Episode 15 : Trust Me

      Before the snowfall covers the street I reached to my home. It was so different feelings in my heart. But, it was very cold dark night and I wanted to sleep as soon as possible. My parents became happy with my arrival at home. I smiled to them and went to my bed. I was not in mood to read any books so I selected to hear some music. I was about to on the music and Anna's phone rang on my desk. I lifted the receiver and started talking with her.
      "Hi, James!"
      "Wow ! Anna, it is lovely surprise!"
      "I was trying since an hour. Is there any problem?"
      "Not so much. It's snowfall here."
      "Oh ! my mom's phone is also not working."
      "She is not in town. She will come back on Sunday."
      "Actually ! my classmates and teachers are going to Jamaica for 10 days for camp. I am also going to join them. Will you please inform her, please?"
      "Oh ! Anna. Why are you showing formalities to me? I will definitely inform her."
      "come on, James. My habits are changed. I am sorry."
      " Tell me something about your life there."
      " I miss you a lot, James. I feel so lonely here. All my classmates come from rich families. They are all having home here. I am the only one who have come from so far. I have chosen library to spend my free time. My study is also very tough." she was almost crying.
      "Anna, control yourself. Whenever you will get small vacations, come to home."
      "Ok, James ! I will do."
      " I miss you too."
      "You liar, I talked with Eleena before you. Do you have feelings for her?"
      "I know, you both are very closed friends. Has she told you something about me?"
      " Not so much. According to her, you are very sincere and shy boy." She laughed.
      "anything else she said?"
      "No ! but you've not answered me. Do you have feelings for her?" she asked me with little hesitation.
       " I like her. Nothing more."
       "James ! I think, she loves you."
       "What?" smile came on my face.
       "She is very serious about you as per her words."
       " I will ask her later."
       " James, I will come home in Cristmas time for around 20 days. That time I will help you both."
       Suddenly, telephone lines were become dead. I covered myself under blanket. I was thinking about Eleena. Her smiling innocent face was in my eyes. I closed my eyes and started dreaming about her.
        In the morning, I was awaken with fresh smile. Cold was decreased. As it was so early morning, my parents were sleeping. I decided to read my study notes and went to study room. But, Eleena's thoughts had covered my mind.
        After few days, I got fever during school time. My teacher had allowed me to go home. I went to hospital before going to home. I called my father to meet me there. When I reached to hospital, I remembered that Eleena's mother was working there. so, I asked about her to the reception.
       "Excuse me ! can I talk with Natalia Richards, please ?"
       "Sure ! what do I tell her ?" the receptionist smiled.
       "Tell her , James is here."
       She talked on intercom and told me to wait for her in sitting area. But, She reached to me before I reached to sitting area.
        "James ? what happened? You are here at this time? You must be in school at this time." she was anxious by her words. But, I marked that she was so changed than I met her at her home.
        " I've got some fever, aunty."
        "This is hospital. Don't call me here "aunty". Ok?" She became angry.
        "Ok ! Nata....lia" I felt some hesitation and odd to call her by names.
        " Ok, come with me."
        I started walking with her. We both reached to doctor's cabin. He examined and prescribed some medicines and injection. Eleena's mother was watching us quietly from some distance. I took the paper and looked at her. She came out from the cabin with me. We started again walking to the pharmacist's department. Suddenly, she stopped me and hugged me very tightly. I felt so strange, because before few minutes she had stopped me to call her "aunty" in hospital.
       "I am sorry, James." she was crying.
       "It's ok, Natalia." I tried to control her tears.
       "Come to my home this Sunday."
       " Ok. But, which time?"
       "after lunch time." She brought out a little mirror from her pocket and wiped her tears.
       "Ok." I smiled and given the prescription paper to her.
       She prepared an injection for me and told to ward boy to bring the medicines from pharmacist for me. I was expecting her to leave me at main door. But, she hugged again and kissed my chick  with saying "bye" to me. I felt very strange about her behavior with me. I reached to the main gate where my father was waiting for me.
      On next day, Eleena's mother called at my home. When I received her call, it was the saddest new I heard from her mouth.
      " Hello James ! I am Natalia, Eleena's mother."
      " What happened?" I stopped myself from calling her "aunty" again.
      " Eleena has left home last night. I have got her letter on my dining table. She went away in night with a boy named Robin."
      "Robin works as a clerk in our school. He has left the job last month."
      "I have to inform to police before anything may happen with my daughter."
      "Ok ! I am coming to you." I hanged the receiver and ran to my bicycle. I was in very hurry, so could not inform my mother.
      I reached to her home and knocked the door. Eleena's mother opened the door. I felt very strange with her look. She was attired with make-up. She was in very costly clothes too. She was looking so much younger than her age.
       " Come inside, James." she invited me inside home.
       I entered in her home and found everything changed. All the furniture and interior was changed to the unique type. She brought red wine for me.
      "No, I don't drink" I neglected to drink the wine. But, she smiled and slowly forced me to drink it. I could not resist her more and started drinking.
      "I have asked to police for complain, but as per law I can't stop her  to take her decisions. She is mature and adult by law." she was not looking sad by Eleena's leaving.
      "I should go to my home now. Thanks for the wine." I put the glass on table and asked her to go home. She smiled to me and came near me.
      " Ok ! James. But, please meet me sometimes whenever you will have time. I have become alone now." She touched my face again. But, this time I felt her as mother. she broken and cried a lot on my shoulder. I tried to give her sympathy. After few minutes, she controlled herself and I left the home.
       When I reached to my home, I found a letter in my pocket. I opened the letter and started reading it while lying on my bed. I became disappointed when completed the letter.

