Kind's Pov.
As Win's face flushed a deep shade of red, he scrunched up his features while staring at Mean "No, You can't!" He screamed,
The people who were standing next to Win stared at the boy with widened eyes,
Nobody knew the reason for Win's sudden anger upon seeing Mean.
Jun and Kind didn't know the reason why Win got so angry all of the sudden as soon as he saw Mean.
"Win, calm down. They are our seniors, not debtors" Kind moved closer and whispered in the ear of the lad.
"Don't mind him" Kind added with an awkward smile "You guys can take a seat"
Jun and Mean sat on the empty chairs beside them as soon as Kind finished his words. Both of them were holding plates and a random drink in their respective hands.
"I think you should send that message to your parents" Jun suggested while placing the plate that he held in his hands, "They have every right to know where you are going."
The message written by Kind was " Mom, I am going on a school trip. If you think that leaving your child home alone during his birthday is a good idea then going for a trip without your permission is good too. I will make sure to lock the house and leave the keys to Misses Rai on the day when I will leave for the trip. It will be a 4-day trip so if you arrive earlier then take the keys from Misses Rai and tell Dad not to worry about the cafe, I will discuss it with Benita about it. ." he didn't waste a minute and quickly clicked on the send button after he heard Jun's opinion.
"Ting!" the sound of a message heard on Win's Phone when he was about to stuff noodles into his mouth. He picked up his phone and "Shitt!" he almost dropped his spoon as he saw that it was a message from his younger sister.
"Guys, I... I need to go home" Win hurriedly shoved his phone inside his pocket and carried the plate to return it to the stall lady on his way.
"Win, Win," Kind called the boy who was walking away from him, "What's the matter?"
"I can't tell you right now" finished, He said before storming away from the cafeteria like a flash, and within a second he was gone.
"What do you think? Why did he say that he needed to go home?" Jun asked with a puzzled expression.
"I don't know" Kind looking at the direction in which Win had gone "a message pop-up on his phone and" he then began to think for a reason. Meanwhile Jun and Mean exchanged looks among themselves.
[he said that his mom has been sick for the past few days] Kind recollected what Win had said in the morning.
"Maybe his mother is in critical condition!!!" Kind almost screamed in shock and. Both the boys in front of him rose to their feet and said "What?" at the same time.
"Let's go to the principal's office," Even though Jun made a suggestion but Mean has already started walking to the office without even listening to Jun, he reached there before the boys[Kind and Jun].
~
"Sir, Please grant me half day leave?" By the time, the trio reached
reached the Principal's office, they heard Win asking for a half-day leave.
"Yes, of course, but My child, what's the reason?" The principal was expecting to hear a reason but when Win showed him the message, he had nothing to say other than "You can leave"
"Thank you, sir" Win left the room within a second, while Kind and Jun followed him, but Mean stood at the Principal's office.
"Win, Win" Kind called as he ran behind the owner of the name but he went on running until he stepped inside the empty classroom,
There was no one except him until Kind and Jun entered the room
"Kind please tell Miss Sulochana that I won't go on the trip." Win said as he one by one hurriedly put his book and pens inside his bookbag.
"I will. But tell me the reason why you are rushing home? Is your mom alright?" Kind said as he walked closer to him. Win looked up when he heard the word Mom, but he said nothing. his eyes were already watery and were looking into Kind's eyes and then to Jun's
[Why isn't he answering?] The unpleasant silence was making Kind's heart weak.
Win slid the backpack to his shoulders and said, "I will let you know what happened, but later".He walked to the door and then turned his face to the lads( Kind and Jun) "Enjoy the trip" he said and left the boys there with puzzled expressions on their faces.
******
Kind had his classes till evening and it was the time when every kid in the school was free to go home. Like always, he stuffed his belongings inside his bag and walked out of the room. That time he wasn't chatting while walking with Win as he had taken half day leave the reason why he took so was still a mystery. He was walking through the corridor with his corners of lips down.
"May I walk with you, sir?" Jun asked as he approached him. Kind looked up and the corners of his lips stretched into a smile
"Don't call me sir!" Kind corrected as he let out a little laugh. Both of them continued to walk.
"So, Are you excited about tomorrow?"
"Umm," Kind gave an agreeing nod.
"Are you playing today?" Kind questioned as he saw the guitar case in Jun's hand
"Yes!" He answered with a gentle smile. Kind and Jun then walked quietly to the cafe. Like other days, Kind went to the changing room and changed into a cafe's uniform.
[honey toast and Red tea]Kind read the note that was pinned on the board as he approached his working area, he then began his part-time job. Kind continuously took orders and made the beverages and snacks until his allowed break hour started. He sat on the chair across the counter table. [Where is Jun?] a question popped up in his head as he recalled Jun saying that he would perform today. But he wasn't there.
"Who are you searching for?" Benita asked as she kept the tarry that she was holding on the table.
"Jun" turning his face to her, Kind said, "He said that he would perform today"
"He would have. but Mr. Limbu told him to perform next week." Taking a seat next to the lad, she said
"Actually, Can I take 4 days' of leave?" Kind asked with sincere tone invoice
"Sure, you can take it, but" she took a glass of water in her hand and drank a sip, " Why do you want to?"
"I am going on a trip.."
"With Jun?" Benita guessed with widened eyes leaning forward in excitement. She started to treat Jun as his boyfriend from the day when Jun organized a surprise birthday party for him.
"No…" Kind shook his head at first but when he gave a second thought he said again " I mean technically yes. We are going on a school trip to Pokhara"
"Pokhara…" She then took a little envelope out of her pocket and forwarded it to him, she said
"Do me a favor. Give it to my mom. She lives in Pokhara and she needs it"
"Sure" he took the envelope "But you never mentioned that your mom lives in Pokhara"
"Yeah, Actually we never talked about our family so I never got a chance," she said with a smile.
"Umm" Kind and Benita both rose to their feet as their break was about to end.
~Next Morning~
Kind stood at the bus station alone as he was early among the other pupils, he was there because all the students who were joining in the trip were told to arrive at the city bus station.
He watched his breaths turn into smoke due to the chilly morning . Despite how many layers of clothes he was wearing, the winter air still finds a way to chill him to his very bones. He took out his phone and checked , his message to His mother. It showed that the message was left it on 'seen' but he got no reply.
[She must be very upset] Kind thought to himself, Time was moving like a snail. The last time he checked his phone, it was 8:20 and now it was 8:30.
"Agh, I shouldn't have come this early" he kicked a nearby pole in frustration.
"Don't kick the pole. Pole sprit will be very angry at you" A mocking voice came from the side, Kind turned to the man and said "There is no such thing as Pole sprit, hehe" with a laughter
"What are you doing here? Did Miss tell us to arrive at 10?" Jun questioned since Kind was 2 hours early for the trip
"Umm" Scratching his head, Kind looked for an excuse.
"Come with me" Jun turning in the other direction
"Where?" Kind asked
"Don't ask. Just come," Pulling Kind's arm, , Jun said. Kind didn't hesitate to go with the guy.