7. Conclave

WILL

Life is unpredictable. I never thought I would come across some people who were genuinely taking care of me willingly. The funniest thing was I met them after my deadly attempt. I was thankful that I was alive.

After the day of Rika's opening up to me, I came to realize, I needed to be strong, showing vulnerability to others was the most pathetic part from my side. How come I late myself be weak rather being defensive?

She was right, I needed fresh air to keep my sanity check. I certainly became more excited to go from the trip with her. Good thing was that she befriended me. I was trying to trust her and would try to open up my miserable life. I was going to start a journey without a destination with her.

The next day I woke up at 5 am in the morning to go outside for jogging. Yeah! I was trying to live these days normally. I freshened up and went out to my room, I was in a dilemma, whether I needed to tell her about my going out or not. After taking some minutes when I decided I needed to tell her before she got worried, I knocked on the door. Then a disaster happened. Oh, shoot me!

The time I focused to knock on the door, instead, I accidentally knocked on her forehead. She cried out and yelped, "OUCH!" while rubbing her forehead. When her glossy brown eyes met mine blues, I felt like I did some crime, I felt hurt. I immediately said, "I am so sorry Rika, I didn't mean to hurt you. Is that hurt?" Well, I knew I put extra force to knock the door, so I started rubbing her forehead I mumbling apologies.

She started laughing at me and said, " Well good morning to you too. Don't you think it was the funniest encounter ever", She chuckled and continued, " And don't knock this hard next time, the door will feel hurt by you". I chuckled at that, she was not wrong at all.

She asked, "Did you want to say, something mate?" I said, "yeah, I actually wanted to go for morning work".

She replied, " Me too. Let's go then, we will have our breakfast outside and we need to buy staff, tomorrow we have a train at 8 am, so it is better to buy necessities by today".

I nodded in agreement. She was on a tank top and yoga pants with sneakers, I was in casual t-shirt and sweatpants with sneakers. We left the cottage and went for running near the field for almost two hours an took four rounds in it. She was kind of energetic, seems liked she was an athlete.

We walked by the nearest food stall for milk tea which Rika referred to me to try once, they gave it to us with cookies. I agreed with her, it was really a great drink in the morning after a workout, so refreshing. We then go for our cottage food section for breakfast and ordered our foods. We ordered pancake, bacon, porridge, and two glasses of milk. Jenny served us and greeted us asked me about my health, I said that I was fine with a smile. After finishing our breakfast, we went back to our cottage.

She called, "Will, let us decide what do we need to buy. We already brought the main stuff. " 

I agreed and said, "Let's check our list then, shall we?"

We then decided to buy leftovers and some dry fruits and snacks. She ushers, " Ok, after our shower, we will go out for the market and I will introduce with some kids later, although they are annoying, you will enjoy spending time with them".

We took a shower and got ready for visiting nearby markets. We bought our things and fresh fruit too. Then she went took buy snacks, protein bars, cookies, muffins, and other dry fruit, with lots of candies and juices. after paying she watched my bewildered face and understood my unsaying words.

She laughed and replied, "It is probably going to be our last day of this villager, so I decided to treat them before leaving this place. I become attached to these kids. You will also feel the same after coming to know them, they are all down to earth and full of life."

I didn't know about others, but I certainly came to know that she was a kind-hearted and sensible girl in her age where other girls usually never gave a damn about their surroundings, they only love to flaunt their money and power to them and use others to approach in the front page of social media. They love to live in a materialistic life, I thought.

We approach near an ally where she called someone, then I saw out of nowhere nearly twenty-five to ten-year-old kids run out from their cage-like homes and hugged Rika's legs altogether. Their parents were laughed at them and told, " They are all waiting for you and nagging us continuously. Now they are your madame and kids behave." They all said " We will" in unison. Their parents greeted me and asked about my whereabouts and left us for their works. They seemed nice to me.

Suddenly Rika called, " Will, Let's go with us, come on."

She was already halfway, dragged by children god knows where. 

I followed them and we came near the well-built room, looked like a classroom. Rika came to me, and said, " It is where these kids receive private tutoring. I actually in these seven days tutored them on technologies or science and we used to sing together too, there has a guitar, piano, harmonium, and some other musical instruments .". She continued, "And today Like me, you have to share about important things about your occupation. Well, I don't about your field, but it will be good for them to know if you share your work field with them".

I immediately agreed and said, " I am ready to share about my world to them". She smiled and said, " Let introduce each other than".

She called them," Kids, Here meet my Friend, Will. Kids greet him first".

Then greeted me and introduced themselves one by one. 

Rika said, " Okey kids, Today you all gonna learn new stuff from Will, so listen carefully and you all can question and clear your doubt from him. So, let us begin our last session, shall we?"

Then I started speaking about my field business, entrepreneurship, shipping, and dealership, etc, Then talked about the IT world to them. I was shocked to see the enthusiasm in their eyes, they questioned like there had no tomorrow. Well, who could have thought they knew business terms in this age. I finally praised them saying that they knew lots in these ages where we had bearly any idea about these things. Rika chuckled as said to me, " They are smart and they all have bright future ahead".

I agreed and I defiantly started liking them in this little interaction. It was the first time in my life I talked that much without any irritation. It was new to me, I was so fond of Rika.

