Opposites Attract

Chapter-8

I was on my way home thinking about the pros and cons of telling Vito about Rachel. Not being able to tell her was eating away at my brain. Since childhood we have been sharing everything. From when we had our first periods to boyfriends. From playing with dolls to sitting and sharing family problems. We shared our dreams and goals and now, not being able to tell her this one thing made me restless. If she finds out through some other source and discovers that I've been hiding it from her, she wouldn't feel good about it. It was either our friendship that made us more like sisters than friends or the friendship among the five of us that blossomed just three years ago.

We would be graduating soon and maybe not see each other but Ato will always be there and be a part of my life forever. So it is obvious why I choose to tell her even though it meant causing problems in the larger circle of friends. If she's there, nothing else matters. I know I can trust her and she trusts me.

I'll tell her today.

I take out my phone and text her if we can go for an evening walk after dinner. I reached my doorstep just as I pressed send.

"Mom! I'm home!" I announced as I entered.

Mom was in the kitchen almost done with preparing dinner.
"I'm home" I said again peeping through the door.

"That's great. You'll have to soothe your sister later" she whispered.

Imitating her, I asked why.
She just pointed to the living room and smiled.

Another mischief.

I made my way to the living room and peeped in. Dad was sitting in the couch, his back towards me. In front of him stood my five year old sister Jungtina and my seven year old brother Odimar. Both were looking at the table that stood between them and dad.
When you have children below ten at home, this was a regular scene.

I went to my room to get changed and hurried to the kitchen to help mom.
"What happened?" I asked once I was beside her making salad.

"They made your father's office documents their colouring book" she said.

Uh-oh

One thing I learnt growing up was that you do not mess with dad's work. You just don't.
Getting his documents coloured was nothing new. I had done that so many times and hence the lesson learnt.

"Well, dad doesn't learn from his mistakes" I joked. Mom had always told him to keep his office work out of reach from the kids.

"I don't know what to do with them now. They're very quick and sneaky" mom said with all seriousness.

It was true. My sister and brother had finished their academic year and were enjoying their holidays in full swing.
Moreover, my parents were getting old. Not fragile old but they are not as young and energetic as they used to be. I could see the wrinkles start to appear at the corner of their eyes. Dad already had some streaks of grey hair behind his ears. I wonder why they kept such a long gap between me and my brother. Not that I'm complaining. I got to be the only child for a long time anyway.

Dinner was done in complete silence except for my mom's occasional cheery efforts to lighten Jungtina's mood. She was offered all her favourite food and also exempted from eating the veggies.
I was enjoying the scene when my phone vibrated signalling me that I have received a new message. I take out my phone and open it.

Vito- Sure! I'm done with dinner. Call me after you've had yours.

For a second I was confused then I read the message I sent her earlier.

Damn! I almost forgot.

What now? I forgot to ask mom. As if on cue, my mom was telling Jungtina that I would be her play date after dinner.

"Yeah! We'll go for a walk and have ice cream on the way." I blurted out.

Sister dear suddenly looked up at me, eyes beaming with joy at the mention of ice cream.
At the same time mom gave me a dangerous glare.

"No ice cream. It's winter and late evening." she said.

The next half an hour was spent in trying to stop Jungtina's tantrum.

Oh! The drama.

But I still get to go out. Alone.

**********************

Vito and I were strolling down the street with ice creams in each of our hands.

"People would think we're half mad if they see us eating this." she said

"They won't be wrong concerning you" I replied to which she rolled her eyes.

Alright, now's the time.

"So umm... Did you find out who the girl is?" I asked

She looked at me surprised but didn't say anything and just shook her head.
I spoke again after a short silence.

"Actually, I'm sorry I didn't tell you this that night but umm... I know who the girl is."

"Really? Who is it? It's Abigail, isn't it?"

"Umm... No... It's uh... First promise me you'll drop this topic once and for all after I tell you. You won't do or say anything to anyone"

"well, I can't say anything about not saying anything to that girl, whoever she may be but I won't do anything. Gosh! Do you take me for a gangster?" she asked.

"No... Of course not. I mean, you did not pull out anybody's hair in kindergarden for bullying me and you definitely did not change your attitude towards Tiren." I replied.

"Okay! I get it. Just tell me already."

"So, it was Umm... Ra.. "

"wait a sec" she said and went to the street waste bin to throw her sweet wrapper.

"Keep the town clean. Now, continue." she winked as she walked back to stand beside me.

"Rachel" I said.

"huh?"

"Rachel... It's Rachel"

Her eyes widened with shock and soon she started talking.

"What!? Rachel? But why? I mean how could she? Are you sure? I can't believe this. Rachel. And how could Tiren cheat on you with her? This is bullshit, Grace."

"I know right." I said more of a statement than a question.

"I still can't process this. Tiren cheating on you with Rachel. Gosh!" she said again emphasizing on each word as she tried to take it in.

"So that's what happened while I was gone."

Both of us turned around and froze. Khumtsa stood there with an expression I couldn't quite decipher.

Shit!

"Shit!" Vito muttered.

Should've done this at home.