Episode 14 : Trust Me

      It was around 7:45 p.m. I was ready to go to Eleena's home. I had informed my mother about my dinner at Eleena's home. But, I thought to inform Anna about my friendship with her best friend Eleena. I called her at her hostel, but she was not there. I came out from home and started to Eleena's home. It was so weird feeling. I was going for dinner first time alone. It was some fear and some excitement's mixed feelings. But, I was not stopped at anywhere until her home was not near. But, it was so difficult moment when I reached at her door. I stopped at there for sometime. Suddenly, her mother came from behind.
      "James, what are you doing outside, son???"
      "I have just reached, aunty."
      "I think, you are here since 10 minutes dear!"
       She smiled and knocked the door. Eleena opened the door and looked at me. I smiled to her and entered into her home. She was looking so beautiful in maroon gown. I was feeling so strange because of the theme of her home was like Spanish people. I was looking at curtains, candles, furniture and other interior designs. Even Eleena had also worn a Spanish gown. I tried to be normal and started talk with her mother. She was so intelligent that she knew all by my face expressions.
       "I know, James!! our living style doesn't match with your living style."
       "Your home is quite different, auty!!! why???"
       "Actually! my husband was the son of American father and Spanish mother. I am also from Moscow, Russia. I came here for nursing training and got in love with this man. We married and got a lovely kid, Eleena. He was doctor at New York. We had hired a room there, but he had chosen this small town to live after getting lot of nuisance of politics at his working place. We were living so happily with our small family. But, he got car accident while working as visiting surgeon at Chicago. I was working here and still working. I bought this home which was rental while he was living. Now, it is owned by us."
        "You are so brave, aunty!"
        "Thank you, son."
        Suddenly, the phone was ringing. Her mother received the phone and talked. She came to us and kissed Eleena's forehead.
         "James ! it is your first day here at our home. But, I have to go to hospital because of some emergency. So, enjoy the dinner and take care of yourselves. I will come later in night, so don't wait for me. If it will be very late, I will come in the morning."
         " Ok ! aunty. Good night."
         "Good night, son"
          She was looking same like Eleena, but her hair was different than her. She was really very brave lady who had made her position in society. All the people around their home were honoring her. Eleena was quiet as per her nature. But, I was waiting for her talks.
          "Why are you so quiet???"
          "I remembered my dad. He was so loving. It was our happy family. My mom is so beautiful and young, though she have not married again. I have no words to admire her sacrifices for me. I am proud of her."
          "I have so much respect in heart for her. She is really very good Mother."
          "I have never wanted to enter anybody in my home, so I have never made friends in school or anywhere."
          "When was Anna here with you ???"
          "She had never come to my home. I have always invited only few people who are very close to me."
          "Am I close to you, Eleena???"
          She was become silent and started bringing food bowls on table. But, suddenly we heard knocks on door.
          "Darling !!! I forgot to cut the cake with you in hurry. Let's cut it. Momma is being late for job."
          " I love you !!! Momma!!!"
          She could not stop her eyes and the tears came out from it. She hugged tightly with her mother. Her mother burned the candles and made her smile. She was the only one reason for her life. She blew the candles and we wished her birthday. After eating a piece of cake her mother went to her job. I was waiting for the answer of my question. I found her in mood of not talking so much. So, I had also completed the dinner with quiet mouth. Before I left her home I wanted to inform her about my feelings for her. We were near the door and suddenly she came near me. I was about to say something, but she put her palm on my mouth. I set on the near chair as I was become speechless at that moment. She squeezed my face on her stomach and I felt her tears on my head. I took her in my arms, but she had not let me stand up from the chair. She looked at me and kissed on my forehead. I had got all the answers of my questions. After few moments, I stood up from the chair and tried to go near her. But, she had stopped me at my place with tears in her own eyes. I turned to the door and started walking out of her home. When I came out from her home, I heard the voice of shutting the door. So, I didn't turned to it and started walking to my home. The snowfall had started and I had started running too.
         
