SEBIAN

Is she trying to tell me that I am the one because of who she is going to be in trouble? But I never caused her any kind of trouble, not yet anyways. I never bullied her nor did I want to be a reason for anyone to. Her face was fully drenched in tears, I hate making someone cry. I stopped my car at the side of the road. “Hey, don’t cry Alin.” I took my hands near her face but she just jerked back and covered her face with her hands. The invisible wall was back between us. The wall that I tried so hard to break and was almost successful in doing, thanks to the recent event was back up. She was scared of me, again.

I parked the car in front of my gate; Alin got out of the car and started walking towards her house. “Hey, I know you’re not in the mood but we have a project to work on, remember? I shouted behind her. She turned and looked at me. “Come on! My house is not that far from yours, you can go anytime you want but we really need to start working.” Seeing that I was being reasonable, she contemplated a bit and then turned around and walked towards me and with a smile I led her inside.

“Hello grandma.” “Welcome back. Oh, you brought Alin with you.” Hello, Mrs Reece” Alin greeted her. “Hi dear. It’s so long that I haven’t seen you. What happened to your eyes? Looks like you were... crying. Oh dear God! Sebian did you make her cry?!” she asked in an angry voice. “No, Mrs Reece, Sebian didn’t do anything. I got the flu actually.” “Then you should rest dear.” “Actually we are partner for a project that’s due to submit soon, so we have to work to finish it up.” “Well then, Sebian take her to your room. Go dear; I will bring you a cup of tea for the cold.” “Thank you Mrs Reece.” Alin told and looked at me. “Ye- Yeah, come on.” We went upstairs to my room. “Your room is pretty neat, I didn’t expect that.” She said seeming surprised. She seemed to have calmed down now. “And how did you expected my room to be?” I questioned her. She looked at me and without any hesitation said, “Messy.” I rolled my eyes.

After about an hour of studying I was bored. “Don’t you get bored sitting like this continuously for ages?” “We have not sat like this for ages but only for an hour.” She told, taking another sip of the tea. “Did you finish reading the topic I gave you to?” “Yeah yeah.” “Then note down the important points from there and then we have to describe them.” “No, we will take a break.” I closed my books and hers as well. I want to ask you a lot of questions. She tried to retrieve the books but I stopped her. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

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“Who do you have in your family?” she looked at me questioningly. “Me, my father, mother and a younger brother.” “How long have you been working in the mart for?” “Since the first year of the college.” “Why do you like to hide inside that sweatshirt of yours? I even saved you as turtle in my phone.” She smiled, “That’s because I like to stay out of sight.” “Okay... That diner is owned by your father, right?” she nodded. “Who’s Lessi?” “Aren’t you a curious one?” she said. “She was my father’s girlfriend.” “Oh!” “And now she is my mother.” “Ah... of course.” “Now shall we get back to studies?” “One last question. What do you want to do after college? What’s your dream?” She thought for a moment and then with a smile replied, “I want to become a teacher. I want to go places and teach kids who can’t due to certain circumstances. Studying opens up so many opportunities and is also fun; I want to let them know that. That’s why I am trying hard for the scholarship, so I can get a good spot and get a degree in education and after that I can live my dream.” I couldn’t say anything. I just sat there resting my chin on the table and kept looking at her. She has so good thoughts and I was going to mess this all up for her. I instantly felt guilty. “So, shall we start again?” she extended her hands and grabbed the books. I nodded and we resumed.

Another hour went by and a yawn escaped my mouth. “You are tired?” “Not me, but my brain is.” “Alright then, we can stop here and then start again tomorrow.” She packed up and I accompanied her down. “Bye Mrs Reece.” “Alin dear, you guys are done? Stay for dinner then.” “I am a little tired today Mrs Reece, some other day.” “Okay dear. Sebian, go leave her and come.” My grandma told me. “It’s okay Mrs Reece, I can go.” “Bye.” She waved at me and went out of the door, closing it behind her. “Such a sweet girl, isn’t she son?” My grandma smiled at me. “Yeah very sweet,” I mumbled. I got back to my room to get my phone and saw two missed calls from Natalie. I sat on my bed and with a sigh called her back.