Someone Somewhere Is Made For You

#10 He is my soulmate

Ella.

"You are late Ella; did you forget what day it is?" Uncle Jose asked me as soon as I reached and I looked at him curiously.

He sighed.

"We have important guests today," He reminded me.

Oh right! One of Mama's business partners is coming home today!

I hopped inside while Uncle Jose closed the door for me.

"Let's go." I said.

As soon as we reached home, my maid was waiting for me, looking anxious.

"You are finally here!" She exclaimed as soon as she spotted me. "Come on, quick... the guests are on their way," She urged me.

"Ha...so we still got some time-" I was cut off as she dragged me inside.

"Hey! What's going on!?" I looked around as our stylist was inside.

"Your Mama asked me to get you ready," she said. "We don't have a lot of time, come on," She told me at my bewildered look.

So five minutes later, I was sitting in front of the mirror, deep in thought while she was doing my hair.

Something is really fishy here... um...Mama wouldn't ask them to do this without any reason.

Oh my God! What if she's trying to set me up with her business partner!

No...There's no way she will go as far as setting guys who could be as old as my own father...

I let out a sigh of relief.

I know business is important to mama, but she won't use me as a pawn.

"Here...You are ready," The stylist told me. "You look beautiful dear. I have only used makeup to sharpen your natural beauty, the makeup is not obvious at all." she said proudly and I turned back to the mirror.

She was right, she has just made it look like my natural style and with my dress, I looked like a sophisticated and elegant lady.

I thanked her and by the time she left, my maid came back to the room.

"Ella, your Mama is here with the guests," she informed me.

So I was ushered to greet the guests.

I stilled on my way down as I saw Uncle George with my Mama coming to the hall. He was both my Mama and Dad's friend during the good old days. It was more than a decade since I last saw him.

"Uncle George!"

I am happy to see him.

"Whoa! Ella, you have grown up to be a young beautiful woman!" He smiled genuinely.

I smiled back and descended the remaining steps.

"Hi, Ella." I heard the other voice and looked up just in time to see the handsome young man smiling at me. "It's nice to meet you after all these time," he said.

I stared at him.

Whoa! Surely it's not...

Hey... there's no way he is...

"Julian..." I said slowly and his smile widened.

"You still remember me!" he said.

The last time I saw him was when we were both in the elementary school at US. He was so skinny and small then.

"You...err...grew up," I said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Ella!" My Mama exclaimed.

"Uh... What I meant is-" I stopped as Julian chuckled.

"I suppose I did grow up," he said and the awkwardness lifted again. "I must say, Ella, you too have changed, you look pretty," he said, "unlike the time you were in the school," he added.

Uh...I was a mess during the school time. I often got into trouble and fought with others.

I looked at him doubtfully. I dunno if he was complimenting me or teasing me.

"It's nice to see you after all this time," he said pleasantly and I smiled back.

"You too..." I said.

Soon everyone was settled and the discussion started. I was exhausted and on top of that, super bored.

I stifled my yawn in fear of offending my Mama; she won't take it lightly if I yawn in front of the guests. She might even call Sara, the etiquette teacher, back.

Oh no... I don't want that!

I sat up straight.

"Would you like to show me around, Ella?"

I jumped as I heard my name from Julian and nearly slipped out of my seat.

"Yea, show him around, Ella." Mama said and I nodded quickly and got up.

"Your house is beautiful," Julian said while walking around. "I haven't seen you since you changed the school,"

"Yeah, that was a long time ago," I said slowly. "The good old days..." I said.

He laughed.

"You were often bullied and left alone by others; you think it was a good time?" He asked me.

"That's the only time when I had both Mama and Papa," I said slowly. "When we came back to India, it was so difficult for me to adapt," I added.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," He said quickly.

"That's all right," I shook my head and turned to him. "What about you? I heard about Auntie..." I said while sitting on a garden bench.

He took a seat next to me. "She had a hypertensive emergency while I was in the high school," he said slowly.

I knew how much he loved his Mom.

"I am sorry," I said. I too liked his Mom. "Auntie always brought me my favourite cookies," I smiled slightly at the memory.

"And you Mama never allowed you to eat more than one," he said. "She was so overprotective of you," he smiled.

She's still like that...

But I didn't say anything and just nodded.

"What about Uncle?"

"Papa is busy," I said.

I can't even remember the last time we talked. It doesn't even hurt me anymore.

Sure... there's this pang deep inside me, but that's all there is...

There was a time when I cried for a week to see him.