      

Episode 13 : Trust Me

      Days were going and life was streaming at its own speed. I was become busy with my study and assignments given by teachers. I was not so intelligent. But, I was hard working person during those days. I had started spending my time in libraries. during school time, I was in school library and on holidays I was always in city library. Anna was in my memories and each moment spent with her was alive in my mind. But, I had made myself busy with my own world. I had a good friend in school. She was Eleena my classmate. She was having all the characteristics of the best student. Even she was better than Anna in few subjects. I was not so connected with her, so I haven't marked her present around me. One day suddenly, she came to me when I was about to cry due to not having any article related with my new assignments. I was so worried about my work that time. I was finding few words regarding that. She sit down on floor with me.
      "James, What happned??? You seem so worried???"
      "I am finding some words regarding our new assignment. I feel so much stress since last three days."
      "Oh God ! James, had you really listened teacher's last words???"
      "Last words???  No!!! I can't remember."
      " It is the assignment, which will be written after the new lesson and practicals will be done. Oh James!!! you are so naive." She smiled.
      "Really??? Eleena, you have made me so happy. Let's have lunch together, if you don't mind." I looked at floor.
      "My pleasure, James."
      I was feeling so much weird with her at that time. Because she was the most intelligent girl of our school. She was champion in athletics and badminton too. She had won so many gold medals for our school. She was very beautiful. But, she was always found alone at lonely places. I felt strange when found her talking with me, because she was behaving opposite her nature. We reached at school canteen. People were staring to us. Eleena was not feeling anything, but I was feeling that people were staring to us with strange eyes. Eleena was reading the menu and chosen her meals for her.
      "I would like to have Hamburger for me. What would you like to eat, James???"
      "Same as you, Ellie ......naa....!!!" My feelings came on my lips.
      "hey James !!! what happened again. There is sweat on your head, dear!!!"
      "Nothing !!! I am ok. Relax please."
      "Ok!!! sit here. I will bring from stall."
      "Eleena, take my money."
      "Come on !!! it's treat from me."
      "Treat??? for what???"
       "We will talk later about it. ok???"
      "Ok!!!"
      I was watching her going to stall. She was so happy as per her mood was seeming. Some unknown happiness had brought smile on me. She returned from stall with two coke tins and hamburgers. She was looking so beautiful in our school uniform. I was silent with her, but she was talking with non-stop mouth. We completed lunch and returned went to play ground. It was the time to leave the school, because it was half day whatever we both had forgotten. We were talking with each other.
       "Eleena!!! now tell me the reason of the treat."
       "James, today is my birthday."
       "What??? Happy Birthday, Eleena. What about evening party???"
       "Today is my Birthday and the deathday of my father too." She became sad.
       "Oh Eleena !!! I am so sorry, please."
       "It's all right, James. Today, I have got a new good friend. So, I am happy and given treat."
       "I will arrange a nice small party for you tonight. What do you say???"
       "No, James. I will not come for any party, because I will be with my mother tonight and will give her some smiles by talks."
       "Ok Eleena!!! I will not disturb you."
       "If you don't mind James, I want to invite you for dinner at my home tonight." She looked at me with hopes.
       "Where do you live???"
       "Near Vegetable market, near your home."
       "Have you ever seen my home, Eleena???"
       "I came at your home with your cousin Anna."
       "She is not my cousin. Anna is just my neighbor's daughter."
       "Actually, she had called me last Sunday and told me to take care about you. So, I was finding you."
       "Eleena, Anna is my best friend and she is having a special place in my life."
        "I know that all James. Don't worry!!! I will never let you feel lonely."
