Chapter -10:
...Times Change, Times Grow...
I knock on the door to Theo’s house.
Arienne, his sister who is now in college, opens it, smiles and lets me in. I
have actually sort of come here to say goodbye. Theo got a job, one that paid
better than his last one, in Birmingham. He’s moving there and today is his
last day in Southwark. I walk into the living room to find the others. Of
course, Theo isn’t moving too far away so he’ll be able to visit us whenever he
gets time off of work. That’s also the main reason Jennie and Theo decided not
to break up. They decided to make it work long distance for a while since this
job arrangement is only temporary. It's going to last for about three years
before he can get a transfer back to Southwark, London. It’s going to be the most
restless three years of Theo’s life but they’ll be worth it. He got a job as a
sales executive in a fine, not too great of a company a few months after
graduation. Now he’s got a fair job and hopes to get promoted to sales manager
in the next three years. If he does get promoted, he’ll be able to move back to
Southwark.
It’s
a little weird to be calling London ‘Southwark’ now. I’ve lived here long
enough to know that we live in the Southwark district of London but up until
recently I used to refer to all the thirty-two districts as London. Old habits
die hard I guess.
“Hey,
I guess I’m the one late,” I say as I sit down on the couch across from Jennie
and next to Sawyer. We all talked for an hour and a half. After which we walk
out. We all hug him before he drives off. It’s going to be a while before we
see him again. A tear falls down on Arienne’s cheek, Jennie wipes it away and
embraces her. It must be hard for her. She has lived all her life with Theo in
the house; it would feel a little empty without him. I’m watching Arienne when
Sawyer puts his arm around my shoulder, “I know it’s only for a couple years
but I sure am going to miss the guy.” I smile at his response. I sure am going
to miss him too. He was the very first friend I made here, his absence would
make a difference.
. . .
I’m
at Jennie’s house. It’s been a few days since Theo left and it has already done
a number on her. She misses him, I know that. “Did it feel this way for you too
when Sawyer went on that business trip,” she asks me in a rather melancholic
tone. Well, I know what she’s talking about. Last year, Sawyer had gone on a
business trip to Australia for two months. The time difference was huge and we
could barely talk. I didn’t see him for two months either. I missed him a lot,
to say the least, and kissed him the minute we came into contact after two
months of a void of communication. I understand how she feels but at least Sawyer was back after
two months, Theo will be gone for three whole years. I try to comfort her but
I’ve never been the best at doing that.
I
drive to my brother’s place after I leave Jennie’s. I just got a call from my
brother informing me that I’m babysitting Aksh tonight since both Sarah and
William have to work. I actually babysit him quite often. That’s the advantage
of having a sister who is an author by profession I guess, free babysitting. I
pull into their driveway and get out of the car just as William steps out of
the house. He is holding Aksh’s hand as he guides him to where I’m standing in
front of my car. Aksh lights up when he sees me. He frees himself from
William’s grip and runs to me. I catch him right before he trips. I kneel down and
we do our classic high five that I had taught him. Aksh is almost four years
old now. This kid is so full of excitement, it’s inspiring. Aksh has the same
personality as his mother. The same cheerful smile and calming presence. I
doubt that either of his parents can ever get mad at him. William walks over to
me, “You’re one of his favourite people, Akshi, thanks again for babysitting
him tonight and sorry to call you last minute.” I smile and look up at him,
“it’s no problem, I like looking after him. And besides, it’s not like my job
has certain working hours I have to report to, so I can take advantage of that.”
Sarah locks the door and walks up to
us, “Thank you so much for taking him tonight, Akshi. I wouldn’t have bothered
you but I got called in last minute,” She says as she hands me a bag of Aksh’s
stuff. I stand up and take it, “I don’t mind it at all, Sarah, don’t worry. I
love looking after my newfew. And I could keep him overnight if you two
want to catch up.” Sarah looks at William who shrugs his shoulder. She knows
what I’m talking about. She and William haven’t been able to get much time
alone together since Aksh was born. I look after him when they are at work and
after that they have him so it doesn’t leave much time for them to spend alone.
Sarah eventually sighs and says, “It’ll be his first night away from me but I
don’t mind, I would very much prefer for his first overnight to be with you.
Thank you for the favour, I mean it. William and I will finally get a night to
ourselves.” I smile and look at Aksh who’s holding my hand, “want to go to Appachi’s
house?” he laughs and says yes. I teach Aksh Malayalam while he’s with me.
I make him call me ‘Appachi’ (father’s sister in Malayalam) instead of
the English ‘aunt’. “Oh and if you’ll be cooking, don’t hesitate with the
spices, I’ve been trying to make him learn to eat spicy food recently since your
brother finds the food tasting bland unless it has the south-Indian level of
spices,” Sarah says as I tell Aksh to get in the car. I nod and walk to the
driver’s seat. We waved goodbye to Sarah and William and then drove to my
house. I moved out of my parent’s house almost a year and a half ago. I live on
a lease in an apartment a few blocks away. I live on the second top floor
since I like it high. It's a cosy little apartment with one bedroom and a
study. I unlock the door and Aksh swarms in. I laugh as he runs to the couch,
pretending to be an aeroplane. He falls onto the couch as I close the door and
laughs. I sit down next to him and he says, “Appachi, I’m hungry.” I smile and
reply, “Say that in Malayalam and bring you something to eat.” Aksh tries his
best to learn the language and he’s a pretty fast learner too. He tries saying
that he’s hungry in Malayalam and gets it right on his third attempt and I
bring him a small snack before dinner.
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