Apart from the bulk amount of money I get regularly in my account, there's no news of him.

"I saw him at Dubai, his kid is about 8 now," He said and I looked at him with wide eyes.

"Don't tell me! You didn't know?" He asked me in surprise.

"I heard about his marriage a few years back," I said slowly.

I can't believe that I have a half-brother!

That explains why there's no more contact.

"Your mother is still keeping things from you, I see..." Julian said.

Mama hated anything to do with my papa after their divorce. She even changed our surname because of that. "Adams" is actually her family name.

"That doesn't matter anymore," I shrugged. "I have my own life, I will just do everything I want and I will become happy," I added, determined.

I won't be like Mamma or Papa; I won't ever give up on the person I love.

"Looks like you have planned it all," Julian chuckled. "Apart from playing the Violin, what are you up to?"

"You remember the Violin!?"

"Of course, you were a pro, our music teacher admired you and gave me a hard time," he laughed.

"That's because you followed me even though you suck at playing it," I laughed.

"But hey, I let you copy the math homework," he reminded me and both of us laughed.

"You were good with numbers and you finally got your position in your dad's company," I said slowly. "The time really has flown by,"

"You knew about me joining the company?"

"Of course, my Mama used to compare me with you all the time," I shrugged.

"With your ability, you can be number one too,"

"Mama doesn't believe that Music can be a career, she wants me to get a degree in IT so that I will be of some help in the company," I shrugged.

"And how's that going?"

"Not bad," I said.

I found my soul mate, Michael... and I am busy chasing after him...

"Um... now that we are back in India, I would like to hang out with you, Ella, I don't have a lot of friends here," He said.

"I would like that," I told him sincerely.

I dunno why I don't feel any awkwardness around him even though it has been long since we met.

Maybe it's because we were always a team in school... well, A team to receive bullying together.

Soon we had dinner and said our goodbyes.

"What do you think about Julian?" Mamma asked me unexpectedly when I turned around to walk back.

"Good," I shrugged. "He is still the old person I used to know," I added.

"He is the Vice President of his dad's company, the only heir," she said and I stopped in my track.

I slowly turned around to look at her.

Surely...she's not trying to set me up with him?

"It will be good if you to get together-"

"No!" I said instantly. "There is no way we will end up together, mama!" I added sternly, then realised my mistake as I watched her narrowed eyes.

"I mean... I am still in the second year of college and all... I don't want other things to distract me," I said matter of fact.

Mamma's expression turned sour at my declaration.

"Uh... I just met him now, Mama, I really cannot think of dating him!" I tried again and her expression cleared slightly.

"Nobody's asking you to date him, I just don't want you to meet someone else or get trapped in meaningless affairs," She said. "Even if it's not Julian, I will find someone suitable for you," She added before walking back.

"I have Michael, Mama; he is the one who is suitable for me."

I whispered undertone.

I was never stubborn about anything, but no matter what happens, I will not let go of this thing.

I won't ruin my happiness... I will live my life happily...

Unlike my parents...

For that, I will have to get closer to Michael.

Well, I have already thought of a foolproof way.

I took my phone and started to dial Alex; who is one of my Project-mate.

................

"Here," Alex waved from the first floor of the building. I can't believe he's working part-time at a coaching centre!

I took the narrow staircase and reached on the first floor of the old building.

I have never been to a place like this before, it didn't look safe.

"So what is it? What is so urgent that you had to come here and meet me on a Sunday?" He asked me.

I turned back to him.

"I want to get into your team," I said quickly. "The project team; with you and Vipin," I added as I saw confusion flashing across his face.

"You came all the way here to tell me this!?"

"It's an urgent matter to me," I said.

"Why should I?" Alex asked me. "I don't have anything against you, Ella, but it's true that you won't be of any help either,"

"I will try to do everything in my power to help out and-"

"There is a difference between trying and doing, Ella," Alex said firmly. "Only two members can present the project with Michael at the tech-fest, I am competing against Angela and Gokul, a team member like you will only slow me down,"

I stared at him. I appreciate that he's saying everything to my face. Normally people usually talk behind my back.

"Give me a chance, Alex, You won't regret it," I said.

He sighed.

"It's already difficult for Vipin and me to meet up after the part-time,"

"Any place is okay with me," I said quickly. "Let's work out a schedule that is comfortable-"

"Go back, Ella," Alex looked at me sternly. "I have a class to take," He said. "Don't come back here, it's not a place for you,"

"But Alex-" I stopped as he turned around and left.

What the heck am I going to do now? His team is the only chance I have...