        We were walking on road and forgotten to get bus from bus stand. We had reached near our home.
        "Ok, Eleena!!! I will come to your home tonight for dinner. Give me your number, I will call you before leaving home. She wrote her address and phone number on paper and given it to me. She was taller than me, but having an extra ordinary charming personality. She smiled to me and started going in direction of her home with big long steps. I turned to the way of my home. Lot of thoughts had started covering my mind. I was thinking about Eleena. She was very calm and have always talked in few words. But, today she was talking like downpour with big drops. I had no choice than being wet. She had made me happy by her talks. So much time was remaining for evening. I was waiting for night with impatient feelings.
     

Episode 12 : Trust Me

       So many days had gone, but Anna had not sent any mail to us. Her mother was so anxious about her. It was the era when mobile phones and internet were only for military. Only mail, telegraph and land line telephones were used for communication. We were all waiting for Anna's letter. The winter was going to start. Cold winds were making the environment more cold. It was quite hard to move anywhere in nights. Our homes were not so far from each other, but some distance was there between them. Her mother was lonely in her home. Sometimes my mother sent me to bring her for night sleeps whenever my father was not at home. I was so sad without her letters. But, my study and project had made me so busy that I haven't tried to write any letter to her.
        It was the Saturday, I came earlier from school due to snowfall forecasting. I was missing my her when remembered the previous year's snowfalls. I have started to find her address or telephone number in my father's diary. My father was very strict man and never liked that anybody touched his things. But, my patience had crossed the limits. I found the packet of papers related with Anna's new College. I have found the telephone numbers on envelopes. I was become so happy and jumping from in inside. I ran to telephone and started dialing numbers.
        "Are you calling to Anna???"
        "yes, Mom"
        "We have not her direct contact numbers."
        "Mom! I have found it on her college's envelopes."
        "They are of administrative office numbers and useless for us."
        "Let me try, mom!"
        "Ok Son ! Go ahead!"
      I have completed dialing. I had found it was ringing there. Somebody had picked up the phone.
        "Hello, I am Rachel jones. May I help you???"
        "Hello, Mam I am James sanderson from Texas. I want to talk with  Ms. Anna wilson please."
        "Mr. Sanderson! this is admin office. If I can help you in that way please???"
        " I have her registration number. Can you please give me her accommodation or contact details, please???"
        "What is your relation with her???
        "She is my neighbour's daughter. Her mother is anxious about her because of not talked with her for a long time. Please help me."
        "Sure, I will help you. Please give me some moments."
         "Thank you, mam."
        I had hold the receiver for few minutes. After sometimes, I heard her voice again.
        "Anna Wilson is living in ladies' hostel. I can give hostel's number."
        "Please, give it to me. I will write it."
        "Ok, please write down the number. 42522789."
        "Thank you, mam."
       I was so happy when got the telephone number. I dialed the number. But, she was not in the hostel. As per the matron's words, she was doing a job somewhere and return late night. I was so anxious about her. Negative thoughts were started covering my mind. But, it was not the permanent gloom. After few minutes, I got her call.
       "Hello,James??? I am Anna. How are you???"
       "I am good. But, so much worried about you. Where was you???"
       "I have got a new job here. I am teaching to little students in part-time. The place is so far. So, I come in late night."
       "Oh Anna!!! you are my best friend.Give me your address please"
       She had given me her address. She was almost crying while talking with me. I was also so much missing her. That night, I could not sleep until late night. I didn't know what was I feeling during that moments. I could not realize that it was my happiness of sadness.
      

