"You have more than enough explanation to give young lady." Mrs. Shabeeb started, "I'm so sorry mama, I... I thought we couldn't afford to pay cause of grandma's illness." Preya bent her head in shame. She had not only embarrassed herself before Elsa and Jesse's parents, but she also did before Josh's father. The embarrassment was the least of her troubles, she still had to explain why she choose to switch courses in school.
She's deceived her parents for long it's time to come clean, it's time they knew who their daughter is. She's not sesame innocent Preya they raised, she's seen and done unspeakable things, things she was not proud about. "Preya, before coming here, I already had everything planned, I saved more than enough money when you told me about your friends." Mrs. Shabeeb said.
"I'm sorry mum." Preya apologized quickly for the woman to nod. "What happened to you? Why did you change your course? Mrs. Shabeeb saw the need to ask, it was embarrassing her teacher knew nothing about her. "That's something I've always loved to do, I'm sorry for not informing you in time."
"I don't have an issue with it, but your dad would be so much pissed at your decision. We did a celebration inviting your uncle Gantu over and he promised to help you secure a job only to discover now that you changed your mind." Mrs. Shabeeb said to her. "Please help me convince Papa," Preya begged.
"I will, hope you haven't ruined your reputation in here too. Don't get carried away by your rich friends remember where you come from." Mrs. Shabeeb told her daughter who seems to only nod at her words. She hugged and kissed her baby before leaving. Preya watched her leave till her figure was nowhere to be seen before heading back home.
She was happy that part was finally settled, her father would only get really angry and call her to yell at her, but after everything, he would accept her again. Maybe the part of the sex tape would be hidden forever, cause she doesn't know what their reaction would be. She shouldn't know, cause she wouldn't want to kill her parents, their culture totally forbids women from exposing their bodies before marriage.
Any woman who does that is tagged a prostitute, she is not allowed to get married ever again.
Elsa escorted her parents to their car after their dinner, "You should be careful of that friend of yours Elsa, she doesn't seem like a good girl, she might get you into trouble." Antonio started. "Dad, she's not that way, you just worry too much. Preya is a good girl, but people just perceive her badly." She reassured them. "If you say so, but you still have to be careful." Lou hugged her baby.
They were both finally at peace knowing she was okay now, Liam was done the best job taking care of his wife. Jesse arrived to say her goodbye to them since her mother barely had a thing to say to her. All she said was to stop being friends with people like Elsa and Preya cause they make her look so disgusting and displeasing to the eyes.
"She's stopped wondering when she'd have a loving parent and decided to just be happy. She deserves to be happy, she deserves it better than anyone. She just wants to live, she wants to live like everyone else, she's craved for nothing more than a normal life, living with normal people. Not the crazy ones, not her psychopathic family where everyone is crazy.
College is meant to be her escape route and it is. "Jesse dear, you two should look out for each other, don't let anything get between you ever." Both girls nodded at Lou's words. "I love you both." "We love you too." They responded with a tight hug as Lou pressed her lips on both their foreheads.
This friendship, this tight hug was the future she saw between Elsa and Claire, but life had its turns and lessons. It has thought her daughter more than enough, her baby is still so strong even after everything she's been through needs to be studied. "Take care mother." They said seeing her step into the car. She waved at them and they did the same watching the car till it disappeared completely from their sight.
Both girls arrived back at their apartment, feeling warm-hearted. Now they wanted to go back home, they were both home sick that night, too lazy to do a thing. They both took their bath and went to bed ready for school the next day. Somehow this visit was good cause it reminded them why they were both in school.
.
"It's exam week, I have everything planned for my holiday will you go back home?" Preya asked her friend as they both ambled hastily to class. Both girls seemed tensed as they walked to class, but It was their first real exam, they should be nervous. The past week has been test and active lessons, they worked double time for all of those lessons and homework they missed.
Now they knew the reason they were here, not to party but to learn. They slacked behind cause they'd never lived on their own before, they were eager to explore what the world was like, what the world felt like. What living alone felt like. What the greatest teacher (Life) had to offer. They've learned their lessons from this short time but as teenagers, they would always love to explore about more things. Make drastic decisions and grave mistakes.
Elsa did the impossible, she's been able to survive for 2 months plus without contacting Liam, not even once. Maybe he was right, they actually needed a break cause she was getting obsessed with him which was not good. She should love him normally and not be obsessed with him.
"I don't know, Liam said we're not leaving this place until we graduate." She said gloomily. Earlier she had thought it would be easy and fun staying away from her family, away from the city she grew up in, away from everyone she ever knew, and embracing a new life. Though Jesse was with her, it still felt like she was missing something, it still felt like a huge part of her was missing.
Loneliness has been her bread and wine since she got here, nothing really amused her anymore. "Back at home, do u you live with your parents?" Preya saw the need to ask. "No, I live with Liam." She said plainly.
"I wish to see this Liam someday," Preya stated. "I'd remove that from my wish list if I were you. Good luck with your exam." Elsa wished her before stepping into the classroom so did Preya.
The same way they stepped in was the same way they got out of the exam hall, only that this time one person appeared to be extremely happy and the other was rather a doll but brightened up after a while. "Congratulations ladies, we're done with our first section. I have an all-paid trip planned for us so cancel all of your plans for the next weeks." Jesse announced for Preya to jump clapping excitedly.
They were all bored of this entire boring city, it wouldn't be harmful going to another. "I need to send a message to my parents that I won't be returning home. Come up with a good lie." She quickly said gesturing her hands to Elsa. "Ehhh... You can say we're going on a trip, school trip."
"Yes, practical trip." Jesse cut in and preya nodded in agreement. It was a wonderful idea, there is no way her parents would find out about it. They all headed for an Icecream shop after successfully completing their exams. "There's a new naked party open tonight, this time no one's allowed to talk openly about it, we will all be attending it tonight," Preya announced.
"No, I will not be attending that." Elsa objected as usual for Jesse and Preya to roll her eyes. She could recall Liam's words to her, no one's allowed to see her bare just him as she wouldn't like it if another girl happens to see him bare. She couldn't even bring herself to imagine how pissed he'd be if he ever found out.
"Ah... Such a joy killer. If you're scared for brother Liam he wouldn't notice, it's not like he's here anyway. And scorpion will not be following us in our punishment is over for goodness sake." Jesse scolded her. All her best friend needed was a little push to do something.
"I don't know, Liam can get really furious at the littlest things." Elsa warned as they stepped into the ice cream shop, "I want chocolate ice cream." Jesse ordered. "Mine should be vanilla with little sprinkles at the top," Jesse ordered. "You miss?" The server asked. "Strawberry," Elsa announced.
The trio went over to their seat to lick and discuss more about their plans. "So uptight Mrs. Black what's your final decision are you coming with us tonight?" Preya asked.