I had even lied to Mama and said that Julian had invited me to hang out so that I could skip the golf club party this afternoon...

I cannot give up like this!

*****

ONE WEEK LATER

"Hello Uncle," I greeted the watchman as I entered the college and he nodded back, smiling back.

I waited in the canteen for Nisha to turn up.

"Hey Ella," I heard a voice and turned around to see Senior Sam.

"Good morning," I chirped happily.

"Whoa, you are happy, what's the good news?" He asked me as he took the opposite seat from me.

"I finally got inside a team for the project," I opened my phone and smiled. "They even added me in the w******p group,"

I now know why I was the only one who was not added in the group, guess who is the admin of the group? Yea, the great Angela!

I still don't know how Alex and Vipin convinced Angela to add me in the group, and frankly, I don't care, I am just happy that everyone else seemed to be okay with me.

A couple of members have put a welcome greeting and clap signs below.

...And I got Michael's personal number as he was also a member...

"I don't see anything peculiar, it's normal for people to welcome a new member,"

"But it's not normal in my case, they were angry at me before,"

He nodded sadly. "I heard about it," he said. "Michael made you suffer, but you should know that he is straight as an arrow, he will not let anyone have a free ride," he said.

I nodded. "I didn't mean any harm, Senior Sam, I was merely trying to help others," I said.

"I understand, but Michael is a bit... um...what can I say? a bit... out of ordinary," he then looked at me. "He is kind of a different version of you, Ella, now that I think about it, you are a bit out of ordinary too," he chuckled.

Whoa! That's awesome! Michael and I have something in common, wow!

"Ella," Nisha sit near me. "What are you all excited about?" She asked me.

"I finally tackled the problem," I said excitedly. "I finally managed to be accepted in the project group. Alex even added me on the w******p group," I showed her the phone.

"That's great, how did you manage it?" She asked me. "I thought they were angry at you?"

"I used the scientific method to tackle the problem," I said proudly.

Nisha and Sam looked at each other.

"What did you do?" Nisha looked at me suspiciously.

"I studied all the group members and focused on the group that has no prejudice...um...only a little prejudice against me," I explained. "I mean...I ruled out the groups that won't ever give me a chance," I said. "So, there were five groups in total, Angela's group was impossible for me to get in, Shreya was a bit angry with me as Michael made them repeat the work, Meera was Angela's person, so no chance there," I folded my fingers one by one. "That left two groups," I said. "One was Gokul's group, even though he had no personal grudge against me, he is a tough competition to Angela and would not accept me as I might slow them down," I said and looked at the last finger. "That left Alex's group," I said. "He and Vipin were my only chance," I said.

"Whoa! And they accepted you just like that?" Sam looked curious.

I shook my head slowly.

"I found out the places where Alex works and um...followed him around until he agreed to take me in," I added sheepishly.

"What the!" Nisha looked at me accusingly. "That's why you were so busy this week!"

"Ha, so you begged your way in," Sam chuckled. "For a week at that, um...that's quite impressive," he teased me.

"No! I just requested very politely," I gave him a look and he chuckled.

"All your group members were selfish, I cannot imagine why he would accept you," Nisha frowned.

"Michael had given us a mini-project to create a web app for the college. Alex and Vipin had a pretty good idea, but they were short of fund. I said I will add a little to help them, they were ready to share the idea with me," I explained.

"Whoa! You mean to say that they are using you to do their work," Sam said.

"It's the same in every group, the group members have to share the expense," I shrugged. "Besides, I will be really working with them for real, I am excited," I smiled.

Nisha just stared at me while Senior Sam nodded. "Good luck, Ella, I hope you will succeed," he said. "In both your chase and the project," he added.

"Hey!" I said. "Senior Sam! You said you will keep it as a secret!"

"I will," he touched his heart and bowed slightly before getting up. "I will see you around," he said to Nisha before walking away.

I turned to Nisha as soon as he left.

"Nisha! I got Michael's number!" I exclaimed and she laughed.

"I could see that you were dying to tell me that," she said.

I nodded.

"I can text him now!"

"He is not the type to reply back," she reminded me. "So don't get your hopes up,"

"That's why I especially read our topic of the project yesterday," I said, "so that I could ask him doubts about the topic," I said.

I touched his profile and started to type.

"Ella!" Nisha looked at me in surprise. "You sure are improving dear, I am so proud of you." she teased me.

"This is the purpose of my life, Nisha, Of course...I have to improve," I said happily, then pressed the send button.

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