Episode 11 : Trust Me

     Anna was so happy on that day. I was also so happy, but few sad feelings were annoying me. I was sad because of my best friend was going far from me. During a long chat with our parents, we had known that her mother was not my father's sister. She was just our neighbor's wife, but due to my father had helped her in development of her business she had believed my father as her brother. We were shocked when they had open the curtains from the truth.
     My father had decided to give a nice small party as she had got an admission in very popular medical college. She was going to meet new people at new place. I was not getting myself. I was smiling, but was sad by heart. Suddenly, she came to me and lead me out of our area in her car. There was nobody else then us. She looked at me with strange feelings. Before I could say anything, she came near me.
       "I know, you are sad.Because you are going to loss your best friend."
        "Anna, I can't tell you anything about my current feelings. We are going to be far from each other. One more thing has made me more confused that you are not my cousin. You are only my friend and we are not relatives.Strange!!!"
        "Leave all those matters right now. Just look at me. You are going to complete your school studies too. I will help you to be prepared for Medical college. I know, you are more genius than me."
        "Thank you, Anna. I will work hard with your guide lines."
      I was watching to her face and tried to understand her talks. She was so happy that she could not stopped her smile for a moment. Finally, the day of party had come and so many relatives and other people came to our home. We were in party and dancing with each other. It was the first day, when we both had tasted the wine. Her blue eyes were dipper than sea. I did not understand which kind of feelings were in my heart. But, I had found myself more and more gripped in thoughts. It was so lovely night and our parents were signing songs with us. My father was playing guitar and our mothers were singing loudly. Other ladies were dancing with their husbands and partners. Anna forced me to dance with her and I could not neglect her. We danced and hugged by happy hearts. She pulled me out from the crowd and lead me outside. It was the full moon night. She turned to me and started talking with me.
         "What do you think about me???"
         " You are good girl. Intelligent and bold too."
         "Am I beautiful???"
         "Yes, you are"
         "Are you feeling same as I feel about you???"
         "what do you feel about me???"
      Before she could say anything, tears came in her eyes. I pulled her in my arms and tried to make her calm. Anna was a small town's naive girl. Her heart was full of happiness. She was feeling sadness because of her farewell from home and from us. I brought her in home again. People was preparing to go back to their homes. The party was over and her mother was busy in talks with my mother.
       I awakened early in the morning next day. It was the day of her farewell from home. My father was ready with his car. I ran top her home and helped her in preparations. She was staring at me with big blue eyes. It was the saddest moment when she suddenly hugged me very tightly. Her tears were touching my shoulder. I could not stop her. She was crying without saying a single word. My father came to us and given her sympathy. I lifted her begs to the car. She was coming to car with slow steps. The atmosphere was hot and became so sad with her tears. I was feeling broken from inside. I opened the door and invited to seat in car. She again hugged me and kissed on my forehead.
       "I will miss you a lot. You are my best friend. I will never forget you. Trust Me!!!"
       "Me too"
         She got her place in car and her mother set from other door. My father started the car and the car started to run with slow speed. I was watching her from the rear glass. She was also watching me.

