The hotel owner was reading a newspaper while also eavesdropping at the conversation going on between Veronica and Matthew. Thus, he heard Matthew tell Veronica, "Then you will need my help…"
Veronica asked, "What do you mean?"
"I know time is running out for you."
"Yes, I know that you know it. That is why you are wasting my time making me eat in this hotel and also by keeping secret of your plans." She smirked.
This remark and Matthew's laughter further aroused the curiosity of the hotel owner. Then he said, "Ok, I will reveal my secrets as I no longer have the intention of holding on to them. Are you ready for my secret plans?"
She nodded, while thinking: I am getting astonished with my own responses. I have never been so humorous in my whole sixteen years. The presence of a mere boy is perhaps spurting so many hormone eruptions in me. I had read it in some science books. It happens in this age. Or is he such a strong influence on me? In mock irritation she said, "Don't waste my time; tell me your plan."
He said, "I see as you have planned on wasting or rather 'killing' some more time, if I take a little bit of time then it is perfectly ok."
"Yes, tell me your plan. I am excited."
"We don't go by taxi; we fly."
"How? If the police are searching for us in airports, then?"
Matthew brushed his eyebrows and said, "Here I come"
As she mounted more pressure on him to throw more light on his plans, he was very busy munching and queitly finishing his food. It took her a few seconds to understand Matthew's practical joke. She beat his hand, grinned and with a fake serious tone stated: "I am tensed up and here you are fooling me!"
Despite the chunk of food in his mouth, he responded: "Yes, I am really fooling you. Finish your food first before making further plans."
Having finished her food, her new-found attitude towards the boy became a big surprise to her, in view of Papa's disapproval of any intimacy with a male. She had even forgotten her promise to cut her thumb if she thought about the boy, but she tried to soothe herself: It is ok; it will pass. When I get a chance I will leave this boy. The moment he turns out to be useless I will leave him behind. Don't worry; it will pass. But something inside her was not fully convinced with these assurances.