The Door to Love | ✔

Chapter 21

"You invited me to the dinner, eh?" Ted asked, definitely impressed and I snorted.

"I can at least offer some food, can't I?" I said and tugged at his shirt. "Come in and please don't say anything inappropriate in front of my parents."

He realized that I requested him, so he nodded sincerely. I sighed in relief and instructed him to quietly sit in the dining area till I helped mum in carrying all the plates and glasses. I went to the kitchen and started to sort out all the cutlery for dinner. Mum stirred a pot of aromatic curry and from the corner of her eye, she watched me like a hawk. I shrugged and she asked, "Is Ted your friend or..." Her voice trailed and my eyebrows rose high up.

"Of course he is just a friend, mum! You know I don't date," I reasoned out and I couldn't hide the excitement laced in my voice. I could clearly see that she was itching to ask questions upon questions but I turned my back towards her. I quickly arranged the necessary vessels and exited the kitchen.

I balanced all the plates and spoons somehow to avoid another trip to the kitchen. It was weird to suddenly open up to my once conservative mum and start conversing about boyfriends and stuff to her. It was odd, it was difficult.

I entered the dining area and dad immediately switched off his phone. He came running to me. He quickly took some of the dishes from my hand and lay it on the dining table. Ted too got up but he was in a dilemma whether to help me or not. I motioned him to stay seated.

The room was silent until dad spoke up, "You both are friends or..." His voice trailed off just like my mum and I scoffed.

"Ugh! We're just friends! Nothing more, nothing less," I stated firmly and sat besides Ted. Dad smiled in amusement. Ted  too raised his eyebrow and I explained to them that how mum too asked the same question.

Mum too came in and joined us. We laughed at how the society thinks that a boy and a girl can never be just friends. People always fish for new gossip and sometimes it's annoying. Damn annoying, when they jump on random conclusions.

"I have never seen you around, lad. Where do you live?" Dad asked and I glanced at Ted worriedly.

"Uh - "

"Obviously, you haven't seen him. He just moved in a couple of days ago. He lives in the outskirts of our town since he isn't well off. I met him while he was doing odd jobs like washing cars a few blocks away to earn money for college. Poor boy, he lives alone," I made up a story quickly in my mind and narrated it to them.

The story would definitely reduce the amount of questions that my parents will shower over Ted. They wouldn't even have the guts to ask about his parents and their jobs after this sad story since it would be rude.

Ted glowered and squeezed the shit out of my hand. I muffled my cry and cracked a weak smile at my parents. They looked at Ted sympathetically, absolutely believing every lie I uttered.

"Are you sure that you both are nothing more than friends?" My mum asked and laughed.

"Why do you ask?"

"Since you both are secretly holding hands under the table," Mum pointed out and I looked down. My wrists were probably bruised considering how tightly Ted was holding it. He was taking out all his anger on my poor hands.

Ted let go of my hand and I pulled it back. My dad cleared his throat. Ted and I were both embarrassed and I didn't have a reasonable excuse of our actions.I hid my hand from my parents since it had turned red. I was irritated by the same question of us being in a relationship or not popping out. Popping reminded me of Poppy and I asked, "Where is Poppy? She's nowhere to be seen?"

"I called her earlier but she didn't reply. POPPY, HONEY COME DOWN," Mum called out.

Soon, Poppy slowly entered. She was clad in her pyjamas and she looked sick. Her eyes droopy and I could notice faint tear stains on her cheeks. She didn't seem enthusiastic as always and something was definitely wrong. We all stared at her curiously but she didn't say anything. Her attention darted between Ted and me and she asked, "So, are you both friends or... "