go away without apologizing

“Honey is that you?” Mom called out from the kitchen, as soon as I entered the house.

“Yes, mom I am home,” I replied, hiking the stairs with my heavy feet.

“Why are you home so early, honey?” Mom started her interrogation.

“Class ended early, mom,” I gave a short reply.

“Oh! Okay then freshen up and come here I am preparing lunch. Can’t wait to hear your story.” I was sensing the excitement in her tone.

I always had the habit of sharing my new experience with my mom. I really liked sharing things with her. After Kristen, she was my best friend. I would say after Kristen and Nigel, my sister but at that moment she was no longer with me, as she was in the States for her further studies. Our conversation had decreased since then and I used to miss her a lot.

I threw my bag aside and plunged on my soft bed. I was exhausted, so lying on my back, I closed my eyes. As I took a deep breath suddenly green eyes appeared on my mind. That handsome face and that twice blink of green eyes made me blush.

 For the first time in my life, I was having a crush on someone. God the feeling was so good and made me feel happy. As I was lost in deep thought about the boy reading books at the corner table, I was startled with my cell phone ring. I got up slothfully and retrieved my cell phone from my bag.

“Hello…” I said, pressing the phone against my ear and lied back on the bed.

“What are you doing?” Kristen was on the line.

“Nothing, just taking rest, why?” I said, twirling my hair.

“Don’t tell me you were blushing thinking about that bookworm.”

My jaw slacked in shock, hearing her. “God, how did she know that?” a question arose inside my heart.

“Second of silence means I am right, you were definitely thinking about him, right?” she chuckled.

“Kristen, please, stop teasing,” I grumbled in annoyance.

“Okay, fine, fine. Anyway, I am home alone and bored. Can I come over?”

I was astounded to hear her. “Of course, since when have you started taking permission to come here?”

“I don’t know. You know what? I have a feeling going to a new school, old Kristen is no more. She seems to be updated into a new version. I am also astonished to hear myself asking permission to come over… did I really do that?” she quipped giggling.

“Then I can’t wait to have lunch with new Kristen,” I mocked. 

“Don’t worry dear, you will soon get that opportunity. But before that, I would like to know what we are having for our lunch?”

Strolling out of my room, I took a glance downstairs before calling out, “mom, what is there for lunch?”

“Chowmein… honey,” came her instant reply.

“Did I hear Chowmein?” asked Kristen joyfully.

“Yeah…” I replied before talking to mom again, “Kristen is also coming over, mom.”

“Wow! That's great, it's her favorite, isn’t it? Tell her to hurry up and come before it gets cold.” My mom was more excited than me hearing about Kristen.

“I am on my way, Prisha,” said Kristen and hurriedly hung up.

“Really?” mom exclaimed looking up from her plate.

“Yes, mom and he didn’t let us have any introduction to anyone,” I mumbled in between chewing.

“That is rude,” mom said, picking up her glass.

“But one thing you know what, mom, there are so many handsome seniors and I have even paired one with Prisha. He is so handsome.”

Hearing Kristen I choked out. I hurriedly grabbed the glass and gulped the water.

“Stop it, Kristen,” I said in a grating voice, keeping the glass back at the table.

“Really? What is his name?” Mom raised a question out of curiosity.

“Mom, please don’t start. She is just kidding.” I tried to stop them because I clearly knew that once mom and Kristen start talking shit like those, they would not stop until pestering me like hell and making me shout at them.

“His name is Aster and he is so handsome, charming, dashing and I cannot explain what more. No word can fit his character. He is so polite and helpful. I am telling you he is the perfect match for our Prisha.” Kristen didn’t stop her blabbering even after seeing my gesture to stop.

“If he is that perfect then why don’t you marry him and leave me alone for god sake.” I was totally losing it all.

“Finally, I got my son-in-law. Invite him for lunch some other day, Prisha,” mom said in excitement.

I rolled my eyes in disappointment, “Mom…”

“Did you just say leave you alone? Like really? Are you thinking of marrying your new crush, that bookworm without my permission?” Kirsten grumbled folding her arms.

I dropped my spoon and stared at Kristen with my wide eyes. “Why does she have to say that?”

“Crush? Who is it? Who is it?”  Mom was growing more curious.

“I think I am done with my lunch. You two keep up with your chit-chat and enjoy it because I am going back to my room.” I got on my feet.

But mom pulled my wrist and didn’t allow me to move. “Okay, okay, sorry. Please finish your lunch first. We will not discuss anything.”

“Yeah, at least finish it, Prisha. It is a bad habit to waste food, you know that, right?” Kristen said, giving me a witty smile. She was really enjoying pestering me.

I sat back glaring at her and ate my lunch hurriedly. As soon as I finished eating, I ran back to my room. My heart was simmering in anger due to Kristen and I had made up my mind that I was never going to talk with her.

I locked my room and plunged on my bed. In a while, there was a knock on the door. I didn’t give any response and kept on scrolling through my phone. I thought she would knock again but there was no second knock. I felt strange.

“Did she return? This easily?” I thought deep inside and waited some time for the knock but still, she didn’t knock nor did she call out. 

“She is giving up this easily?” I was not able to digest this fact.

Slowly I climbed down the bed and waded to the door. I made sure not to make any noise so that Kristen wouldn’t be alarmed by my move. I peeped through the keyhole but there was no one around. I grew more furious.

“How could she go away without apologizing? Not even making an effort.”

I angrily pulled the door and suddenly she fell hard on the floor and hit her forehead.

“Ahh…” she got on her feet but suddenly she closed her eyes and passed out falling on the floor again.

I panicked and squatted in front of her. “Kristen, open your eyes. Kristen, wake up…” I called her out patting her cheeks but she was not opening her eyes nor was giving any response.