By Your Side..Forever & A Day!

4. Speak out!

Tamanna's PoV :

I was sleeping peacefully when I heard someone yelling our names. ''Tamanna... Trisha... Where is my scooter?''

Oh freak! It's dad!

I woke up in a haste & checked the time. It was 9 am - breakfast time. Dad will leave for his daily duty in 30 minutes! How do I get his scooter from the garage so soon? I was supposed to pick it up at 11am. I'm screwed up! Oh God, I need you to save me today, not the Queen!!

Trisha & I came out of our rooms almost at the same time. Judging from my face, she knew I needed help. She was well aware of the fact that I wasn't good at covering up my mess.

We descended the stairs & sat with our Dad at the dining table.

I nudged her with my elbow & Trisha answered, ''Dad, Ashley had come home last night after you were asleep. She needed to go to some party, so I let her borrow your scooter.''

''Who Ashley?'', asked Dad. Thank you for saving my energy, Dad. I was also going to ask Sha the same question.

''My friend from school, Dad. You always forget who my friends are!'', Trisha replied with a frown. Only I knew she was bluffing 'cause she had no Ashley as her friend.

''Next time don't let your friends borrow my scooter. It's not a public transport!'', he said with a stern face.

''But she's my friend, Dad & a friend in need is a friend indeed!'', Trisha protested.

''In the name of friendship they trespass over our properties & later rule over us. That's what the British did for more than a century in India'', Dad tried to take our history class.

''& you think history will repeat itself with Ashley borrowing your scooter?'', Trisha sarcastically added with a chuckle.

''I've seen the world more than you, Trisha. Don't argue with me'', Dad commanded & Trisha simply nodded.

I think parents should get this dialogue patented- I've seen the world more than you..

Phew! At least he stopped talking about the resale-valueless-junk-scooter. All thanks to my temporarily angel sister. Wait! Did i just use Mr X's words for the scooter? What's wrong with me?

Coming back to the topic...

''& how many times should I remind you to call me 'Baba' & not 'Dad' ? Don't forget our Bengali culture. You kids are getting so westernized - parties, clubs, western dances...'', Dad added.

But before Dad could continue his daily doze of lecture about culture & westernization, Trisha interrupted. ''How have you planned of going to the hospital, Baba?'', she stressed on the last word & I let out a chuckle. ''Ashley will only return the scooter after 11am.''

''I'll ask Dr Emma to pick me up. She goes via our lane anyways'', he replied. He took out his cellphone & texted her.

''ooooooo'', Trisha sang like always. ''Dr Emma & you? Wassup Baba?'', she teased and winked.

''Don't you dare tease me, Trisha. I am not a hormonal teenager like you now. You know we are just colleagues. Moreover, you know I'm a 'one woman man' & I still love your mother'', he said. This time it wasn't just a stern face, it was with sadness filled eyes.

Trisha understood she had to get cured of her tease-disease; at the least not spread it to Dad.

''I am really sorry, Baba'', she apologized from her heart.

Dad quickly finished his regular breakfast of toast & orange juice without saying a word. It was an indication that I needed to change the topic.