And so the questioning began. They varied from my name, my parents name to the place I was born and the exact latitude and longitude of the place. I swear answering all that questions made me feel like I was taking my board exams again. So after almost 1 hour from entering the den I was looking at the screen without even blinking my eyes so that I wouldn't miss anything. But mostly nothing happened except for some codes appearing here and there. And finally with some rattling noise which I still believe is the computer shouting at us for making it do this much work, an image started forming very slowly and deliberately.
And so almost 5 minutes later I was looking at a face which was constructed very slowly and patiently by the computer. It was a black and white picture. But the details given to the features almost made me believe that it was indeed someone's photo taken and not a drawing. But the fact that this was just a drawing was not the thing that disappointed me, what disappointed me was that even at the very last moment I was hoping the computer showed me a particular face. I hated myself for being week and clinging on to some one who was no longer there. At that very moment I decided to get over my ex.
After showing the picture for nearly 10 seconds the old computer shut down for good. Neha was also pretty disappointed to see a stranger's image like that. Actually she was the most upset among both of us.
"That rusty old thing!! Can't it atleast show some one from our town...?! Some boy or even some uncle...?" She said banging on the computer screen
"I didn't mean your soulmate mate would be an uncle. Its just, its just.... Ufff... What do I do?! Nothing I make ever works." She dropped her head on the table looking totally defeated
"It's ok man. I know your talented, you'll invent something sooner or later don't give up." I said hugging her
"Umm... What's that smell? Aunty must be cooking something. Come I'm so hungry. Come...." I said dragging her out of the DEN
Little did I know that it would be my last visit to the Den. Not because I got kicked out again, no because I was sent away to visit my relatives house and then straight to coaching center for entrance exams. Neha and I did keep in touch although we made new friends and were in different colleges we never felt space between us.
The Den without its protector was invaded by many power full invaders starting from rats, birds and a lot more other wildlife. So when Neha came home after her 1st semester. She found her mom's vegetable garden in the place of that shed. What else do you think happened. Neha declared world war 3 at home and did not ever come home till her course finished.
~~~☆~~~
Now to clear your doubt as to why I explained all of these. You should travel to future almost 7yrs forward.
7yrs finished nothing much changed in my life. Now I'm not just Jia Thomas I'm Dr Jia Thomas. Pediatrician.
Ya ya so great of me.
Neha with her skills is working for NASA. Atleast that's her dream. Right now she's working for a small private company. Now when everything was going so smoothly. I should have guessed something was up. Something was going to happen. And guess what? True to my suspicion a bomb went off.
I was supposed to get married as my studies was over and I have a job now.
Just great!!
"Dad your being ridiculous right now! I'm not even 25. I'm not going to consider it until I'm 28 or so" I said putting my head under the sofa searching for my ID card
"Jia, don't be like this. You'll turn 25 in a couple of months. And we are not asking you to get married tomorrow or next week. Let's just start looking for a suitable guy" Pulling out a chair he sat down at the dinning table
"Daddy please no. Mom tell him" I said now checking the fruit basket on the table
"I also agree with your father. Next week is rose's baby shower. Now see, she's your same age." Amma said pointing the knife at me from the kitchen
"Why don't you guys understand?! I just got stable after all that studying, getting a job, paying back my students loan. I just want to enjoy my life for a bit. Before taking up any new responsibility or commitment." I said while opening the cupboards one by one
"You can enjoy your life all you want sweetheart. We are not against it. We are just looking." My dad tried to reason as he handed over the ID which was on top of the fridge to me
"Exactly, look your dad and I are in no hurry to get you married. And its not going to be easy finding a perfect match. Minimum a year or so and even after finding this guy we won't get you married the very next day it could take a year or more for the marriage. And look you'll 28 by then, just like u wanted." Amma said setting the breakfast on the table
"But mom...…. hmmm...….. whatever. Do as you wish. I'm leaving otherwise I'll be late to work." I said grabbing a banana and running fearing that if I stayed any longer this people might as well as get me married right now
Okay so now what you just saw was me opening the gate to self destruction and disaster.
That's right I had to open my stupid mouth and agree to it.
What was wrong with me!!
I should have stood by my views and made them wait for a few years. But no I had to open my big fat mouth and agree to it. But if I knew back then or even had the tiniest of suspicion about what was coming I would have never agreed to it. Now you must be thinking what all this fuss is about, well I'm coming to it.