. His flight arrived at five in the morning and dad himself had gone to pick him up. Now he was mum’s biggest aid in setting the house up. The whole family gathered, with mum assigning work to all of us. In a matter of few days all was done.

We spent the next week familiarizing with the place- the nearby shopping centers and other facilities. Also went on to explore the city, its cultural heritage and bizarre monuments. Honest confession- I wasn’t well. I am not fond of this place, not even slightly. I just want to go back home. I don’t know about others, but I hate change and especially when it is as massive as this. So when everyone is happy I am a spoilsport.

We were back from another tiring day and there were no new mails from Taylor, consequently I was cranky. Simply. I changed and dragged myself downstairs to find everyone all set for the dinner. Dad was speaking and as usual we were all ears. “So I’ve decided to throw a party for our relatives here in India.” Both Nic and Sam cheered at his suggestion while I chose to remain shut. “You don’t seem to be very happy kid” dad said. “May be because I’m not” I retorted back in a matter of fact tone.

“And why is that?” he continued. “Why don’t you ask yourself?” I exclaimed slamming the cutlery before getting up to go upstairs to my room. “Nobody leaves the food” dad said calmly, his mood controllers worked way better than mine. I slid back on my chair, angry tears streamed down my face as my siblings rubbed my hand to calm me down. I practically gulped the whole of it down not even caring to chew it and ran upstairs.

Moments later both Sam and Nic were in my room, Nic pulled me into a bear hug while Sam paced up and down my room. “Shshshhh…” he patted my back trying to calm me down. “The tone you used on dad was not right!” Sam suddenly spoke, her brow creased. “Sammy, this is not a very good time for morale policing” Nic tried to shut her up. “Look I don’t know whether this shifting decision id right or wrong, but I know what Al did downstairs was very very very wrong” she said shaking her head. Then sitting next to me she caressed me-“Our upbringing doesn’t allow that! And we know, whatever our parents think for us ought to be right.” She explained smiling.

“You’re so mature sometimes” I whined knowing she was completely right. “Someone has to” she chuckled pulling me into a sisterly hug while Nic looked on mouth agape. “Are you sure you’re my Sammy?” he teased. “Knock it off brother!” she exclaimed throwing a pillow at him as he ducked.

Going downstairs I made amends, apologized to dad and promised to make the party a big hit which I successfully did.