When Lexi asked the cab driver to finally stop, we had travelled about four kilometres from school. I got down and pulled out the bags. Looking around, I was nothing less than astonished. We were in the posh Baner area, and in every house's driveway stood a BMW or a Mercedes. You would think they were buying cars to shoo each other away; each one was better and grander than the previous. The potted plants and the hedges over boundary walls grew perfectly, neatly maintained and quite charming. As far as my eyes could see, I could not spot a single thing out of place. No stray animals, no litter, not even overgrown bushes - it was amazing. There were shady trees on both sides of the lane, and some bore flowers also. It seemed like a dream sequence, till I heard a bark.
A few dogs of breeds I did not even know the names of approached the metal gates of their respective houses on hearing a strange vehicle break the quiet of their lazy afternoon.
Lexi turned around and approached a house that seemed the smallest in the locality. It was then that I noticed the two-storied house which had been behind my back till now. The house was screaming, "I am very old." The faded walls confirmed that it had been a long time since someone had paid any heed to it. Compared to the neighbouring houses, this house seemed from another world. It needed emergency treatment for an upliftment, given the overgrown shrubs in the garden, the peeling paint and a sad outer facade.
A great location and poor maintenance says a lot about the financial status of the owner. Now I could understand why this strange girl was so desperate to offer me an accommodation on rent. Maybe the owners needed an emergency facelift too.
'Sir, the ground floor is available for rent. Please wait here. I will get the keys for you.' Lexi chirped, eager to show me around. There was a strange enthusiasm in her, which made me somewhat uncomfortable. Not something out of place, though, as I have seen similar emotions and its expression in kids when they see their favourite relative, or when someone offers them their favourite ice cream. I told myself I would have to get
accustomed to her over excitement around me all the time, rather than feel taken aback by it.
As Lexi had climbed up the stairs to get the key, I had looked around at the unkempt garden and the small parking space that definitely could not accommodate a fancy car. The house was a definite misfit in a posh locality. But at the end of it all, if this girl actually lived here, and I would get accommodation in this locality after being thrown out of the hostel. I would have to admit – miracles do happen.
I looked around again and saw Lexi climbing up the stairs at leisure. It seemed like a task for her. The lazy girl.
Lexi finally came back, after a long long time, with a bunch of keys with her. She opened the chipped wooden door on the ground floor.
She pushed open the door and entered swiftly, moving around the room to switch on the lights and fan. I was curious to see what this place looked like, but was hesitant to go inside. An empty house and a teenage girl were not really a recommended combination for me. I did not wish to give anyone a wrong impression. Too much had gone wrong in a matter of a day. My career, character and almost my entire life was at stake here.
'Come in, sir,' Lexi bent her head to peep out at me.
I stepped in. The house seemed spacious. The sitting room was flanked by two rooms. Behind the room on the right was a smaller room, which was the kitchen. In the centre of the kitchen was an old but sturdy wooden table, with two chairs. Below the cooking slab were wooden racks to store things. In one corner was a small sink for washing dishes. Next to the kitchen was a narrow but clean bathroom.
The bedroom had a double bed, along with mattresses and a couple of soft looking pillows, which lacked covers for now. There was a wooden wardrobe lining one wall of the room, a full-length mirror in the centre. Crossing the room to have a look, I happened to glance at my reflection. The only word that came to mind on seeing the man in the mirror was exhausted.
I raised my head to thank the lord. I had a roof over my head. That was when I saw the ceiling fan, quite sleek and comparatively new. After the facilities at the staff flat, this place seemed like a hotel with essential
amenities. I was extremely happy to have landed at this place. And then the worrying thought stuck me - the rent.
We walked around and saw the place, eventually returning to the sitting room, where I had left my bags. I didn't see any film of dust which is usual in locked-up houses. The place had not been vacant for too long.
Lexi made herself comfortable on a woven chair placed around a round wooden table, and gestured at me to take the other chair. She told me with a wide smile that we were waiting for her mother.
