In the living room Sarah observed JoAnna, Sophia and Edward happily chatting, as soon as Sarah entered, they noticed her.
Edward headed to Sarah and gave her a warm hug, "Hi baby girl, nice to have you home. How long do you plan to stay?"
"I will go back on Sunday. Classes start on Monday." Sarah responded while returning the hug.
"I found out that in this semester you are #1 student in grade rankings, again." Edward proudly said to Sarah. "I'm happy that you are doing well at this University. Just make sure you stay focused on studies as your priority. It's easy to get distracted, especially when you are young. You know our philosophy related to order of things: first is school, then job, and then commit to a partner. Do you hear me? If you follow this, you will not hear any nagging from me or your mother. Being in a relationship before you finish school and can provide for yourself can only cause troubles." Edward said in a serious voice.
Sophia understands that this topic can easily take over their evening. 'Edward has good intentions, but when he starts preaching how important is to be independent first so that we don't suffer in a relationship, if we don't stop him soon, he will keep going with this. Eventually he ends up talking how prearranged marriages by parents are not a bad idea.' Sophia saw an urgency to change the topic, "I see we are all here, maybe we should try video chat with mom?"
"Oh, that would be nice", JoAnna quickly added, sensing Sophia's intention.
Edward got his phone and called his wife to establish a video chat. After few attempts, connection was established, but no video was available, just voice.
"Video is not possible due to poor connection here. Hmmm, seems you are calling during dinner time. Did anything happen?", melodious voice with an eastern European accent of a woman came from a phone speaker.
"Stella, dear... Yes, we are just getting ready to have dinner", Edward said. "All four of us are home, and we miss you, so we hoped to see you. How is India treating you?".
"I see... I plan to be back home in about 10 days. I will definitely be back in time for Christmas." Stella oversees research and development in "Orion Enterprise", her style of work is to travel, get to know people and immerse herself in different experiences, with a goal to understand current needs of market.
"Girls, make plans for Christmas at home, and if any boyfriend exists, invite him", Stella said while teasing her daughters because she knows that all of them are single.
JoAnna answered with a mix of laugh and whining, "Mom, every year same story. Can you not talk about boyfriends? You know that no one is good enough from dad's point of view."
"What is wrong with wanting perfection for my three angels?", Edward sounded offended.
Stella's voice was cheerful from the speaker, "You can just ignore him. If you think he is good for you and he treats you well, I will support you. I hope not to be an old grandmother."
The call ended after all three girls promised to be home for Christmas.
The sisters and their father headed to dining room to have dinner. The atmosphere was very harmonious, they chatted and laughed while enjoying their food. This was a normal thing in Hill family, maybe because sisters didn't have much close interactions with outsiders, when it was just them, they would drop all caution and just enjoy each other's company. None of them would miss an opportunity for teasing, but they all stayed within boundaries, and knew that they are to each other pillars of support that will never waver.
"Sarah, how is your schedule? I hope you are making sure you get enough rest and eat a balanced diet", Edward said.
"My schedule is manageable. For food, I'm trying... but it's not easy to have a proper diet while studying, you know that, right?", Sarah said timidly while waiting to be scolded.
JoAnna said with worry in her voice, "You need to have rest and proper food as a priority. How about you come to my hospital, and I give you a checkup?"
"No need, no need. I'm taking care of myself, don't worry", Sarah quickly responded, and silently promised to herself to stick to a good schedule and healthy diet.
"Did you make any new friends in school?", Edward asked.
"Not really", Sarah mumbled.
Edward raised an eyebrow while looking at her, "You are young, smart, kind. Don't seclude yourself. Anyone would be happy to be your friend"
"I'm OK with my life. I have Vivian to keep me company when needed.", Sarah responded, getting a bit frustrated.
"Hmph... That is only one friend. You should have more.", Edward advised.
Somehow Sarah thought about Aiden, and responded, "Well I'm not the only one. Just few days ago I met a guy and he also does not have many friends".
"Met a guy?", JoAnna looked at Sarah with a mischievous smile. At JoAnna's question, Sophia and Edward also looked at Sarah waiting to hear how she will respond, observing any changes in her expression.
