I promised Lexi I would teach her the next day, as I was tired. She was quite happy that I agreed, and thankfully, left without making any fuss. Now, in bed, trying to sleep, Lexi's words were giving me nightmares! How on earth did she find out about Mia? Mia had been behaving like the perfect ego-filled dumb-head, spreading rumours about me. But what else could I expect!
I got up and dug out my whiskey bottle. After downing the third peg, I began feeling the need to be out. The idea of gazing at the river filled my heart with some smiles. It was midnight, so the mother-daughter upstairs would have slept, I was sure.
I prepared myself another large, strong peg and began climbing the stairs in search of fresh air. The terrace was the best thing in this house. Moreover, Verona evenings are awesome. The cool refreshing breeze was slowly caressing my senses, making me feel good. I had a few sips, as I lazily walked from one end to another.
Silence, the sense of peace, allowed me to delve into my inner self. I was transported into thoughts of days to come. The thoughts were not without worries about my past mistakes and the uncertainty of the future. How will I get a job? How long could I hide my truth from Ella? How was I to take care of the unwanted attention from Lexi?
I was occupied with these thoughts when a muffled noise alerted me. It seemed like someone was walking up the stairs. For a second I thought I was hallucinating, but then the source of the disturbance appeared.
In the dim light of the staircase, her features appeared misted, but there was no hiding her slim figure in the grey shorts and sleeveless white t-shirt. Her skin appeared flawless. She was beautiful, I thought, as she stood in front of me.
Ella stood scanning me from top to bottom, as if she had seen an alien. A social suicide! I stood with a coloured liquid in my hand.
For a few seconds, both of us measured each other in silence. Her skimpy shorts and naval length wide necked top said she was not prepared to meet
anyone here and the nectar in my hand shouted out that I too had not expected someone to disturb my solitude.
'Hi sir. You here, at this hour? Is everything fine?' she asked politely, her nose crinkling a bit, making her look very cute.
My heart sank momentarily while I nodded. 'Yes, Ella,'
bvI murmured, almost hiding my glass. It was as if I was hiding my unofficial girlfriend.
'It's okay, feel free to drink,' Ella said casually, with a wave of her hand.
I nodded in appreciation. She stood undecidedly for a while, then moved to the corner.
She appeared mesmerising. Her slim figure, accentuated by her short dress, could be seen in a new avatar. Many hormones began slipping through my system. After all, being slightly tipsy never helps keep the demon under control.
The calmness of the night, the breathtaking view of the river flowing in the distance, the moon somewhere behind the clouds bathing her with its light, the cool breeze blowing past her to me -it filled the atmosphere with romance.
She stood absolutely silent, staring at the river, as if sending someone silent messages. I could guess she was a regular visitor. She knew exactly where to go and what to do.
I pretended to be Mr Cool, who had nothing to worry about in life. And at the same time, I continued checking her out. Her silence was very disconcerting. It was like a loud cry. Anyone looking at her could make out that something afflicted her deeply. I wanted to ask her the reason for her being so disturbed, but, I guess, it was not the right time.
I finished my drink, and I had been drinking slowly, but she hadn't moved a muscle. I couldn't have said much, so I was all set to move towards the staircase.
'Sir…' I was called. Even in my drunken state, I knew I had heard right. Ella had called me. I turned to face her.
'I needed a small favour; hope you won't say no.'
Can a drunk person say no? If she would have asked for all my wealth, which I anyway didn't have, I would have given it up without a second
thought. 'Yes, please.'
'You denied Lexi's request to teach her maths. She is weak in the subject. She already failed class tenth due to maths.' She went quiet, as if thinking back on the tough time.
'She is free to discuss anything at any time,' I said.
'I don't intend to pester, but she wishes to study the entire syllabus from you,' she sounded quite hesitant in putting it out.
'Exams are just around the corner. It's not possible to deal with the entire syllabus,' I said honestly, expecting her to see the sense in my reasoning and come up with some logical answer. But then, the bubble burst, and she behaved in a way expected from Lexi's mom.
I wondered if my reasoning had fallen on deaf ears when she said, 'Actually… you are her favourite teacher.'