I was trying hard to organise the chaotic thoughts running all over my mind when I heard someone call out.
'leexiiiiiiii….'
The feminine, soft voice was loving, yet firm to flaunt her connection with Lexi.
'Mom! I am here,' Lexi replied in a similar loving tone.
A moment later, a woman in loose fitting dark blue jeans and a flowy yellow top walked into the sitting room. I looked at Lexi, then at the woman, to notice the uncanny similarity in their features, confirming to me that she was the "mom".
Lexi looked much like her mother, but something was amiss. Perhaps a lively spark. I don't know. And this woman, she did not look like a mother to a seventeen-year-old at all. There was no superfluous fat anywhere, the long nose on her oval face was sharp, her high cheekbones gave her face a strange charm, her skin glowed, and she was wearing a light pink gloss on her thin lips. Her hair was cut short, and the boyish cut delicately framed her face. I also took in her delicate neck, and the way her top hugged her breasts, flowing over her flat belly. My eyes had lingered where I could see the jeans meeting the top. The devil within me had wanted to touch, explore some more. I was almost wishing for the fan to work its magic and sweep the top up a bit. As Lexi went forth and hugged her gorgeous mother, my eyes waited at her shapely behind, then travelled down the length of the leg, concealed from my sight. There was a lot running in my mind, but the words that rang the loudest in my head were, "She is the landlord!"
When there is a good flat in front of you and not much money in the pocket, then the landlord deserves more respect than any other Lord.
'Hi, how are you, sir?' the melodious voice asked me as she turned around to look at me.
I put forth my best puppy face and gave her a polite smile in return. I did not have a tail, or else I would have started wagging it, to grandly welcome the owner of the house.
'I am good, ma'am. How about you?'
She had addressed me as sir. I knew she was older to me, but this word is a nomenclature for me by virtue of my profession. In the education industry, once you become a teacher, the entire universe – students' parents, their grandparents, their children in future, and everyone who as much as gets to know your profession – addresses you as sir.
'Great!' She extended her hand to take mine into hers softly. 'I am Ella.' I really liked her uninhibited handshake. 'I am Thomas Hale.'
She gave me a queer look, as if she was trying to decipher me. I knew what checking out is, and I also know when someone stares at you suspiciously. Her look was somewhere between the two. I thought she had discovered something unusual on my face. Or maybe someone she knew looked like me. Perhaps it was a family hobby to stare at a stranger's faces.
I noticed she had the same brown eyes as me and Lexi. It was an amazing coincidence.
'How is the place?' Ella smiled at me. 'Hope,you liked the room. I know it's a little untidy…' she mock-glared at her child, '…but she informed me at the eleventh hour!'
She was calling this place untidy! She had definitely never seen how bachelors lived.
'No issues… It's good enough.'
'Is this all of your luggage?' she looked at my bags. 'Yes!'
I really wanted to lie down and rest for a while. My body had been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours, and needed some rest. But it seemed I still needed to answer some questions. Any wrong answer could push me back into flat hunt.
'Are you shifting with your family, sir?'
My throat went dry. I wondered if I could lose this place if the answer did not match up with Ella's expectations. After the experience at the realtor's office, I did not think I had the courage to bear it.
The demon in me urged me to pass the buck on to Lexi. Why had she not explained my situation before offering the place to me? Now here I stood, forced to contemplate between lying and keeping the place.
But Lexi was just a teenager, my heart said. She had done enough by helping me the way she had. I summoned all my courage and said, 'I am not married, and my family lives in another city. So, I live alone.'
Ella's face turned grim. A smiling landlord turning serious. But I was surprised. My answer had brought a smile on Lexi's face. I was a little shaken to realise that my marital status had affected her and her mother so differently.
'Excuse me, sir,' Ella said politely and turned to her daughter. 'Lexi, can we talk for a moment?' She stepped out of the sitting room.
For the first time since we met, I felt bad for the young girl. Was she in trouble?
