Chapter - 5

29th July, 2009. Wakefield

"May I help?" The counter guy's voice made me come out of my thoughts. "Umm... some extra sauces and tissues" I shifted my gaze at Chris and Hannah. He was listening to her intently as she kept speaking about Grandpa. I was just trying to stay away from that discussion as long as possible.

"Here" he placed on the tray beside our sandwiches.

I held the tray and went back to them.

"...but dad never clearly told us why we were away for so many years." I heard her informing it to Chris

Hannah always thought dad had non-architectural dreams, since grandpa was quite stern maybe he couldn't see his son doing what he doesn't want him to do, so he allowed dad to fulfill his wishes somewhere else. This is just a theory that doesn't explain why he never wished to see his only son after gran passed away.

"Your mom must know." Chris said to her quietly. I placed food tray on the on the table. Chris glanced at me. "Took you long enough, my order turned up as well, I'll go bring it"

I sat while Hannah hungrily unwrapped her saucy chicken sandwich. Seeing the sandwich my stomach growled and before realizing I was stuffing it in.

Chris came back and looking at both of us he let out a laugh. I felt embarrassed and wiped my lips even though I didn't feel anything sticking on my face. All I know was that, my mouth was full. And I had to hide the ugliness somehow.

Why am I bothered about ugliness, when Chris has seen me all my childhood and in my most ugly phase.

"How else do you expect hungry girls to eat?" Hannah shook her head.

"I didn't say anything, did I" He grinned. I noticed the dimples formed on sides of his face. "I have never seen girls being themselves in place like this."

I felt good at his last words. We ate in silence for some time.

"I would like to meet Mrs. Beth and Jay after lunch" Probably for condolence.

"Yeah sure," I said "But first tell us about yourself, what do you do now?"

He clears his throat "I actually moved to Wales, bacause of studies, you must have guessed already. I'm here on vacation as well." He cleared his throat again and louder and on purpose this time "You are speaking to a Law student of Cardiff University." Pride flashed over his face and he was expecting a compliment.

"Wowww," Hannah exaggerated apparently to impose the mock at him. "Now it must be easier for you to get away with crimes". He gave a blank look at her. She immediately continued "Okay, I was just kidding, you know what that's actually... blinding" she actually looked impressed. He smirked and said "That's better."

"No wonder you used to argue a lot with me, remember?" I said pointedly, and took the last bite of my sandwich.

"Oh yes, I do. But you got it slightly wrong there. It wasn't me who used to start the argument. It was you who always made me argue."

"Uh really? Now whose starting it, and you still think you never..." I was about to give him some kickass reply as Hannah interrupted "Guys!" As we stopped and looked at her she continued "Wait till I get the popcorn." she laughed her head held back. Me and Chris look at eachother and then laughed.

We stepped out of the bistro. Fresh pleasant air surrounded us. "I got a car, wait here I'll get it from car park." Chris went down the basement and few minutes later emerged with white Jaguar.

"See, I knew you steal stuff. Tell me whose car is this!" Hannah crossed her arms.

"Luxury rental for sure" I remarked.

Chris grinned and pushed the front seat door open "Get in Ladies". I reluctantly moved to backseat door and got in. Hannah immediately occupied the front seat. Chris smiled at us mischievously and then he gave a sudden raise as he started out furiously. I fell backwards. He laughed. I love his hearty laugh.

Within no time we reached. He slowed the car right in front of our villa. Chris whispered "Still the same." slowly he moved on to park under the shed and parked beside Lexus. "The place where I used to park my little bike once, now I am parking a car" He sighed "Time flies."

We stepped outside. "Don't you drive?" Chris looked at Hannah while pointing at Lexus, as we moved towards the main door.

"I do in Canada. I haven't got the license here, plus cars in canada have Right side steering. I'm not used to the left ones." Hannah shrugged. I rang the bell.

Annie opened the door. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Chris keenly. "Oh welcome! Are you Mrs. Lara's son?"

"Umm... Nope" Chris replied puzzled.

"What? No! He is Mr & Mrs. Daniel's son, who lives few blocks away." I said crisply. She immediately appologized as she hadn't seen him around in a long time and that she was expecting someone else.

"Aunt Lara has a son?" Hannah questioned me. I shrugged and said "I don't know."

"Please, have a seat!" Annie said politely.

We placed ourselves comfortably on sofas in the Hall.

Jamie emerged in the Hall. He saw Chris and smiled showing all his teeth "Hey big brother, so glad to see you, how are you?" and they both squeezed each-others hand.

"As good as you can see. How are you grown up man?" Where were you at?"

"Doing good. Stuck up with GTA San Andreas & COD nowadays. Gonna buy Uncharted as soon as we go back. Right now I'm playing on my Wii U"

"I've got my Xbox here but haven't got time to touch. Want to come over to play together?"

"Yeah, definitely!"

Hannah whispered in my ear "These guys started with this crap the moment they met."

Mom exits the kitchen while speaking on the cell phone "No problem dear, take care of him. You can come over any day. Ok dear goodbye" She hung up the phone.

Chris stood up and greeted her "Hello Mrs. Beth, remember me?"

Mom was quiet surprised "Good gracious, you are that little Chris, aren't you?"

He smiled and nodded. "Look at you. You're all grown up now, aren't you?" He smiled sheepishly and shrugged "I guess so."

Hannah and I both giggled at his shyness. We are all still the same. It's just puberty that did its job. Damn good job specially on him.

"Sit down young man. How are your mom and dad?"

"Okay, You carry on. I'll go upstairs." Hannah got up and moved.

"I'll be right back" I got up as well and walked to the kitchen.

"Sure" He tilted his head towards Mom again and spoke "They're good. Mom is in London for launching her newly designed dresses and Dad is back from Germany just yester..." His voice faded as I entered the kitchen.

I took out a bowl of grapes in one hand and soda in the other turned around and the kicked the refrigerator door shut. "Rosemary!" I called out, and she came in with cleansed dishes in her hand. "Serve our guest grape punch."

"Okay, In a minute." Rosemary set the dishes inside the crockery shelf.

"And Rosemary..." I paused and then said "Please don't talk loudly when you're in the backyard with Annie. I could hear you upstairs!" I was about to leave.

"Oh, I'm sorry, why do you say? I barely go outside and I haven't been that side from a long time." She looked at me questioningly. I focused my mind back to the sound of murmurs I heard at noon but my memory seems to play hide and seek with me. Looking at me she said "Anyways, I'll see to it that my voice doesn't reach upstairs." I nodded and left.

After finishing the punch, Chris expressed how glad he was to meet everyone after such a long time and got up to leave. Before leaving he said "My condolence is with you all".

The Daniels are most sober of all in our community except Chris in their family. The only gene he inherited from his parents is some great brain but most of the time he uses it to create the lamest jokes ever. Poor guy soon going to end up with the most solemn people in his profession as a Lawyer. I doubt he could restrain himself from addressing jokes to the jury. If a person got humour like Chris does, then he'll light up any dark place for sure.

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