Chapter Eight: Two great joys
1406 Words
“So, which one do you like the most?” Aira asked her brother, trying to read his expression.
“This one definitely is yummy.” Jay held up the cupcake from the third batch.
“It had cinnamon and nutmeg.” She opened her little pink notepad with white daisies on it and made a small note to remember for later.
“So, how’s your bake sale coming up?” Her brother asked.
“Yeah, I am all set. But I am kinda nervous,” She answered honestly, her mind had been a little chaotic since the last few days especially after that nightmare and the weather hasn't been great either.
“Don’t be. In a few years, I bet you’ll be the proud owner of the London’s best bakery.”
“Uh-huh? Don’t I have the best brother?” She said with a smile. Currently there were only two greatest joy of her life, first one was her family and second was her love for baking. Both of them provided her with a sense of contentment that she was happy with.
“That you do.” He gestured at the brown packet on the table and said, “Mom left it for you, she said you were having pain in your leg.”
“It’s my ankle. It acts up when the weather is wet and cold.” I said, resisting the urge to rub the said ankle as it seemed to itch as if reminded of the pain it had suffered because of my stupidity.
“It’s still beyond me how you managed to get hit by Mrs Anderson’s car of all people. And that poor old lady, she was so devastated even I remember it.”
“At least someone was.” She murmured, sounding bitter to her own ears.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just eat and go. You’ll be late.”
He gave her a look but let it go as he said, “There’s an ointment, crepe bandage and even painkillers if you need them. And mom specifically said to tell you to rest today, you don’t need to practice anymore. You are already the best in this.”
“Okay, sir. Anything else?”
“Yes.” He picked up his bag and said, “Now, I have to go, so give me a hug.” Without waiting for his big sister to come to his side, he rounded the counter and gave her a tight hug and pressed a kiss on top of her head. Aira soaked up her little brother’s love and squeezed back, glad that she had him in her life. “Bye.”
When he was at the door, he said, “Oh, I just remembered, Dad said he will see for the place to rent out for your sale, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Why didn’t they say all this to me themselves before they left?”
“Because you were sleeping and you’re a cranky monster when someone wakes you up from your beauty sleep.”
She gasped in fake outrage and pretended to throw something at him but laughed instead and waved at him as he left.
Humming to herself, Aira went to close the door but paused when she saw Cara playing in the front yard with Ceaser in the next house. She walked out to the low fence dividing their house from the Colson’s. “Good morning, munchkin!”
“Auntie Aira!” Cara came running toward the fence and Ceaser followed. The dog was as big as Aira was and easily reached the fence with his legs hanging over it.
Aira gave the dog a few rubs as she asked, “You didn’t go to school today?” It had taken a few silent sittings, a few boxes of her favourite pastries and a lot of trust for Cara to be able to talk to Aira so freely. The little girl was a little reluctant to give everyone her attention and Aira was glad that she chose her to be in that small list of people. After all, this little girl was her best friend’s daughter and she wanted her to feel comfortable with her.
“Uncle Mac don't come.”
“Didn’t, baby. And what do you mean he didn't come?”
“He comes late at night but he comes. Tonight he didn’t.” Cara nodded to herself as if happy with herself that she used the word she was just corrected for.
“So, he was coming back home every night in the last week?” Aira question, wondering why didn't she see him then, not even once. Maybe he was deliberately avoiding her.
“Last week?” Cara asked, looking adorably confused.
“Never mind.” Aira let it go, reminding herself not for the first time that she should definitely stop thinking about him and asking questions about him. “Do you want to have some treats?” When Cara nodded happily, she said, “Go tell your grandma and come back.”
“May I bring Ceaser?” Ceaser barked, licking the side of her face and she gave those one of her rare smiles to the dog, reminding Aira of her father.
“Sure.”
As Aira watched her run back into the house with Ceaser on her heels, she made a mental note to call Zurich. She has already damaged her friendships by years worth of silence, she should start mending it with everyone now that she was back for good.
She had thought that by staying away from people back at home, she will be able to easily move on and forget about the man who so carelessly had broken her heart and never cared how it had hurt her not just emotionally but physically. He never even once came to meet her when she was in that hospital room nursing not only her broken heart but also a fractured leg. But turned out, she had only managed to keep herself lonely in a foreign country and nothing else.
When Cara came back out, Aira walked to the small gate to receive her. Ceaser followed behind the little girl and after getting a few rubs, he went about to inspect everything he could find.
Aira grabbed Cara’s small hand in hers and walked inside the house. She asked, “How’s school, munchkin?” Cara shrugged as she climbed on the chair. “Not good?” Aira asked, “Is someone bothering you?”
The thought of this little girl being bullied like she had been filled her with uneasiness, but thankfully Cara answered, “No.”
As much as Aira adored anything with pink and white, she noticed Cara liked black and sometimes yellow. “Did anyone bother you in school?” Cara asked, taking the plate from Aira with both her small hands.
“Unfortunately, yes. But,” With a fond smile, she said, “Your uncle and afterwards your Daddy always protected me.”
“Daddy protect you.” When Aira nodded, the little girl added, “He protect me too.”
“I know, baby. Of course, he did and he always will.” Aira sat down on the chair beside her and watched as the little girl ate the pastry. She said, “But promise me if anyone in the school ever bothered you or tried to hurt you, you will tell us. Anyone, okay?”
“But Daddy is not here…” She said, and Aira noticed the sad note in her words.
“Daddy is probably busy with work, but I am sure when you call him he will come for you.” Cara gave her a smile at that. Aira caressed her head and said, “But you still have us all. Your grandma, your grandpa, and Uncle and even me. So tell us whenever you need anything.”
Taking the advantage of the moment, Cara asked, “Can I have a kitty?”
“What?” Aira asked.
“Kitty? Meow. I want one.”
Aira blinked, tried to find words and an excuse. When Ceaser raced inside, she said, “Well, you already have Ceaser. And dogs and cats aren’t friends.”
“But I saw them together in the TV.”
Aira said, “Maybe ask your uncle, hmm?”
.
.
A. Gupta
- Writer
