"I don"t understand Jason.. " said Tina, Fred looked at her and said, "Tina, I think he likes you.. " she looked at him incredulously.. she said, "nonsense.. he knows that we are together.. " Fred said, "yes, but he doesn"t know that we are serious.. " Tina muttered under her breath.. "are we? huh? " he said, "what? " she said, "are we serious? " Fred said, "are we not? we spent some serious quality time together.. had great moments... the s.e.x was amazing.. I introduced you to my relatives.. what more you need to understand that this is serious..?? " Tina said, "I don"t know.. ask Jason.. " and she stormed off..Fred didn"t understand.. he kept staring at her... this is the first time she behaved like this.. she never walked away from him.. he felt completely lost.. yet he looked at her and said, "You are my girl.. I will make sure everyone gets to know that.. " He made few calls and smiled to himself..
Tina felt stupid.. why did she feel irritated... she knew that Fred was serious.. what more she wanted.. she didn"t understand.. they were in love... she called her mom, she said, "mom.. what are you doing..? " her mom was puzzled, Tina never called her when she was at office.. she said, "nothing dear.. what happened? are you alright? " Tina said, "mom, is it ok if I bring someone home for dinner? " her mom said, "of course dear.. is it your friend Fred? " Tina blushed, and said in a breathy tone.. "mom.. yes.. what do you think about him? " her mom said, "I like him.. even your Dad likes him.. I will cook something good.. does he eat chicken? " Tina said, "you are the best cook in the world.. and you are the best mother.. I love you.. see you, " and she hung up..
Her mom was excited.. she started thinking about the menu for dinner.. her daughter faced so much.. yet she didn"t break.. she became stronger... but she withdrew into a protective sh.e.l.l.. the sh.e.l.l which didn"t even let her parents come near her.. she put on a brave face.. yet she was vulnerable.. her precious baby.. how good that nice things are happening to her again..
Tina texted Fred.. "sorry for walking away.. I didn"t know why I became mad.. mom is making chicken tonight... come home for dinner.. I want you to meet my parents.. " she waited for his response.. her phone vibrated, it was Fred.. he simply replied, "ok" Tina felt little taken aback.. Fred always typed long messages.. this was the first time he responded in a single word.. she shrugged and got back to work..
Jason was happy.. she agreed to help him.. decorating his flat was a ruse... he was just laying few cards on the table.. he was testing his fortune.. he thought.. "I hope she becomes mine.. "
Meanwhile Fred didn"t go and talk to Tina, he was busy working.. yet he was cheerful.. meeting her parents.. he felt finally things were moving.. he very much intended for people to know that she belonged to him and he belonged to her.. he couldn"t even bare the thought of her going and decorating some other guy"s flat.. how dare he ask her.. he felt like going and asking Jason what were his intentions... but there was no need to worry.. he was completely confident that Tina can handle him.. and he didn"t feel the need to go and mark his territory around her.. he wanted her to be free and decide for herself.. as long as they cared for each other honestly... no one was a threat..
Tina completed her work, she went to Fred"s desk, he was typing an email.. he looked at her, and said, "go on.. I will reach around 9..is it fine? " Tina smiled and nodded, she left for the day.. looking at her departing figure, he smiled to himself.. he said, "you are in for a surprise baby.. "
After Tina left, he too went to Jason"s office and informed him that he was leaving for the day.. Jason nodded.. once Fred left, he came out of his office.. almost everyone left.. his secretory too left.. he felt little lonely.. he couldn"t shake it off.. having success doesn"t count.. you must have someone to celebrate your success with..
Tina went home, she went into the kitchen, she said, "mom, you started already.. " her mom smiled at her and said, "of course.. I am excited.. I am really happy.. go and relax for some time.. " Tina said, "mom, I will help you cook.. " she said, "no need.. go and change.. wear something nice.. " it was almost 8"o clock..
Tina went and decided to wear something nice.. she took out a white saree decorated with beautiful Swarowski crystals.. her mom got it for her last Christmas.. it was a limited edition designer piece.. she took it out, went and showered.. she dressed up and went into the sitting room.. her mom was setting up the dinner table.. it was almost 9..
The door bell rang, she went and opened the door.. Fred was standing between an elderly couple.. the lady had sharp features and resembled Fred a lot.. while the gentleman had an old world charm about himself.. Fred said, "Mom, Dad, this is Tina.. "