The Perpetual Love

Two: The Elite Meet

Last week, Matt and I tried to be as civil as possible and surprisingly, it was working well. We didn't fight that much and somehow, he tried to be a diligent student. As his tutor, I could clearly see his improvement and was glad that my teaching skills were working off effectively. 

Another thing that surprised me was the houses that we were sort into. We were now a part of the Elites House, and I, of course, had to interact more with him. We were like the two poles of a magnet and getting sorted into the same House meant that somewhere or the other, we had something in common and it sounded next to impossible. Neither our interests nor our hobbies were the same.  He liked playing cricket whereas I was more into acting, singing and dancing.

"Mary D'souza, what part are you going to play in the audition?" The President of the Elites Club asked drawing my attention out of my thoughts.

"W-What?"

"Weren't you listening?" 

That was the bitter truth. I didn't like these House meetings at all because we were supposed to give our opinion at each and everything, even when we didn't have one. Rather than being absent from these meetings, I chose to be absent-minded instead. 

"I just asked you what role you were playing in the audition for Christmas Carnival?"

"Me? Role? I didn't give my name for an audition."

"Mary, I would like to remind you that in the last meeting we had, Matt had proposed that you participate in this audition as you like acting and when we asked you, you said that you would."

I think it was one of those absent-minded moments where I said yes but now there was no backing out and I had to perform an act on the stage for an audition. On the stage. Oh no. 

"Is there any chance I could back out?" I gave the President puppy dog eyes. 

"Hell no, you are performing. Which role, I don't know but you surely will now."

What did I even do to offend him? I was already worried for my stage fright and now, my connection with the President of the House was all stained. 

"President Beth doesn't like dogs." Matt whispered to me. 

My eyes went wide with astonishment. That explains it all and I had already ruined his mood enough to bother him again. But one thing was decided for sure. I was going to play the role of Snow White. 

Honestly, I absolutely adored fantasies. Who doesn't? Cinderella, Snow White and Barbie, they touched my heart because like all those stories I also wished for a Happily Ever After. That someday, my life would change and I would be wooed by a Prince. But fantasies are fantasies. I knew they could never come true, yet, I wanted to live one. 

That decided, there was a scarier moment waiting for me at home. My Mom. How was I going to persuade her to let me participate in this audition? She obviously wouldn't have known if I would have decided to hide it but I didn't prefer hiding things from my family because lies have always got me into a tough situation. 

"Mom, I wanted to ask you something. So, on the day of the Christmas Carnival, our school is presenting some plays and I wish to participate in the audition for the same. Can I please do so?"

"Oh... I see. And what part are you planning to play?"

"Um... Snow White, you know."

"Snow White?"

"Yeah. Mom, please allow me to register. I can't back out either way because President Beth-"

"You know Mary, what I think of these fantasies. I have always believed them to be creating a wrong impression of love and happily ever after. No one in the world can have a happily ever after without any struggle. And I really don't want these kinds of stories to have an impact on you or your life in any way."

"What do you mean, Mom? Why do you always give me a lecture about this lovey-dovey stuff? I don't understand. You didn't even hear me out completely before drawing your own conclusions and started lashing out at me."

"But, baby...."

"Oh, sorry, I couldn't help but overhear."

"DADDY!!!!! What a good surprise! You came back from work early today."

"Yes, my little princess. But when I come home what do I find? You and your Mom fighting. I am disappointed."

"We weren't fighting, Alex. I was just trying to explain it to her that stories like Snow White don't exist in the real world and thus, she shouldn't audition for that stupid part.  And look at you! Encouraging her by calling her a princess."

"For Goodness's sake, Ellie, she is a child. I can't believe that we are even discussing this. I don't know what goes in your head but she is definitely performing the part of Snow White in the audition, whether you like it or not. And dare you to make any decisions related to her life all by yourself. I am her father too."

"Yeah. When did I deny that, Alex? You are her father and you will always remain one. Why are you taking this matter so seriously? It's not like I had a bad intention there. What's going on between us is between us and Mary is our child, Alex. No way in the world is she getting caught up in this matter."

"Yeah, I am sorry, Ellie. You are right. I shouldn't have reacted this way. I am so sorry. Now, princess, it's time to get you prepared for your audition!"

"Yayyyyyy!!!! Thank you so much, Dad. You are the best Dad in the world."

"Hey! You can't forget me. Don't I deserve a little credit too?"

"Fine, Mom, let me reframe that sentence. You are the best parents anyone could have ever asked for." And then we all shared a family hug.

That's how my parents have always been. They will have petty fights but in the end, everything just works out for the best. Though I never really got these fights, what they were about and how they would end drastically, yet I knew I loved my parents wholeheartedly. 

"Dad, the audition is scheduled for the day after tomorrow and I need the dress for Snow White."

"Aye, mine little princess. I shall buy thou a dress while returning from work tom'orrow. Whatever mine lady needs."

I smiled at the way he framed that sentence while my Mom used this opportunity to roll back her eyes in her head.