I wanted to ask why! I had never taught her before or met her. 'Okay, the whole syllabus?' I asked resignedly.
Ella nodded.
I was reluctant. This would give Lexi a free pass to tag on to me, at all times. I didn't wish to get into another controversy. I might have been in a half unconscious state, yet I made a clear point, 'No problem! But I will teach her in your house, not in my portion. I hope you understand.'
Her smile reappeared magically, and I gave myself a pat on the back. After all, it was my double stroke. First, I would create a good impression, and second, I would get to be around Ella.
'Can I ask you one thing?' I decided to use this opportunity to find answers to questions that had been troubling me.
'Yes please,' she looked at me squarely.
'Only two members… in a two-storey house? I am sorry, but are there more? And this house belongs to you? I mean, isn't it too much for two people?'
Her smile was now a faint one. 'Actually, this house had belonged to my husband. After his demise, I got everything that was in his name. So, I am the owner of the house.'
Why had a modern, independent widow not remarried? The question began its rounds in my already fuzzy head, but we were not close enough for me to ask her that.
'What would be the fee, sir?'
I made some mental calculations, but to no avail. No matter how much I had soaked, I always fell short of money. So technically, nothing would be enough. This time, I decided to make a long-term investment, and hit the nail on its head.
'I cannot charge anything. After all, Lexi is my favourite student.' q
Nic and I were in the cafeteria the next day, waiting for the tea to be served. The staff had to be there for doubt clearing sessions, even during preparatory leave. I was not much of a talker, but I was missing those heart-to-heart chats with my only friend Nic. When in staff accommodation, it was so simple to catch up.
That's when someone neither a beauty nor with brain, passed by the teachers' café.
I had a bad feeling. There was no limit to Lexi's immaturity.
She waved at me and looked like she wanted to say something. Though I offered an unwilling smile, I pretended as if she was talking to someone sitting on Mars or Jupiter. Nic gave me a strange look.
'Hi!' My lips moved as I waved back at her, of course with a plastic smile. 'Why are you behaving like this?'Nic asked.
'Nothing man. This girl has made my life hell,' I spoke, the smile still plastered to my face.
'Congratulations on the new girlfriend!' He said with a sly look.
'She is not my girlfriend!" I glared at him, taking offense. 'Are you out of your mind?'
'But the way she is waving at you, offered her house almost for free, speaks clearly of her intentions.'
'That is the problem.'
'Let me give you the rumour.'
'Rumour?' Not again, I thought.
'Everyone knows you have two girlfriends.' 'What nonsense! Really?'
Nic nodded, taking pleasure in my displeasure. 'And how does everyone know them?'
'You are famous after Mia's case.'
'This is so frustrating! Who is spreading these false reports? And how on earth did people get to know about Lexi?'
'You come to school with her,' he said as if it was the most obvious explanation. 'And second, Mia is notorious.'
I took a deep breath. Suddenly things had become too weird. 'What is the rumour?'
'The famous hunk of a teacher, who likes teenagers.'
I groaned. Seriously! Why were all these fucking things happening to me?
'This girl will spoil my plan,' I mumbled shaking my head. 'What plan?'
'Remember, I told you about Lexi's mom…' 'The widow?' he said dismissively.
'Don't speak of her in that tone… I like her,' I said softly.
'You like her?' he frowned. He pulled out the middle finger and acted as if he was gagging, because I had puked some shit which he was finding hard to swallow.
'She is the owner of an independent house.'
'So, you are planning to indulge with your girlfriend's mom, just because she owns an expensive house?'
'Stop calling her my girlfriend!' I snapped at Nic.
'Okay sorry.' He raised his hands in surrender and added, 'But it is a bad deal.'
'Why?'
'They will find out about Mia and you.'
'That is my only worry. Lexi knows something about Mia. She was questioning me about it. What if she tells the same to her mom?'
'That is a genuine problem... but, I have a solution for you.'
This was Nic, my friend. He always resisted and tried to hold me back but ended up supporting me by coming up with his stupid ideas. I nodded. Though I had never taken Nic's suggestions seriously earlier, his confidence this time was making me confident too.
'You can use Lexi's love to climb the ladder to her mom.'