Chapter 39: First clash
Estena stayed by Dave's side during the entire meeting in the classic attitude of 'This is my turf, back off.' I had thought that the population of Bhuvar was much more advanced and more enlightened. But I guessed that society should be composed of different personalities for it to have a balance.
The meeting was to welcome Dave back to Bhuvar.
'When are you moving back to your house?' I heard Ilhas ask him, making my ears perk up in interest. I was sitting in one of the straight-backed chairs and was trying to be the least obtrusive possible. So this wasn't Dave's house? Why was he living here then? I looked around with more interest than I had the last time I came here. I now understood why the living room lacked warmth; Dave did not spend much time here.
'I would advise you to move today itself after the meeting with the board members of the security council,' Ilhas said, checking his phone. 'It's going to be a busy week, especially since the reports about the Vetalas have just been released.
'Yes, Dave, we've missed you,' Estena said in a seductive voice, trailing her fingers down Dave's sleeve. She couldn't be more obvious about her attraction if she had tried. What was it with the Gati-look-alikes? Dave also did not make any effort to move his hand away and I felt a pinch to my heart.
Well, apparently, Dave would be busy with his work, and he would be moving to his house. Where did all that leave me? I felt like screaming with frustration. This did not look like the holidays that I had promised myself.
'What about her?' I suddenly heard the second woman ask Estena. Was I so invisible that she didn't even realise I was close enough to hear or did they simply not care?
Ilhas also heard the question and asked, 'Miss Runner, I assume that you'll be going to live with Nana for a few days.'
I wanted to meet them sure, but I was not ready to stay with them. Anita had kicked such a fuss last time when she knew I had the family locket, I didn't think she would welcome me to her house except if she herself extended the invitation. Dave would be going to his house and I hadn't been invited, so it left me with only one option: go back home. Your house burnt down, don't you remember, my little voice reminded me. All of a sudden, I felt like curling into a ball and crying, like I used to do each year, when at school we celebrated Parents' day. Why was I here imposing myself on someone who knew me since only a few days? Dave felt a sense of duty because of Nani who saved his mother's life, but he had already accomplished his duty.
'I'll be heading home soon,' I said, my voice breaking on the word home. I avoided looking at Dave, even when I heard him compelling me to stay through his thoughts. I stood up and moved to the threshold.
'If you'll excuse me, I have to get my bags ready. Good bye.' I almost tripped on that lie, but the others did not need to know that I had nothing left to my name. Without looking at the others, I rushed from the living room to the bedroom. It was the only room where I felt safe and comfortable. I heard Dave talking to his guests and knew he would be busy for some more time. I finally gave up pretending that everything was fine and broke down sobbing. My body started shaking and I held my head in my hands. My nose became constricted with some phlegm and I sniffed hard to unblock it. The tears kept flowing for a few minutes until I felt drained. I went to the bathroom and blew my nose. When I lifted my eyes to look at my reflection in the mirror, I was horrified to see my bloated face. My eyes were red and sunken and my face looked pale. I took some soap and washed my face, hoping that the cold water would erase all traces of my crying. I was only partially able to do so unfortunately, but it would have to do.
I moved back to the room, still drying my face with a towel and I was shocked to see Dave waiting for me, with his arms crossed over his chest. I could see that he did not look pleased. Well, too bad, even I was not happy with the way the situation was turning out.
'Why did you say that you're going back?'
'Because I am,' I said obstinately.
'I invited you over for the holidays, Ash.'
'I didn't know that you had so many meetings planned. I didn't even know that this is not your house,' I said pointing around me.
'It isn't. It's just a guest house that I sometimes use when I have business around.'
'So you're moving today then?' I asked, wrapping my arms around myself.
'We're moving today,' he said emphasizing on the 'we'. 'The car will be here in 5 minutes.'
I still felt unsure of my decision, yet I followed Dave. I looked at the living room when I passed next to it and Dave said, 'They have left.' I felt relieved that I did not have to face the two women again.
He then opened the main door and gestured for me to go out first. 'Nani's book is with me,' he said, waiting for me patiently.
What to do? Should I go home or follow him? I felt so confused, if Claudia had been here she would have surely advised me to follow my heart. I had come to Bhuvar in order to spend more time with Dave, so why was I hesitating so much when I was getting to do exactly that?
I took a deep breath and stepped out in the blazing light. A driverless pod was already waiting and I got in with apprehension. Dave got in after me, closed the door and the vehicle started moving towards what I believed to be his house. I peeked in his direction and he was furiously typing on his phone. I preferred not to bother him with the questions that were burning my tongue and leaned back in my seat, watching the landscape go by. The tall buildings with their vertical garden swere still as majestic as last time, but failed to generate any enthusiasm in me. At that moment, I started missing Nani so much.
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