Promises Made and Broken

Kisses And Goodbyes

It was a warm day for an October morning. Usually, sunday mornings are cold, deserted and silent. But today was different. It was sunny and cheery in some way.

It was one of those rare winter Sundays when I woke up at 7. Not that I wake up this early in summers. I just don't see the point, to be honest.

Sundays are supposed to be lazy. They are supposed to be completed wasted. But like I said, today was different.

Arrav and his friends were leaving today. They had to board a train at noon. So mum wanted to make Arrav's favourite dish.

My mum asked my father to go to the farmers market to get some fresh vegetables and I decided to accompany him.

"Do we need another KG of tomatoes?" Papa asked me, thinking.

"I don't know, should I call mum?" I answered his question with another question.

He took his phone and called mum. While he was talking I causally looked around.

I spotted Rashmi, Aryan and Mihir. Rashmi was buying potatoes while both the boys stood on her right side with big red bags full of vegetables I suppose.

Mihir was leaning on Aryan's shoulder. Aryan didn't seem to mind.

Papa put a hand on my shoulder and I turned to him. "Come on, we are done." He handed me two of the five polybags that he had. And they were heavy.

"Aren't they our new neighbors?" He gestured towards the direction where the Devans stood. I looked at him and nodded.

"Well come on, mum's waiting."

We walked to our car and papa put the car in ignition. While pulling out from the parking lot he said, "I need to talk to Mr. Bose. It'll be quick. Will you wait or should I drop you home first?"

"I'll go with you, it's ok." I slide out my cellphone from my sling bag and connected it with the aux cable.

Selecting Titanium by David Guetta I turned up the volume and started singing along

I noticed my father smiling to this.

"It's good to see you happy."

I kissed his cheek and continued.

He pulled into Mr. Bose's apartment and parked. He was my father's senior at the ministry.

He was a middle aged man with a chocolate complexion. He wore big, thick round glasses. Considering his age, he was very fit.

Papa got off and took a file with him. I continued sitting in the car.

I could see Mr. Bose walking towards him from a distance. Papa handed him the file and they talked for about a minute.

After their conversation ended, Mr. Bose waved at me and I waved back.

Papa jogged back to the car. His face portrayed a mixed set of emotions- confused, sad, relieved.

"Is something wrong, papa?" I placed my hand on his forearm.

He clenched onto the steering wheel hard, so hard that his knuckled started turning white.

"Papa?"

He took a deep breath and turned to face me, trying to look calm. "I'm alright. Did your mother call?" He started to pretend as if everything was fine when it wasn't. I could sense it.

I denied and he attempted to smile.

"Well, your brother steals the attention she gives us." He mumbled, slightly smiling and shaking his head.