A High School Rendezvous!

High school days are the best days of your lives! And especially if you are a heartthrob of your class... For me, high school was never like other students feel and go through. No abuses, no peer pressure and no failing in the expectations of parents! Especially, because I had gem of friends like Justin and Martin who stood by me during the thick and thins. Post high school, Justin and I had decided to join my dad's internet marketing firm. We had tried really hard to convince Martin to join us so that our bond never breaks and remains forever. However, Martin had other plans.

Justin and I shared an apartment Farnham. That day, I got startled with the way he woke me up. “Get up dude!” He exclaimed. “There's no water in the washroom and we must call plumbers!” “Get off Justin, just call the nearby company and get it done. I am too tired to get up!” I shooed him away. “No man! You are doing it. “Get uuuuppppp!” he screamed in my ears. I was not really surprised by Justin's ways of waking me up. He had still not left his high school mannerisms. “Fine! I will get it done. Now please let me sleep.” “Sorry dude, it's 10 am and we have a meeting with our clients. Your dad has called twice.” The word “Dad” was a huge stimulus to wake me up. He was quite strict with the ways his company should work.

We got the water systems repaired and got ready to leave for our meeting which was organized at Hull. The city was almost 4 hours away and we stormed off in our car as we had to reach on time. “This traffic is like hell! And there were predictions of a snowfall today. I hope it doesn't start snowing in sometime.” said Justin. “Please be positive bro.” I said while changing the gear and driving at a a top speed. I was quite happy that on account of my fast driving skills, we had managed to reached Gilberdyke quite fast. Our destination was just 30 minutes away and it started snowing heavily. It was snowing so bad that we couldn't see the temporary traffic signs and were quite worried about being diverted to a wrong track. I switched on the GPS system and we started following the road according to the instructions given by it. But in no time, the bad went worse! Our car suddenly slipped off the track due to the snow and we rammed into the tree nearby.

“Oh lord help us!”said Justin as we got off the car to see a huge damage that had been done to it. “Look at that, the tyres have been ruptured and the bonnet has been damaged!” I said. We were feeling quite miserable at that moment. In a about 10 minutes a black car stopped where we were standing. As there was zero visibility, Justin and I could hardly make out who was in the car. “It is Martin! Our long lost friend.” said Justin. “Hey Smith, what a co-incidence! I am so happy to see you guys. What's wrong and how can I help you?” said Martin as he hugged both of us. Meeting a best friend during a jeopardy is like a real treat! My mind flashed with nostalgic memories of high school as I saw him. “We are stuck man! We have a client meeting and we are supposed to reach there in 15 minutes.” I said. “Not to worry guys. Park the car nearby and get in my car.” said Martin. We took our seats in Martin's car.

“So what are you upto these days? What do you do? Where are you? No calls? Oops! Too many questions.” I said as I started questioning Martin. “No problem buddy. Go on.” said he as he smirked. “I work as a manager in an insurance firm in Surrey. We provide various types of insurances including professional indemnity and office coverage policies. Infact, I could have provided you with a safety cover for your damaged car if you guys would have kept in touch with me...”But Alas...!”said I as I completed his statement. Martin was visiting his mom who lived in the city. In few minutes of our drive, it felt as if we revived our high school lives. Our connection was unbelievable! We hugged before departing and exchanged numbers. It felt great!

As soon as we reached the office, we were quite relieved to know that the clients had not made it yet. “Welcome guys, I believe the snowfall led you to the delay.” “Yes dad” said I as I winked Justin. Little did he know that we had had some adventurous and some nostalgic moments sometime before! Dad started filling ink in the Epsom printer. The arrangements were made. “A friend in need is a friend indeed!”...I thought as I started arranging the table for the meeting. If it was not for Martin, we would have been stuck for hours together. God bless him...

An Angel Named Isabella

Five years after getting married, life seems quite settled. It seems you are going on the right path. Everything is just fine. George and I were going through the same phase. I was working as a writer in a company based in UK that hired freelance copywriters. I loved my work although it involved working from home. I had all the time to myself. Exploring the world of internet, knowing about the top-drawer companies and creating content for them. George was working as a manager in an internet marketing firm. We had a beautiful house and all that we needed for comfort and luxury.

