The phone call
838 Words
Natia barely managed to catch the phone Aleksandr tossed to her.
She glared at him, but he wasn’t looking at her any more.
“Allo”
She looked at the phone. Aleksandr had already dialled the number and the call was connected.
“Sasha? Did you find her?”
Natia recognized her father’s voice. She wondered who Sasha was. Then she remembered that Russians have a distinct and elaborate way of giving nicknames which she had no idea of. So, Sasha must be Aleksandr. It also reminded her that she was not at all prepared to move to Russia next year. She neither knew the language nor the customs and traditions.
“Papa! Papa, are you alright?”
“Masha?! Is that you?” Now, Masha was her. Even though Andrey named her Maria, he rarely called her that. He either called her ‘Masha’ or, with more affection, ‘Mashenka’.
“Yes, papa it’s me. What is it that I am hearing, papa? You are going on a trip when you are not well! You should be resting. And why didn’t you tell me that you were sick?!” All her worry was creeping into her voice and she found herself angry at her father.
“Mashenka, papa is alright. I didn’t want to make you worry unnecessarily. It wasn’t that serious anyway.”
“Not serious! How is a heart attack not a serious health problem?!”
“Alright, alright. It is a serious problem. But I had a minor attack and I took three weeks of rest. I am perfectly alright now. The doctors all said I could get back to work. All I need now is a little time with my family, to forget the two miserable weeks I spent in the hospital. You are coming, right? I would have come to get you myself. But taking two long consecutive flights might not be a good idea right now. That’s why I sent Aleksandr.”
“Are you really alright? As you said, it’s a long flight. You could have picked somewhere nearer to you.” She argued.
“I did promise you that I would take you to Hawaii.”
“IS THAT MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR HEALTH!!” Natia almost shouted. She heard grandpa making a disapproving sound. But she couldn’t care right now. “We could go there sometime in the future, when you are more healthy.” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He was taking this much risk based on a stupid promise!
She heard her papa sighing.
“Mashenka... Please come on the trip. You are not too tired from your camping, are you? We will talk face to face in Hawaii. I promise you it will be alright. I have taken all precautions in case of a medical emergency.”
Natia wanted to argue more. But, she couldn’t when he asked her like that. She also remembered he should be resting. And not exerting himself for an argument on something which was most probably a done deal.
“Alright. We will talk when I get there.”
“Now, that’s my girl. Will your grandfather come too?”
“Um..I am not sure. Probably not.”
“I want to talk to him.”
“Okay.” she turned around to give grandpa the phone, but he wasn’t there.
Aleksandr pointed to the kitchen area. Grandpa must have gone to get some refreshments for Aleksandr. She walked to the kitchen and gave him the phone.
There was a cup of tea and a plate with cakes and cookies on the kitchen counter. Grandpa motioned her to take that. She frowned a little. Cakes and cookies this early in the morning! But, she knew better than to question grandpa’s judgement of someone’s taste. He always knows what someone wants. He owns two successful restaurants in the city after all.
So, she took a serving tray, put the cup and plate on it and walked back to the living area. She could hear grandpa talking on the phone.
“Oh no! You must excuse me, Andrey. I can’t come. I am an old man. I need some time to recuperate. No, no. I am fine. Just the usual old age problems. Ah, yes. That’s not a problem. Of course I will be fine alone! I am still healthy... Ha..ha..ha. Ah, right. Well, she is your daughter. Of course, of course.. no need to worry about me... It was good. We had a great time. Ah, yes... well, I need to check up on the restaurants too..”
Natia put the tray on the coffee table. Aleksandr was looking at her intensely like he was trying to see something.
“So the Hawaii trip was already planned. I was wondering how he managed to get the yacht there in a short time. It was on the other side of the world the last time I checked. Well, it’s faster than most yachts, of course. But, still..” He drawled.
- Writer
