DAY 003
For him it was another day closer to fulfilling his purpose. He was driving his car towards to the school. The teaching had been a new experience, something he did not think he would enjoy but anything became fun when done with both passion and purpose.
HE turned into the parking and got out, making his way to the principal's office. He hoped that this was not about another invitation to their family dinner. He hated mingling with people and imposing on them but the principal had been quite persistent.
"Principal Goldstein, its Ethan. You called for me yesterday, but I had a couple of classes. Anything you need?" I aske in my sing song doctor voice and yes doctors aren't inherently polite we train for it, at least I did.
"Ah, yes. I forgot about it. Its good you came to my office otherwise Gena would have chewed me out later. And do call me Edward, we have known each other for a few years now."
"No can do, you are my boss now. Have follow proper protocol. How is the lady of the house anyway? I haven't seen her since last year." I was genuinely curious. She was an absolute power lady. She always tried to smother him with hugs and kisses. She was an absolute joy to be around, though she didn't have much experience with motherly love her kind of related it to her. She was amongst the two women, he intricated with, leaving out of course his soft-spoken spitfire of a friend.
"She is fine and she came up with this brilliant idea the other day. She has invited you to dinner tomorrow and before you decline. I might have to bring up that by protocol I am your superior and if needed I can frame it as an order." He added with a slight smirk.
Augh. I hated family dinners. I had never attended one to know what it was like though most people described them as boring and socially demanding so he usually avoided them. He groaned; he couldn't get out of this one. Well, one evening of this he could endure.
"Alright, I will be there. Moving on I needed a small favor. I need to see a student's file." I asked him probably hoping to get my request granted without too much questions.
"I will have it delivered, but whom if I may ask."
"Shina, Shina Evergreen."
"Isn't she the ...."
"Yes, I did. Now, it would be best if I got the whole file. Her results everything etc."
He looked at me with his piercing gaze probably contemplating reasons for my actions, but I returned the stare. They were my reasons and goal and I didn't care for the method.
"I will have it delivered. Moving on, how has teaching treated you, according to my daughter you have settled in rather nicely."
"Ah, yes, Julia right. Well, it has been eventful and I am making the most of it," in more ways than one I thought.
"Good good. Well then that would be all, I will see you tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you Principal Goldstein. "I said getting a small laugh out of the man.
The cafeteria was buzzing, students were chatting about gossiping about their days or teenage life crises or whatever. Three girls were sitting on a table, one with headphone covering one other ear and the other two were talking to her while looking at their food with no hidden contempt.
"I always question, why don't you eat the cafeteria food Shina,"
"Because, she is not as lazy as you Agnes. She has been bringing her own lunch for years now and you always have the same question." Julia said while rolling her eyes.
"Well, I know that. Its just she never eats anything from the outside vendors as well. I am just asking."
Shina looked at her with a face as if saying 'really, that is what you want to talk about'.
"It just doesn't settle with me. I like to take care of my health. What you eat very instrumental in that regard." It was not a complete lie on her part. She had her own reasons but they were her secret not just something randomly discussed.
"Hey, is that Mr. Ethan over there," she said looking over the window where Mr. Ethan was chatting with a man dressed in a suit. She saw and saw him talking to a man who was dressed in a black suit. He was probably the same age as him.
At night, in a hotel the same two people were having dinner.
The man in the suit asked," So, are you sure it's her."
"Yeah, it is her. I am sure of it."
"Why are you so sure of it, and moreover what is your obsession with her. Just move on man, even if it is her, I reckon she wouldn't even remember it."
"Yeah, she probably doesn't but it doesn't matter, I remember it, that is what matters the most."
"Your choice man, but you have to remember that there are other people that worry about you, Dr. Eva and Rush are worried about you. She even badgered me to tell her why you were quitting." At this he looked over to his friend, "of course, I did not say a word, but you know she is not going to let this go."
"I know, hopefully we can get this over with quickly. How are you on the other task. Have you found a match." He asked the most crucial question.
"No, I am still searching in some other cities, but you know how minute of a chance there is." Mark's voice had become somber trying to portray the seriousness.
He just nodded, and kept on eating, "Keep on searching and do keep me updated. Ahh and I won't be available for tomorrow night, I have to go to dinner at Principal Goldstein's."
"So, he finally got you to accept. He has been trying for what two years now." Mark had a small smirk at his face probably relishing in his friend's misery."
"Yeah, he pulled out the superior card, I couldn't deny him plus I also needed a favor from him. So, I just accepted."
"Good, it wouldn't kill you to accept someone's invite, now that you have some time relax around a bit."
"Sure."