Sarah felt like she was in danger of falling into a trap. She felt urgency to end this topic, "Oh, don't start with me. It's nothing, really. He is just a student at the University, and it seems he does not have friends." As she said this, Sarah felt that her cheeks are warming up. 'Am I blushing?'
"But it seems you are friends with him?", Sophia asked, her wide smile showing two rows of perfect white teeth. She didn't want to miss this chance to tease her youngest sister.
"I'm not sure if you can call us friends. We just talked once… or twice. Can we let go of this topic, you are making me feel uncomfortable", Sarah said with a frown. Just as she said that there was a sound from her phone: ping, ping, ping... indicating that she received messages. Feeling that she should use this as a good chance to avoid this topic, she pulled her phone out of her pocket to check out the messages. They were messages from Aiden, about updates to the document.
"Aiden, who is that?", JoAnna asked while peeking at Sarah's phone over her shoulder. "Is that your new friend who does not have friends?"
Sarah thought to avoid topic but ended up getting herself deeper into trouble. "It's really not what you are insinuating. Can we talk about something else, please?"
"So, it is him? Why is he texting you this late?" JoAnna was enjoying this and didn't want to drop the topic.
"We are just collaborating. I'm not interested in him.", Sarah was getting desperate. This was her first time being teased in a such way, and she was very uncomfortable.
"You are not interested? Seeing how you are refusing this idea, he must be ugly and fat...", Sophia analyzed, like she found a definite conclusion.
"Not really. He is actually good looking." Sarah blurted.
At this point all three of her present family members just looked at Sarah with their eyebrows raised. Her sisters had smiles on their faces, like they caught onto something big and entertaining. Edward was serious, but still very curious to find out more.
Sarah realized she got herself into danger of being teased until crying, and quickly excused herself "It seems I'm still tired from the trip, since I'm full I suddenly feel very sleepy. Have a good night". Sarah dashed into her room. She calmed herself quickly by taking a shower. Sarah made a mental note to be more careful, and not to give any materials to her sisters to tease her in the future.
Before heading to bed, Sarah checked messages from Aiden and started responding.
[Aiden]: "You delayed so much with responses. I thought you went to sleep for the night."
[Sarah]: "Dinner with family."
[Aiden]: "Fun?"
[Sarah]: "For them, yes."
[Aiden]: "How about you?"
Sarah thought how to respond to this… Was she having fun at dinner? If he knows that they teased her because of him, how would he react? She hesitated for some time before responding.
[Sarah]: "Yes."
[Aiden]: "Are you lying now?"
'Oh, he probably guessed because I delayed this much with a response.' Sarah reminded herself to respond faster, and not to get distracted.
[Sarah]: "Half-half"
[Aiden]: "Details, please?"
[Sarah]: "No.", Sarah wanted to say, 'no way', but thought that might be too revealing.
[Aiden]: "Please?"
[Sarah]: "Maybe, someday."
[Aiden]: "I will remember this."
Sarah thought how he is interesting. What kind of a chat is this, anyway? She just needs to chat about the document. 'What's with these personal topics? And why can't I stop smiling?' Sarah patted herself on the cheeks lightly.
[Sarah]: "Good night, Aiden."
[Aiden]: "Good night, Sarah."
Next few days passed quickly. Sarah enjoyed time with her family, and when they were busy, she would relax. Her favorite entertainment was playing "Age of Legends" on her PC. "Age of Legends" is a multiplayer online game. Sara is a skillful player, and many wanted to join her party whenever she came online. This is a realm where she has many who want to be her friends. In a way, it filled up a void she felt in her heart due to lack of friends in her real life. But then she thought how all those players want to be with her just because she is a strong player, so they can benefit by being in a party with her. 'How is that different from reality?'
Several times a day she would chat with Aiden. First few message exchanges were about the project, but then the chat drifted to other topics. Sarah didn't want to admit that she really looked forward to these chat sessions. Whenever they ended, she would read it few times, looking for some hidden meaning and wishing that the chat lasted longer.
Before she realized, it was Sunday and she was packing to go back to University. New semester starts tomorrow, and she looks forward to being back on campus with a hope to meet those dark eyes.