I was an arrogant hunk, ruthless business tycoon never showed emotions. I depicted children as I didn't have a normal childhood, but that day I was spending hours with them without irritation.

Rika was changing me for good, She had no idea who was I, She has no clue how powerful and wealthy I was. She only knew my emotions, I didn't know how she read me easily. Maybe She was like me, that's why she came across the conclusion about my misery. She never asked who was I. She never would as she promised. I was blessed to get her as my friend.

I was lost in my thought, I felt someone elbow me. I looked at the direction of the person, that was Rika. She said, " Hey! you okay?" I smiled and said yes. She said, " Let's give them candies, muffins, and juices then."

We distributed among food them and they all hugged and thanked us. I felt happy to get hugs from them. Then Rika finally said, " Okey kids, you all know that we are traveling to the nearby hill station, So it will be our last visit, please don't feel sad, in near future, we will meet again."

Okay, after she said about our departure kids got sad, some even started sobbing. We both went to them and started patting their back and comforting them. some kids say," Big sister, will you sing a song for one last time, please, for us?"

Rika agreed and took the guitar. She started singing, "Gift of a Friend"

" Sometimes you think you'll be fine by yourself

'Cause a dream is a wish you make all alone

Its easy to feel like you don't need help

But its harder to walk on your own" 

 She eyed me and sang a line,

" you'll change Inside When you realize" 

Then diverted her eyes to the kids, and continued,

"the world comes to life

 And everything's bright

From beginning to end

When you have a friend"

She eyed me again and smiled and singing,  

"By your side

That helps you to find

The beauty of all

When you'll open your heart and Believe in

The gift of a friend"

I had a doubt, she might be dedicated that song to me, She was continuously stating the fact indirectly that I got her back that time, she would stay by my side, as a FRIEND. 

Then again she proved me right by singing some lyrics directly eyeing me while smiling,

" Someone who knows when your lost and your scared

There through the highs and the lows

Someone you can count on, someone who cares

Besides you where ever you go  "

She eyed kids and repeated,

" You'll change inside When you Realize The world comes to life .................... "

After some time she completed the song and some kids were started crying, she excused me and took them outside, and rest stayed with me and started taking. One of them suddenly asked, "Big Brother, Is BIg Sister your Girlfriend?"

I was shocked and amused, but I replied, "No, She is my friend. Why do you ask?"

He said, " You both stole glances from each other. And also you two both look great together".

They all agreed and stated the fact innocently. I didn't know how to state the fact to them. Kids are fearless, they observe things their way, that might be small, but their heart isn't complicated as us adults.

So I said accordingly, "No kids, We are not, Yet. Fate isn't in our hands. If we destined to be together, we will be. We should wait for the proper moment".

I wasn't sure to whom I was stating that to me or to the kids. But I lucky that she wasn't there at that moment, else I wondered how I would face her.

After some time she returned with them, she had a sad face. When her eyes met mine, she hides that instantly with a big smile, which was never met her eyes. 

We returned with our paper bags and kept them to our cottage.

We went to the food section, have our lunch silently. She was sad but didn't show it to me.

She tried to share happiness with me, but not sadness. Well, I had to teach her the meaning of friendship.

We went back to our cottage and went to our respective rooms to take our bath.

After taking a bath, she came to my room with a new backpack, she said," It is your backpack, you have some new pair of clothes, you need to pack your rest belongings here. Keep a pair in your wardrobe for tomorrow's morning." She instructed me and helped me to pack my things and kept that in the living room with her backpack. 

We then packed all foods, camping things, and all in another small handbag. We were done packing and finally satisfied. Then we made dinner together. We made Chilli chicken, veg curry, and Jira rice with our leftover items in the kitchen. We ate peacefully and after cleaning up, we packed cattle and pots and term col plates and cups. She was still a sad expression. She said that we should go back to sleep. 

I stopped her by grabbing her hand. She looked at me with puzzlement. I said, "You know, you are a horrible friend".

she blinked and replied, "Huh?"

I continued, " Yes, You are a horrible friend. Friend not only share her happiness but sorrow as well"

She gave me a sad pout, said," You are right, it was new to me. I never thought I would be attached by them in this way. I don't even feel this way to my parents or friends. I am sad to leave them behind, it has only been seven days, I become attached to them awfully close. I am completely stunned".

I replied, " It is called life, we have to leave certain people behind to reach our next phase of life. We need to accept reality before reality snaps us".

She released a sharp breath and hugged me while sobbing, I also hugged her back. That moment was overwhelming, a jolt of electricity flowed in every cell of my body. Her warm embrace felt like home. I wanted to stay like this forever. We stayed like this for some time more.

She said, "Thank you, Will.". I instantly said, "You don't need to".

She nodded, then looked directly at my eyes and said,  " You said we have to leave certain people behind. But here mister listens to me very carefully, You are stuck with me after the day I rescued you. You are my Fallen Angel become my FRIEND. So I will never let you forget me. After our end of the trip, we will still be in our contact. I will make an email address for you, we will talk via email and my number. Don't you dare to forget me.".  

I was amused and said, "Yes, Ma'am. We will talk every single day, we will meet each other, and will build ourselves a new way. I can never forget you, my savior.".

We both chuckled and said goodnight to each other before going to our respective bedrooms.

She doesn't know, but she unknowingly becomes the goal of my life. It will be better, for her. Only for her.

I was looking forward to our new journey. It would be fun.