The Search

9. Prutha

It didn't take me long to rush Martin home. The shadow, James, had disappeared within the seconds of me seeing him and it made me wonder if I had just imagined him. I made Martin leave anyway. I did not want to risk anything.

Martin gave me a peck on my cheek again in the driveway before he rushed to his car. I smiled but checked the porch again; no one was there.

Smiling, I waved Martin goodbye and then turned towards my home. I quickly climbed the porch stairs and used my keys to get inside the house.

I poked my head in before I opened the door fully to see if anyone was there in the living room area; there was no one. Once I was positive that the living room was empty, I slowly opened the door and got in. Making sure not to make a sound, I closed the door behind me. Looking everywhere once again, I tiptoed across the hallway towards the staircase. Maybe I had imagined James' presence then, because James was nowhere in sight.

Someone cleared their throat behind me.

Busted!

I turned around to find James with his hands folded against his chest and a frown on his face.

Okay, so I definitely hadn't imagined him.

"James! Gee, you scared me" I exclaimed.

James raised his eyebrows.

"And you surprised me there, young lady" James said. His voice was firm, imposing the strict parent attitude he sometimes used.

There was no doubt about it; James had seen me with Martin.

"James... I, uhm..." I couldn't form a coherent sentence. Great!

"It was Martin Jordan, right?" James asked.

I blushed.

"You two were on a date, I presume" James said.

Well, wasn't this awkward?

"I will take your silence as a yes" James said and then he sighed. "I didn't think I would have to deal with my girls dating any time soon. Maybe when you were in college but certainly not now... but since you are now, I'll have to set some ground rules."

I was still not able to say anything.

"Well, first thing first; there should not be, uhm, any intimate activities carried under this roof or around this house. So, no kissing is allowed inside the house or out in the gardens" James said.

I nodded feebly.

"It could be unhealthy for the eyes of others. I don't want to stumble on you kissing some boy anymore. I hardly managed to stop myself before I ran and killed that boy for touching you."

I wanted to die out of embarrassment. Could it even get any more embarrassing?

"And you will henceforth have a curfew of nine o'clock" James declared.

It could.

"Have you even noticed what time it is, Prutha?" James said "It's way past eleven. I don't want you to be out till midnight."

It definitely could.

"Also, you will get your date to meet me before you go out" James said.

I nodded.

"And no going on dates when I am out of town" James announced.

I nodded again. It was all I could do under the stern gaze James was having on me.

"That would be all. I will let you know if I think of any more rules" James said.

Damn, there were more to come?