Chapter 4

At last I reached school . As I entered I saw someone familiar . Oh my not today I don't want my day to be ruined. What is she doing here anyway ? Till the time I got a plan to hide , she turned around ....I could no longer hide myself . " Hi , What are you doing here ? " I asked then I realised I had said it a lot rudely , so I asked again calmly " Do you have any work here Ann? " .

She just looked at me happily as if she has found her missing diamond " I only came here to surprise you " she said and came closer to me for a tight hug ...I almost choked from her love " And I think my plan worked " . When she left me from her grip she looked at my face and asked " Aren't you happy to see me? " in a childlike voice. " No , its not like that ....I am happy to see you but you always come at home as well as with pre- announcement , but you came here " I said almost breathlessly . " Actually I wanted to see my little girl all grown up today ....Oh my I can't believe it you are sixteen now" she cooed me " And look at you ....how beautiful you have become " she said with a motherly affection.

" Ann I am getting late for my class ....I will see you later " I said in order to know what her plan was . " No....no " she said, with the movement of her neck " I am waiting here for you untill you finish your classes , then we both can go home together " she said excitingly. " Ann, actually I think maybe I have some group work today and I might get late " I lied in order to get rid of her " I won't like you waiting for me , like its my first day of school " I said angrily . " Its not a problem at all I will wait, as long as you take " she said as if she didn't see my angry face at all.

Then her face as if became softer and she said " You have put your surname now " as if to distract me. " Yes , aunt told me a little about them , then I got a photo of them from the attic . On the back of it was written ' Mr and Mrs Lazarillo ' ....I got to know from there" I said softly and then scolded myself for being so stupid . Her plan of distraction worked.

" Now go.....else you will be late for your class and I will be waiting for you over here " she said at the same time combing my hair with her hand " Take as much time as you want ....I won't mind " . By this time I knew there was no scope of argument . Then I heard the sound of the bell , from that I got to know I was late again as per my regular routine . Seriously Ann can be so persuasive. I quickly kissed Ann on her cheek and made my way through the crowd towards my class.

My day went on a slow pace . The whole time I was in dilemma , as to if I should tell Ann about uncle aunt ' s behaviour towards me . I thought if I wanted to tell her then now is the best time , no one was around but .....What she will do about it ? Till my classes got over and I was on my way towards Ann , I had my mind totally made up that I won't tell her anything as, firstly she won't be able to help me and on top of that she will get worried , secondly I had promised myself that I won't tell her anything , even though its a very big thing and I had to keep that promise to myself.

When I reached her , I saw that she was in deep thought about something . I took a deep breath and asked " Shall we go now ? " . " Sure lets go " she said . On the way home , Ann and I talked about just everything except .....about the problems but about the school the safe subject .But throughout the way I prayed that uncle and aunt behave well with her , as this is the first time she will be coming home unannounced and they won't be prepared .' Please , I don't want Ann to know anything ' I said to myself.

When we reached home , I opened the door with my spare key and quickly went inside before Ann . " Hi everyone , I am home and look I have got a guest with me as well ..... ANN IS HERE " I almost shouted as a warning. Everyone came to the doorway with shocked faces .

" Hi everyone , I didn't mean to shock you all " said Ann with sarcasm , which was totally visible. Aunt Romana changed her expression and said " Actually we didn't expected you .....so we were a little shocked .....but its nice to see you here " .

" Actually I have a very important work thats why I came.. with both of you " she said . Uncle and Aunt looked at each other with a confused expression .She looked at me and said " Why don't you freshen up , till the time I have a talk with your uncle and aunty " . I nodded and went to my room without a word , when I looked back before closing the door , I saw Ann along with uncle and aunt proceeding towards the drawing room .

What is so important that Ann wants to talk , I thought before closing my door .