Lexi turned to look at me as she followed Ella out of the house. I tried to return a sympathetic look, but she winked at me, smiling slyly. I was shocked! Clearly. After all, it was not expected behaviour when you met someone for the first time. Especially your school teacher.
I turned to my dried-up phone. I stared at it, as if it was the greatest invention on earth.
Their private discussion was not exactly private. Naturally, in a quiet locality like theirs, you could hear even whispers. Ella seemed clearly uncomfortable with having a single man living in her house.
The mother-daughter duo argued for some time, both throwing glances in the direction of the house time and again – Ella, agitated; Lexi, overexcited. But finally, they seemed to reach a consensus. 'Sir, sorry, Lexi had not given me all your details,' she said hesitantly.
The word 'sorry'stuck to my ears and I was sure this was a polite way of asking me to get lost. I didn't know what to say, for my hopes were crashing.
I looked up only when I heard Ella say, 'It's okay…'
'What did you tell your mother, Lexi?' I asked with a fake bright smile, hoping it would lighten the mood a bit.
'Sir, I told her you are just like a family member,' Lexi said innocently, but I did not miss the strange spark in her eyes as she said that. Teenagers confused me, and Lexi was turning out to be the most challenging one to tackle.
I gave her a frustrated look. She was smiling for no reason. I wanted to explode on Lexi, give her a piece of my mind for having wasted my day. I would have pestered the broker into finding a place for me by now. But she seemed to be happily lost in a world of her own creation.
I cursed myself. Why had I believed this girl's words? I resigned to my fate and decided to make a move.
'I am sorry, ma'am. This is all a big miscommunication, I think,' I said, looking at Lexi who retained her strange smile, and then looking at Ella who looked flushed. 'I had no intention to put you in such a tight spot. But you don't have to worry too much. I will find another place. It's absolutely fine,' I lied seamlessly, faking a perfect smile. I had mastered the difficult art of lying. After all, I had practised it my entire life.
Ella suddenly flashed a genuine smile and said, 'It's okay, sir… no trouble at all. You can stay here.'
I looked up at her to gauge whether this was a joke. But no, she was smiling, and nodding her head. Ella's words made my day. The million-dollar, ear to ear smile on my oval face turned it into a perfectly circular penny.
'Just one request, sir. Since you will be living here on your own, we will close the second room at the back. I hope that's okay.' She had barely finished when I nodded my head, accepting her condition. She quickly added, 'Lexi and I stay on the first floor. You are free to use the terrace whenever you want.'
I nodded, relieved, happy and quite charged up.
Ella then led the way into the house and updated me about the house and amenities in detail, like a pro. She showed me the kitchen area, storage spaces, the geyser, electricity meter, garbage disposal method, doorbell and
RO water supply. Her clear instructions made it apparent that I wasn't the first tenant she was dealing with.
Though the dilemma over this place had ended, yet, my agony had no end. Her help, her explanations, and mild manners -everything was making me restless. I desperately wanted to clarify the thing that mattered the most to me. Without it, all this would be useless.
'Ma'am, what would the rent be?' I said hesitantly, literally crossing my fingers behind my back to cross this last hurdle.
Lexi smiled again, and I barely controlled my anger. I wondered what was going on in this little girl's head, because clearly, there was something cooking.
Focussing my energy back on Ella, I knew I could manage to pay up to seven hundred Euros, but my business acumen prompted me to quote the lowest price first. I was sure this place would be out on rent for way more than that, but I had to keep in mind my expenses too. I planned to check the facial expression of the landlady for the degree of displeasure this question had brought, and then decide if I needed to exponentially increase the bid.
'I think five hundred Euros is sufficient rent…' came Lexi's sweet, low voice from right next to Ella. I don't know how Ella reacted, because I myself was quite taken aback. I could not even fake a smile this time, because it was so embarrassing to say that price out loud. Five hundred Euros for an entire floor of a semi furnished flat in the heart of the city was a very poor joke!
Ella glared at Lexi now. Then rolled her eyes to look at me.
