Secrecy of Regrets

25 Will we cook?

25 Will we cook?

"What is your age dude?" Ethan asked still in shock. Charlotte elbowed him in side of his stomach. I winced in pain but nonetheless concentrated on my answer.

"It's perfectly fine if you don't want to answer that stupid question." Charlotte covered for him.

"I don't mind telling it anyways. I am 24." I said.

"Whoa!! That's amazing. You seem pretty intelligent to me. You are just like Zacky when it comes to achieve the goals." Ethan blurted out and with that our eyes met and that tingling sensation is returned.

I was the first to turn my head in other direction. I saw it's almost 7 in evening and at the same time Charlotte told us the time.

"I don't like going out for Dinner. We'll make dinner at home today." She looked at me. Okay... by 'we' she meant me???

"Will we cook?" I asked putting more than necessary weight on 'WE'.

"Yes?" Charlotte made it clear by saying it as a question.

"Okay I'll help you to cut veggies and other small stuffs. Okay?" I tried to cover up immediately.

"Can you cook?" Jerk asked little smirking. Why doesn't he come home late just like other arrogant businessmen in books? I don't like him here!

But this is HIS house. Urghhh...

"Umm... I actually ..." My answer trailed in the air.

"What?" Ethan and Charlotte asked at same time and I jumped little on my sit.

"Okay, okay. I don't know cooking except coffee, tea, sandwich and instant noodles. Neither my parents forced me nor I tried it. If you'll ever ask me to make food for you then these things will be served." I said it too fast.

Ethan and Charlotte started laughing out loud and Jerk just shook his head as if he didn't expect better than this. "I have enough of this." I exclaimed but again my words fell on deaf ears.

"Hey, you two laughing maniacs, it's one of the many perks of being younger in the family. It's just that easy." I tried to reason them.

"That was expected." Jerk mumbled in low voice but I heard him. I turned towards him glaring.

"You thought being a girl I would know how to cook, how to wash clothes, Household works and this and that. And as per the most of people I should know these things because I am a girl! Right?" I could not control my anger and snapped at him.

"Okay, okay that's it. You can help with what you are comfortable with." Charlotte sensing my anger tried to cover up the topic. She dragged me towards kitchen. I saw amused expression on his face for the first time.

The second expression I discovered. Progress!!

Charlotte directed me in cutting veggies which took normally more time than expected. I was cutting last onion when my phone blasted with ring tone and it's my eager family.

Charlotte taking hint took that onion and knife from my hand signaling me to take the call. I gave her apologetic look and receive my brother's call by placing my phone away from my ear.

'Hello?' I asked closing my eyes.

'Hey! Why didn't you call once in a whole day? Mummy is so furious!' I expected this!

'Okay! I forgot okay? I had so much in my mind and I forgot. Sorry!' I apologized.

'You should have put reminder in your phone so you -' my brother's voice was cut by my mother's piercing voice. She certainly has snatched the phone from my brother.

'Tu mulgi aahes. Tula tithe pathvna maza sathi shakya nahi. Tu ek call pan nai karu shakat ka amhala? Visarlis ka tuzi aai la tu?' That's my mom giving me lecture in Marathi.

(You are a girl! It was impossible for us to send you alone. You couldn't call us even once? Do you forget your mother or what?)

'Aai. Tasla kahi nahi ag. Me kashala visarnar? Me ethe rent var ghar shodhat hote ani tyat visarli me call karayla!

(Mummy, That's not it. Why would I forget my mummy! I was busy in hunting down the apartment for rent and it just slipped out of my mind to call you!)

And thus the conversation goes on. My papa took the phone from my mummy and then my cousin sister and then cousin brother and then my elder sister and then to my niece and so many other people in my family. The call lasted for nearly 45 minutes.

I didn't realize that Charlotte has put the her recipe in oven and listening to my conversation even though the conversation was going over her head.

"What. Was. That?" She asked astonished by my native language. Ohh she might think I am an alien!

"That?" I wave my phone in my hand nearly fall out of my hand.

"That was my little joint family back in India." I replied her laughing nervously.

She let out a chuckle finding it amusing.

"How many people are there in your family then?" Charlotte asked further digging into the information about my crazy family as we headed towards living room. We sat on our previous spot.

***

17-05-2019 

Here comes more details about Indian Girl! 

Knowing Jiyana's family background what will be the reactions we get from other three?

Jiyana's family background will give a base to her values, beliefs and nature. How and why she have certain points reserved to herself will focus the light on her family's values and tradition. 

Let's see what happens next!

Happy Reading!!!