I was tidying up my room and putting things in their right places the next morning, when there was a knock at the door. I wasn't a great enthusiast for neatness, but I also didn't like a messed up home, so managed to do the bare minimum. I waited to finish with the sheet that I was folding, but the door was knocked again after a few seconds, and then again. With each passing second, the knocks were getting intensified. I half assumed it was Lexi and wanted to delay seeing her, even if by a bit. 'Thomas sir! Are you there?' a voice called out. It was Ella. I hollered, 'Just a second, Ella ,' walking towards the door.
I opened the door. Lexi was indeed there, grinning. Ella wore a comfortable light brown tunic and dark culottes. She looked nice in this simple ensemble too. I could see the stiff pleats of her tunic. Well, she always dressed smart.
Looking at Lexi reminded me that this beautiful woman was a single mother. I was curious to know the story behind this big bungalow and her marital status. I invited her inside, but she refused.
The three of us stood silently. Finally, Ella spoke, 'Sorry, but are we disturbing you, sir?'
'Nothing important, Ella ,'I behaved as if I had been called away from solving the biggest mystery of mankind.
'Sir, this is a form that I need you to fill,' Ella waved some paper in front of my face.
'What is this form for?'
'Police verification... basic information of tenants.'
'Oh!' I said, nodding. More of a formality. She had come as a landlord. I took the papers from her and assured her, 'I will fill them and return in some time.'
'Thank you. I have something else to ask. If you don't mind, can you please tell me for how many days are you planning to stay?'
I thought over my response, and she stood there looking at me. She would not leave without getting an answer, I was sure. She looked at me in the same weird way that Lexi did, and it made me shift my weight from one foot to another. Didn't they have anything else to do in life? Their joint gaze was quite unsettling.
I shrugged. 'Maybe six months… Is there any concern?' I was not sure if I would retain my job for six months or not. Still, I dared to give a tentative timeline.
'That is great!' Lexi screamed gleefully with a winner's smile.
Great! Why would she respond like that? This girl was absolutely beyond me.
'How are you managing your food, sir?'
'I cook,' I said with a confident smile this time. 'Great!' Ella said.
The mother and daughter were playing some game of greatness. I needed to distract them for this endless great saga to end.
'Thanks. So, where do you work, Ella?'
'I work in Major Civil Hospital, Borgo Trento. I am the head of the nursing staff there.'
So that was the secret of her fitness, and why she cared about my comfort and food. It was instilled in her because of her profession.
'I have a request to make, sir.' Ella started a bit hesitantly, and I nodded. 'Usually, I drop Lexi to school every morning.' She looked at me with eyes of an overworked mother. 'Will it be possible for you to accompany Lexi to school today?'
Lexi looked like she was dying to go to school. She was blushing like an overripe pumpkin which could blast with happiness any moment. I could see her obsession for me. I desperately wanted to refuse. My situation was bad enough due to Mia, and Lexi was going to be an unnecessary trouble. But then, I was acutely aware of the rent I was paying for this place was insufficient. The favour had created an obligation for me.
Before I could say anything out loud, Ella said, 'There is no obligation, sir.'
'No… no Ella. Not a problem,' I told her promptly.
There were bright smiles on both their faces. She was preparing to leave for the hospital, but I stopped her for a while to ask, 'I need to fill the form and details of the house, Ella. Can I know the name of the owner of this house, please?' I said looking at the form.
'This property is on my name...' was all that she had said when her voice was drowned under that of the main gate bell.
Ella walked up to the gate and opened it. 'Hi, Dr Horace! Good morning…'
Lexi was still standing with me. The girl who until now had been smiling for no reason had suddenly become sad. She did not even go to greet the guest. I knew she was strange, and this added to my doubts. It also scared me that she had this special feature of weirdness only for me. I thought of confirming.
'You look upset, Lexi. Is something wrong?'
'Dr Horace.' She said but did not even turn to look at me. As if she wanted to stare this guy down.
I guessed that he must be a frequent visitor, as Lexi knew him quite well. Could be Ella's colleague.
'But why did you get upset on seeing him?' 'Because I don't like him.'
Ella returned with Dr Horace, 'Horace, this is Thomas sir, our new tenant.'
Horace and I greeted each other. Despite what I felt about Lexi, I tried to understand what could be bothering her.
'Lexi, go get ready, fast! You wouldn't want Thomas sir to get late because of you,' Ella instructed her daughter before she left for the hospital with Horace.
Lexi and I were left alone now.
'Why don't you like him?' I don't know why I was curious. 'Because he is a doctor and he comes often and…' she hesitated. 'And?' I prodded.
'He asks mom out for dinner dates and coffee dates, without me.'
I could sense Lexi felt left out, which would have been okay in a ten or twelve-year-old, but at seventeen…?
'You should not be complaining, Lexi. Your mom is a grown up woman. She knows what she is doing, and if she is going alone with him, it means, maybe she likes him.'
'No, she does not like him!' Lexi said with a certain confidence that surprised me.
'Then why would she go out with him?' 'Because he is a good doctor.'