Chapter Twenty-Two: The Hunch That Something Is off.

It was really a bad idea switching off her phone, just to avoid her mother's incoming calls because the scene in front of her while she stood outside, a few meters away from their home, made her worried. 

Narika had always known that her mother was the dramatic type,  hence she couldn't blame her for what she did tonight.

There was a detective's car right outside their house, and while she walked closer she heard her mother crying, and talking with detective Homer.

God!

She felt bad instantly, and without a second thought she rushed up to where they stood, and hugged her mother, capturing everyone's attention.

Her father was nowhere to be found, but she wasn't bothered about that anyway since she had come to the conclusion that he didn't value his family, to be so distant lately.

"Mom, I'm so sorry for running out just like that. I didn't know you would be so worried and…" she trailed on, looking at her mother's face who tried so hard to calm her down, before she choked on her words.

"Well she's safe, and it doesn't really sound like something bad happened to her, Mrs. Singh." Detective Homer said, a little bit of annoyance laced his tone, because it felt like it wasn't worthy of him to give up his sleep for an irresponsible lady like her.

Although Narika knew that she was the one to be blamed, but  this was his job. So she didn't see any reason why he would be angry at her mother, for trying to look out for her child.

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but  i just wanted to make sure that she's safe." Mrs. Singh said, rubbing her hands together as if she was feeling cold.

She knew that today was a bad day in the neighborhood, irrespective of the town not being warm towards Morgana the witch. They had to pay their last rites to the now dead woman.

She had earlier gone to say her condolences to the Wintergreen family, Zoe's mother, Aurora, wasn't taking it easy while Zoe had said some things that didn't settle quite well with her, about her daughter.

Detective Homer let out a deep breath, before putting his walkie talkies back in its holster, then turned to face the woman.

"It's okay, but i would advise you to lecture you child on the need to not pull such a prank, on her mother next time," 

Narika gasped at his silliness, prank? He thinks that she would be able to prank her mother, about such a thing.

It's not as if he's a guest in this town, and doesn't know that she feels bad about Zoe's loss. So why the hate?

With that being said, Detective Homer put on his hat and went for his car while her mother waved at him, one more time.

Figures! She's feeling bad for having called him, and it's all her fault. But him talking to her in that silly manner, was totally off the hook.

"Mom… "She called her attention, as she stood still with her back facing her. She was angry, but was holding back from scolding her.

" Let's go in, it's cold outside, '' Mrs.Singh said coldly, giving her daughter the initial hint that something was wrong.

She wasn't the type to  be  this cold towards her, if anything she should be comforting her because of her best friend loss.

But regardless of her cold attitude, she walked in with her with no utterances left between the two.

"Let me heat up dinner," Mrs. Singh said, walking straight for the kitchen but was stopped by Narika's statement.

" Mom, You can't really think that i would make you this worried, right?" She asked nervously, her mother's actions were scaring her. This is the first time she's doing this, acting as if it was not her baby that was right here with her, safe and sound.

But it was all her fault. The guilt was eating her up, and she couldn't help but wonder how she would be able to take in what she has been experiencing for the past few days about Adrik.

Would she call her crazy?

Would she look at her differently, and start to wither away from her just like she's doing right now?

"There's no need for you to prove anything, you are safe and that's what matters."Her mother robotically said, without no emotion on her face, which made her worried that this wasn't entirely about her.

"Where's dad?" She asked quizzically, looking around to notice that nothing much has changed around here, meaning that he didn't make it home again.

"He had an emergency and would be returning early tomorrow. Don't worry, I didn't let him know about your little stunt earlier." Mrs. Singh answered her, and her last statement made Narika grumpy.

"Mom, I said i was sorry."She notified her.

"You didn't remember that when you chose to switch your phone on me, did it not occur to you that these past few days you have been acting weirdly, and then running out on me this morning, added the top of the list that I'm a bad mother who doesn't know her child."

This time around, her mother's voice cracked which made the young lady notice that she's already crying.

"Mom, please don't say that," she pleaded, walking up to where she was, and tilted her mother's face up to meet hers." It's not your fault, you did nothing wrong. It's just work stress, which i couldn't let you know because i didn't want you to worry."

Narika lied, she didn't let her know the full story about her on and off attitude this morning.

"Really?" Mrs. Singh asked, as if she was finding it hard to believe what she said, and that made Narika scared for a while before she put on a smile on her face.

"You are not hiding anything from me right?" The woman added, she went and took Narika's hands into her own. It startled the girl's curiosity. " You know mother's here to listen to everything…anything at all sweetheart."

Narika chuckled nervously," Mom, what's wrong with you tonight? Ofcourse, I'm fine. I will be fine mother, I just need to call Zoe and…"

"There's no need for that!" The woman cut her off instantly, the mention of Zoe's name made her crunch her face instantly and that bothered her.

"I really want to know how she's doing mother, you know…"She tried to explain the need for her to do that, but again..

"And i said there's no need for that, Zoe is fine, Narika. All you need is rest, everyone is stressed out and the faster you get some sleep, the faster you will be really fine in the morning." 

Mrs. Singh said, taking her hand into hers as she dished out her own portion of the meal," Here, eat up. I will keep your bag in your room, and prepare your bath for you ." She offered with a smile, but Narika declined. She was stressing herself.

"I can do that.."

"I insist, eat up child, you are too skinny. ''She rubbed her face, before she took up her bag and left the dining room while Narina helped herself to eat.

She hasn't eaten since morning, and just the smell of her mother's cooking triggered her taste buds.

Yeah, that's all she needed right now. Her mother's food, and enough rest to get through for what the next day had in store for her.

She still found it surprising that her mother didn't want her calling Zoe, there was this slightest suspicion that something was wrong but what's worse that can happen if not Adrik?

The crazy asshole ghost!