Sophia's Freedom

Chapter 98 : Who is Jessica

For some reason, Jessica kept herself calm even after what had happened in Namchi. Her calmness, felt like this was not the first time she had hurt someone. It might be either this or the fact that the man responsible for making the life miserable of her nephew was standing in front of her. Sometimes anger can turn an extremely pleasant human being into an emotionless monster.

Vikash was driving the MD5 now, and I was sitting next to him in the front seat. Jessica and Abhinu were in the rear seat. The rest of the bikers were following us too on their bikes.

During the journey back to the village, there was one thing that bothered me. Why was Jessica keeping her link with Abhinu a secret? I felt like asking her but also felt that if Abhinu ask about it that would be better.

It felt like Abhinu had read my mind when he asked the question that was bothering me.

“Jessica Didi can I ask you something…?"

Sure buddy you can ask me anything." 

"Back in the room, out of anger, you said I am your nephew, Why did you say that?"

I turned to look back, eager to know the answer to the question Abhinu asked. I saw Jessica grab Abhinu by her left hand and replied “Honey… it's true… I am your Aunty.”

Abhinu appeared angry when she said that, but allowed her to continue, “back when you were 1 year old, I received a scholarship to complete my Graduation in Psychology, from University of St. Andrews, Scotland.”

“Your mom was totally against it because of my temper issues and a few years ago I got myself involved with some shady people and because of them every now and then I keep getting myself into trouble. We had a big fight and I left the house. We were never in touch ever since.”

Jessica was sad when she was speaking about Abhinu’s mom and continued in the same note, “You know son, your dad was the one who paid my college fees and arranged for completion of my studies. Before I left for Scotland, he made me promise that I would keep myself out of trouble and only concentrate on my studies.”

“A year later your Mom passed away, however, I couldn’t come back to India because of the terms of my visa. I was heartbroken since after the death of your grandma, she raised me as her daughter, and not as a sister. Your grandpa was too busy with his business, that he rarely had time for the two of us.”

“One day I received a letter from your mom where she had mentioned about how proud she was of what I was studying, and that she was sorry for forbidding me to go to the U.K. She also asked me to take care of you if ever you need me.” she paused. I saw tears in Jessica's eyes as she continued "Unfortunately, the letter arrived late, it reached me about a month after her death.”

“Years passed, and I got a job in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and I never got a chance to come back to India.”

“Then how did you come to know I was in trouble...?” Abhinu asked.

She used her other hand and pulled Abhinu’s cheek, smiled and looked at me, and continued “Well you will have to thank Vikram, Koushik, and Joe's dad for that…”

“Huuh… I don’t understand… Aunty…” he paused and replied, “I hope you don’t mind me calling you aunty…”

Suddenly Jessica taunted him “Do I look so old… it is not like you are calling me Grandma do you... come-on dear…”

“Sorry… I won’t call you that…” replied Abhinu…

“Don’t worry honey… I was just joking, you can call me aunty… but just not now… for the moment let no one know that I am related to you, especially your cousin Aamaya…” she paused and continued “I want to know what kind of a girl she is before she realizes that you are not alone in this world. I have plans for her, but we need to be convinced if she is up for the job.”

“What Plans…?” I asked…

“All in right time son… all in right time…” as I was about to say something, Jessica asked Vikash to stop the car as she needs to buy something.

Vikash parked the car on the side of the road next to the Crystal Super Market. “Honey I will tell you how I came to know about you in due time… because telling you about that would mean exposing someone whom we are is trying to keep a secret.”

She continued “Right now, we have other things to take care of…”

She looked at Abhinu and asked, “Honey do you know what size of shoes and clothes Aamaya wear.”

“Of course, di, why not…” Abhinu smiled and replied, “she wears size 5 shoes and for clothes, she wears a size 30.” 

“One last question, do you have any idea about her taste in clothing,” Jessica asked.

“I have seen her mostly in comfortable clothes suitably adjusted to her shape. She has a collection of cute short dresses and gowns. She loves the color pink and red a lot. She generally loses her composure when not in a comfortable outfit and I being the punching bag, end up as part of her discomfort.”

Jessica Replied “Hmmm… I think I got the point…” and both Jessica and Vikash got off the car and went towards the store.

Abhinu and I kept looking at each other’s faces not sure of what was going on in Jessica and Vikash’s minds. I wanted to have a talk with him, but there was nothing that I could think of at the moment.

Surprisingly, I was not at all feeling uncomfortable knowing fully well that I was sitting alone with a trans kid. There was a time when the mere mention of transgender would disgust me, and today, I am sitting right next to one, and if that's not all, I was actually involved in a rescue attempt. I wonder if I knew Sophia and Abhinu were the same person, on the day of the basketball match, would I still have helped him. Gosh, I wonder what my life has suddenly become.

An hour later we saw them return. They were carrying quite a few bags with them. Looking at the number of bags in their hands, it felt like they have purchased a lot of things.

As they got in the car, I saw Abhinu excitedly wanting to explore the bags however Jessica forbade him to do so. “These are not for you… They are for Aamaya…”, she paused and continued “Mrs. Christopher told me in the morning to get some clothes for Aamaya as she is only having 2 pairs of clothes to wear, She will need something to change.”

We didn’t say anything as Jessica continued, “Before we start the journey, I want you all to hear me out.”

Vikash and I turned around to look at Jessica and Abhinu.

“Once we are back at the Village, I want the two of you” pointing her fingers towards me and then to Abhinu “to do what I would ask you now…”

“Ok…” Abhinu and I replied at the same time.

“The two of you will organize a basketball match. Abhinu will be on one team and Joe will be on the other.”

"Ok... thats fine..." I replied

She then turned to look at Abhinu and said "I am going to ask Joe to do something, and son," touching Abhinu's neck from the back and continued "You might not like this... probably it will be difficult for Joe too..."

"What do you have in mind Jessica...?"

                                                         TO BE CONTINUED...

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