Episode 10 : Trust Me

        Both came out from the room and seen Dr. James there in passage. Harrie felt some strange and gone to him.
         "Any problem Dr.James???"
         "No, nothing. I came to tell both of you that Mellisa has reached to her home and she is alright now."
         "That's good news!! daddy!!"
         "Yes, sweetheart. It's good news." Dr. James started crying after completed his words.
         "Dr. James, please control yourself. Stop crying!! Please!!" Harrie couldn't stop himself and given sympathy.
         "I want to tell you about me and my life to both of you." Dr.James started walking to reading room.
        "Sure, it will be my pleasure !!" Harrie replied while walking with him.
        Christine was walking with them without saying a single word. Environment was being more cold. All of them reached into the room and taken their seats. Dr. James looked at his daughter and started telling about his past life.
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        I was born in the small town of Texas. My father was postman and mother was shopkeeper of household things. I had no any siblings, but was having a cousin two year elder than me. Her name was Anna. Her mother was my father's sister. My mother was very strict by nature because her father was in US Army. I haven't met him because he was died when I was around 3 months. Anna and me was studying in same school which was little far from our homes. My father had bought a bicycle for me. So, we both used it for going to school. Anna was my helping hand in studies and I was helping her in gardening. We were like very good siblings, but we were cousins.
      One day, Anna's father was died due to fallen from the roof. Her mother had cried a lot. My father helped her and trained her for their family's shop. Anna's family was richer than us. She had all the toys and new costly dresses. I was happy with my family and its status. Though we were living happily, my father had always wanted to see me as a rich man.
      We were being young and our interests were being changed. Anna was not only my sister, but she was my very good friend too.
      It was the day, when she had passed her final year of school with highest grade of marks. She wanted to be doctor. So, my father had started to collect  information regarding medical colleges. He found a nice college in California and decided to send his niece to that college for her studies.

Episode 9 : Trust Me

       Both were walking to reading room. Winter had covered the night with cold and snowfall. Christine was leading him in reading room. She opened the door and switched on the lights.
        "Nice room, Krishi!!!"
        "Thank you, Harrie!!!"
        "Tell me, what is the matter with you???"
        "We were talking about my family and some confidential matters of it."
        "It was somebody's call and you've gone out for that."
        "It was my cousin's call. She is senior gynecologist in our hospital."
        "Do I know her???"
        "No, you've never met her."
        "I had waited for you there for long time, but you'd not come."
        "I am sorry for that!!! Let me tell you all."
        "Ok!"
        "Aaron was my father's step son. His mother was my father's first wife."
        "Where is his mother???"
        "She was died when he was just 2 years old. My father have given him real father's love and grown him in this home."
        "Where is your mother?"
        "My mother had re-married with an Mexican actor after my birth. I was 5 years old when she had re-married."
        "Tell me in details. From start until today."
        "My father was junior doctor in California. He was fun loving person by nature in his young age. He was very happy with theater dramas and ballets. He often goes with his friends to theater in his free time. One day he met a lady ballet artist named Jenifer D'cruz. She ignored him first, but accepted dating after knew he was a doctor. Their meetings were made them more and more closed to each other. He decided to marry with her."
       "He met your mother in California??? How did he reach here???"
       "After married her, he relocated with her in this town. He was become busy with his work and she was busy with new team of dancers. Where she met Jericho, a Mexican dancer and actor. She had good friendship with him. Very slowly, they were fallen in love with each other. Even she forgot that she have 5 years old baby. She left my father and married with Jericho after divorced with my father."
        Suddenly, Some noise came from out side. Both went out of the room.