CONTINUATION
MARISSA was somewhat surprised at herself for thinking that way because Aditya’s grief and his son’s trauma had touched her. She knew he was simply showing appreciation for her care and patience in working with the child.

“I guess because he’s so darn good-looking; others would see things differently,” she alluded to herself. “So I’ll just leave that there.”

Her weekend began busy as always with many personal tasks she had to do which were quite tiring. That Saturday evening when she was just thinking of relaxing with a glass of wine and watching a movie, her friends called. They wanted to pick her up for cocktails at Kosmos in Movietowne. She was tired and didn’t feel like going out but on second thought she realised it was also a way of relaxing.

The cocktail bar and lounge was almost filled and they took a table outside so they can sit in the ambience of the attractive night scenes and cool breeze blowing in from the Atlantic. They sipped their favourite cocktails, enjoying the appetising finger foods, chatting and laughing lightly at humourous things said.

“It’s the life,” Cindy said with a sigh of satisfaction, “after five days of hard work.”

“It sure is,” Marissa and Shivanie agreed.

The girls touched glasses and a few moments later, Cindy announced in a dramatic low tone, “Hey, it’s the grieving widower.”

Marissa turned to look and saw Aditya being seated three tables away with a young man and two fashionable young ladies. He was smiling and looked quite happy.

“Well, hello,” Shivanie exclaimed in a low tone.

Though she was surprised, Marissa stated, “He does have to live his life. It would give him some reprieve from the pain of his loss until he can put it behind him.”
“What are you, a psychologist now?” Cindy asked with a little laugh.

“No, but I read a lot so I understand some things of the human mind.”

“And added to that the compassion you feel for people you don’t know,” Shivanie chimed in.

“Well, that’s me,” Marissa smiled, raising her almost empty glass.

“Oh, we need to order another round.”

Cindy looked around to signal the waitress who had served them and said hushedly, “Don’t look, he’s coming our way.”

Marissa turned to look at him when he greeted them.

“Hello ladies, nice evening out?”

“Yes,” Cindy and Shivanie answered at the same time.

“That’s good,” and looking at Marissa, he said with an admiring smile, “You’re looking quite lovely.”

She smiled graciously, “Thank you.”

The waitress arrived the same time and he said to her, “Whatever these ladies are having, it’s on me.”

Before any of the girls could say anything, he smiled and said, “Enjoy your evening,” and returned to his table.

Shivanie and Cindy looked at Marissa, saying teasingly, “Well, well.”

“Listen,” Marissa said in a cautionary tone, “The two of you don’t start with that again.”

The evening wore on, not too late and though Marissa tried her utmost not to look his way, a strange urge made her do and each time his eyes met hers. It caused a warm, fuzzy feeling to pulse through her being and she took deep breaths, to keep it from her thoughts.

When they were ready to leave, he returned to their table and enquired if they had a ride home.

“Yes, we do,” Marissa said, “Thank you.”

“It was nice seeing you tonight,” he paused then added, “out of school.”

She laughed a little and left with her friends.

Somehow she found herself looking forward to seeing him in the morning, but on Monday morning he did not bring Aryan to school. His niece did but he came for him in the afternoon.

“I’m sorry for my absence from school this morning.”

“You’re excused,” she said, humouring him.

“So how’s my little scholar doing?”

“Much improvement,” she answered, “He’s quite a smart kid.”

“That’s really good to hear.”

Marissa finished putting her desk in order as they spoke and she was getting ready to leave when he asked a little hesitantly, “Can I talk with you a little while more?”
“Sure.”

She sat down and motioned him to sit as Aryan played with his toy dinosaur.

“I will have to leave again soon for a short period so operations can run smoothly and to look at ways of shifting some investments closer to home.”

“How soon?”

“In another week.”

“That’s so soon,” she said with a little concern, looking at Aryan, “And he’s doing so good now.”

Aditya sighed, concern also on his face but a glint of hope in his eyes.

“I take comfort in the fact that he has you for those six hours in the day because somehow your care and patience have impacted his mind.”

He paused a little and continued, “Since his mother died, he’s hardly smiled and sits quietly but now he’s laughing, running and playing.”

There was a glint of tears in his eyes that he hurriedly blinked away and Marissa touched again for the child said, “I’m so happy to hear that his mind is opening up to the fun of learning, having friends and —,”

“And his teacher,” he interrupted her.

She smiled with that signature warmth, “I’m happy when they are.”

He looked at her and surmised, “I’m sure when you go to bed you fall asleep with a little smile on your face.”

“I wouldn’t know,” she laughed gently.

“Well, thank you for the little extra time,” he said, getting up.

“You’re always welcome to talk to me on your child’s progress at school.”

He nodded and took Aryan’s hand to leave but at the door the child turned and ran back, putting his little arms around Marissa’s waist; that took her by surprise.

There was a look of conflicting emotions on Aditya’s face, for a husband who suffered a great loss and a father who wants to see his son have the love and care he misses from his mother.

“That’s what I told you,” he said to Marissa, “There’s something about you that he likes.”

Marissa said nothing for she wasn’t sure what to say.

And that night as she closed her eyes to sleep, she wondered, “What role do I play in all of this?”
To be continued…