“Sophia...could you please help me with my tie?” said George. “Yes darling...I will be right there.” said I while cleaning the furniture. It was Thanksgiving Day and George's parents were visiting us. Although I had lost my parents, I used to feel that George's parents are mine. I felt they were the most understanding in-laws on earth. Hence, I wanted to make sure that everything looks perfect. Right from my home to the food to be served! Although they lived in Richmond, we kept in constant touch. They were proud owners of a house clearance firm that offered clearance services for the people who were moving out and changing their residences. We couldn't wait for them to arrive and an hour before the lunch time, the doorbell rang. “Hello Mrs & Mr Williams! It is a real pleasure to see you...” I said with a smile. “Hello darlings... so happy to see you both!” said George's parents as they hugged both of us. I served them a hot cup of coffee and we started discussing everything right from the weather to politics. After sometime, hunger struck us and we headed towards the dining table.

“So what's for the lunch?” said George. “Hmmm...I smell turkey!” said George's dad. “Yes dad. The menu for today is: Holiday Bacon Appetizers, Broccoli soup, Turkey Mince Hotpot, Garlic Bread Roles, Cranberry Juice And Apple Pie For Dessert.” I said in one breath. “Oh my god! You shouldn’t have cooked so much. I wish Grant and I could help.” “No Judy. It's not too much. We met after such a long time. I love cooking and George helped.” said I. “Yes. I helped Sophia with all the preparations and I must say, my wife has cooked a delicious treat for you both today.” said George as he smiled.

As we were having lunch, George said what I expected him to say. “So my dear parents...there is a good news. Sophia and I are trying to get pregnant” “Wow! That is a great news indeed! Congratulations.” said Judy. “We can't wait to become grand parents and play with a tiny cherub.” said Grant. After a long day and a lot of caring and sharing, it was the time for us to depart. We greeted George's parents with a heavy heart and they left.

Months passed and I was constantly in touch with my Gynaecologist to get updates about my pregnancy status. Still, things were not working out. George and I yearned for a child badly. I used to discuss what might be wrong with my reproductive system with when he suggested us to go for some tests. The next day, George took a day off and both of us were on our way to see the doctor. “Don't worry hon, things will be fine.” said George as he caressed my forehead. George knew me in an out. Even a streak of worrying on my face would let him know what I was thinking. We reached the clinic and after some tests that lasted for a few hours, we left for home. “Fingers crossed.” said I as I closed my eyes that night. I just couldn't sleep. George kept tossing his positions all night. It was quite obvious that he too, was stressed out.

“Please call me as soon as you receive the reports.” said I as George left for his office for the next day. “For sure. Don't you worry sweetheart.” said he. That day, I couldn't concentrate in my work. I was waiting for George's call all day. I didn't call him thinking that he might be busy. At 5:30 pm, the door bell rang and I rushed to open the door. And for the first time in my life, I saw that George's eyes were welled up. “What's wrong love? You seem worried. Are you alright?” I said as I offered a glass of water to him. “I am sorry Sophia.” said George. “There's no one but me to blame that we cannot have a child. My sperm count is low.” We both hugged each other and cried a lot that day. It seemed as if the world had ended. There was no hope.

 

 

We never discussed this issue again and started sharing even a stronger bond. One Saturday morning, George was reading the newspaper and he showed me a piece of news that said “70 children in Hull waiting to be adopted.” Though it might have been a piece of news for everyone, it was a ray of hope for us. We approached the city council of our hometown and we were provided with all the information. The next day, we reached the nearest adoption centre and the authorities took us to the children activity centre wherein we saw some tiny tots playing games. They were busy with their activities when one of them caught my attention. She had curly brown hair and the chubbiest cheeks ever. However, I was quite shocked to see that one of her eye was injured. I asked the authorities when one of them said. “She was an unwanted child probably. Was found by a man in the dustbin near a fire exit sign of a building. Some bird pecked her eye and hence this injury. She is 1 year old and we have named her Isabella.”

 

 

 I was discussing the whole issue with the authorities when I realized George was already playing with her and asking her questions. There was something striking about that girl. Her smile was truly precious. We both loved her. While leaving from the adoption centre, I indicated George that I loved her and heard a tiny voice saying “Bye dadda.” Isabella was waving her hand in enthusiasm and I couldn't take my eyes of her. George rushed and carried her in her arms and kissed her forehead. It felt as if she was god sent. We left from there and had already made a decision. “The girl is an angel Sophia. And we are adopting her.” said George. “I am so happy for both of us.” said I with a smile. “But we will need to make arrangements for her furniture and room and get one designed especially for her. Where will we store her stuff?” I asked. “You know we had seen a storage firm in Oxfordshire during our trip that day? There are similar ones in our area. We will hire one of them” said George.

We finally have someone to look after. And who could be better than someone who is less fortunate!” We reached home. The tyres came to a halt. A new life was going to begin. With an angel named Isabella...