If the Sun Has Faded Away (UNDER REWRITING)

Chapter 10 : Gifts

I hurriedly buttoned my blouse and tossed my hair back over my shoulders.

As I gave one last glance at my reflection in the mirror, a smile crept across my face.

White blouse. Black jeans. My hair flowing freely, dancing on my shoulders.

This was just how I liked to dress—simple and comfortable.

A glance at my wristwatch made my heart race; time had flown by much quicker than I had anticipated. It was already a quarter to seven. That meant I had only fifteen minutes left if I wanted to be at Paul's house at seven sharp, as John had asked.

I dashed down the stairs, eager to reach the living room.

As I hurried down, I caught snippets of two voices coming from the living room. One belonged to my father; the other was unmistakably Krishna Kumar Uncle.

Once downstairs, I headed straight for the living room to greet him.

Krishna Kumar Uncle and my father were seated at the dining table, engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion.

A piece of paper lay on the table, positioned before them.

My father pointed to it, capturing Krishna Kumar Uncle's attention.

"So these are the measurements I believe will suit the glasses we'll give to Miss Harvey next week," my father said.

"I noted them all on this technical sketch I drew. Regarding Miss Harvey's prescription, which you and I just reviewed, the size of her frame will be 51-16-135..."

I lingered a few feet away from the table, not wanting to interrupt their conversation, waiting for the right moment to greet Krishna Kumar Uncle—even though it felt odd to have to greet him a second time in less than an hour.

Neither of them seemed to notice me, completely absorbed in their work.

"I see..." Krishna Kumar Uncle said thoughtfully as he picked up the technical drawing, examining it carefully. "This all looks good to me. Nice work, Fernando." He tapped my father on the shoulder and gave him a warm smile.

At that moment, he noticed me standing nearby.

"Hello, Divya!" His face lit up with a broad smile.

"Hello, Uncle," I replied, returning his smile warmly.

I was about to say, "Hello again," but for some reason, I swallowed the words. Maybe Krishna Kumar Uncle would mention our earlier meeting himself.

"Divya?" My father finally turned his gaze toward me.

"Sorry, darling, I didn't even notice you were here."

In silence, I grazed his shoulder with my hand and offered him a soft smile.

"Are you going out, Princess?"

I noticed a slight frown cross my father's face. The way I was dressed clearly indicated I was about to go out again, this time after coming back from Jessie's birthday bash.

"Yes, Appa," I replied, using the Tamil word for "father," as always. My voice came out almost as a whisper.

"It's okay, darling. You don't have to be scared to tell me."

My father's gentle smile surprised me and made my heart skip a beat. He understood me so well.

"I'm sorry, Appa. John asked me to meet him and the boys at Paul's house..."

I stammered, unable to hold my father's gaze.

There was no hint of disapproval in his eyes.

Yet I still felt almost ashamed to admit that I had plans to meet John and the lads so late in the evening, knowing I might not return home for at least two hours—well past midnight.