'I could pay six hundred…' I increased my bid. I didn't want my quoted price to get me thrown out of the flat.
'No issues, sir. Pay as much you can afford,' Lexi offered magnanimously. I wondered who was taking the call here. Ella could only look at me, smile and nod in affirmation. I couldn't help but think what Lexi had told her mother to get this done from her. Was she blackmailing her or something? Because it wasn't possible otherwise.
Then, Ella asked a horrible question. 'Why did you leave the school staff accommodation? I think most teachers have to live in the school premises only.'
I hesitated, then answered with a sigh, 'Actually, they have made it exclusive for families.'
Ella nodded. She had accepted my excuse and had no doubt on my intentions. For the first time ever, my bachelorhood was used for the right reason, and that too, in front of two females.
She shared her number, saying, 'Please do not hesitate to call me if you need any sort of help.' Her thin lips curved into a charming smile.
This had to be my lucky day. A great flat for minimal rent, a beautiful landlady who was polite, and the gorgeous woman's phone number, which she shared herself. I was smiling to myself at the way things were going, when I noticed that although Ella had started towards the stairs to the first floor, Lexi was still in the sitting room with me. And I had no idea why she kept looking at me like that and smiling.
'Lexi, come fast… I can't keep lunch waiting any longer,' Ella called from the stairs.
'Mom, I want to help sir,' the girl shouted back.
'Come on, Lexi! It will delay your medicine,' Ella tried to reason, and not very calmly.
'Don't bother, Lexi. I don't have much luggage. I will manage. You go on! Your mom's waiting.'
'Relax sir! I am okay.'
Lexi seemed too sweet and helpful. I mean, who lies for a stranger, rather a favourite teacher and offers a part of their home for negligible rent? She was asking how she could be of help, so I gave her a bag to unpack which had all my books. I was, after all, a teacher. But the collection did not reflect what I am trying to portray. I had only a few mathematics books, one physics book, and an entire load of erotica. I realised I shouldn't have taken the risk, but now it was too late.
As Lexi was stacking the books, she picked one and read out the title, ' Fif ty Shades of Grey …! I have heard a lot about this book. Can I borrow it for reading?' she chirped.
A teenager was asking my permission to read F ifty Shades of G re y . I would have given it. What if her mom got to know that her so-called maths teacher was giving out books related to biology? You know what I mean!
'No.' I said instantly, and then calmed myself a bit to add, 'I mean, you have your board exams coming up. I think you need to focus on your studies more.'
She did not seem to take any offense. I don't think she delved into the matter much, for her next question was, 'How do you find my mom?'
Completely unrelated, irrelevant and quite irrational! But the question made me think back on how much porn sites earned from 'hot mom'videos. Lexi's mom was straight out of the furnace, scintillating hot!
'Your mom is very helpful and efficient, Lexi. Manages things quite commendably,' I replied out loud, putting the demon in my head to rest.
Hearing that, Lexi hugged me. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I had not expected it at all, and though it seemed like a reflex action from her side, I was quite uncomfortable.
'Thanks for coming here, sir.'
It was an embarrassing situation. Here I was fantasizing about her mom, while she seemed to want to be overtly close to me. I had to insist for her to go and have her lunch with Ella, and she reluctantly agreed.
When she left the room, I had a nagging feeling that she wanted to stay back and ask more questions. But thankfully, she left.
I closed the door behind her, lest she changed her mind, and went to lie down for some time. I had been craving this time with myself ever since things went out of control the previous day. I took a deep breath and tried to analyse the day as I stared at the ceiling fan. A cunning smile lit up my face as I lay on the bed. Lexi had helped me put a neat bedsheet and pillow covers on it.
'A house with two females and a male tenant,' I thought aloud. 'The perfect plot for an erotic movie.' I kept smiling foolishly at my own thoughts. Lexi's mom kept wandering in and out of my mind.
I said with a sly smile, 'I think I really liked your mom, Lexi.'