Malayali in London ~ Part-10

Chapter-2:

… House in London …

I ring the doorbell and my mother opens the door, “did William tell you he got the job?” I smile, “Long before he told you that’s for sure.” She laughs and lets me in. I go to my room, grab a book and sit on the swing, it’s my favourite thing in the room, even more than the books.

My mum comes up fifteen minutes later with some snacks and sits down on my study chair. I put the book aside and reached for the snacks. Mum and I chatted for about an hour before the doorbell rang again and she headed downstair to open the door. I put my book back on the shelf and followed her steps.

William and Dad are home, and I swear the only time I’ve seen my brother this happy was on Christmas when my father bought him a big Lego City set when he was eight. The four of us just sit down and discuss things like William’s pay, and my ambition to be a writer, my father is serious about making me one. He says that he’d been googling publishers for me while William was giving his interview. Before we know hours pass by, I personally love times like these, when the lot of us sit down and forget about the tasks at hand and just talk. Mum gets up and tells us to get ready since Father’s friend must be on his way.

Mum is wearing this white saree of hers I’ve always loved. It’s made of white silk with a simple golden border. She has a string of jasmine flowers in her ashy hair which she has let loose. I just went upstairs and combed my hair and changed into the green, knee-length dress that Amama had given me on Saraswati pooja last year. I wear it over my jeans. The dress is a plain emerald green with thin golden-coloured borders. My father and brother just had to wash up since they were already dressed.

I had brought a book with me when I came downstairs. I sit down on the couch and cross my bare feet. Open the book and place it on my lap. I perch my elbows on my knees, making my hands into fists and place my chin on them. I begin reading. I’m done with half of the book. Father promised to take me to the bookstore once it was finished.

I finished a couple of chapters by the time the doorbell rang at five o’clock. My brother gets the door and lets Mr Dumas and Sarah in. I still have my nose in my book so I don’t exactly notice them right away. He comes and sits on the single sofa and Sarah sits right next to me. My brother claims the seat on my other side and my father comes and sits on the living room chair by the coffee table. Mr Dumas is the first to speak, “Your daughter is quite the avid reader, isn’t she? The last time I saw her she was only three years old; she was pretty quiet back then but it seems like she’s become an introvert over the years. Not that it’s a bad thing, though, you were an introvert yourself, Daniel.”

Only when Mr Dumas mentions that the last time he saw me was when I was three that I look up. It makes him smile. “Hello there Indrakshi, how are you doing?”  There is just that calming and forgiving vibe in his voice, I doubt Sarah is ever afraid of his temper at all. Sarah! She’s been sitting right next to me the whole time and I didn’t even realize it. I unfold my legs and I turn to my side to find Sarah smiling at me. I immediately feel a sense of calm; she seems to have a very calming presence.

Sarah has red hair, just like Mr Dumas, and a very pleasing, genuine smile. It looks like she is just off her shift because she’s still wearing her white coat over her pink top and jeans. “Which book are you reading?” She asks me like she is actually interested. I tell her the title and author of the book and she says, “I’m a big fan of books myself. I have a pretty big collection, not to brag, you can borrow them any time. Dad told me you’re fond of books.” I immediately liked her; she seemed to be a very likeable and genuine person. They’re going to stay a while. Mr Dumas had brought some drinks so I went upstairs. My brother is in his room, I have no clue what he’s up to but I don’t care. Mr Dumas and Sarah are clearly from the countryside, I can tell by their accent.

It's late when Mr Dumas decides it’s time to leave. Sarah gets into the driver’s seat, her father’s drunk so she’s driving them home. Quite silly if you think about it. I change and get into bed. I’m so tired that I pass out the minute I hit the pillow.