The bell rang as my duty ended.. “So students..for this summer holidays I want you to write about your opinion on The thesis of Darwin..” I gathered my books and bet them against the table to place them in sync while giving my last lecture to my dear students. “you might be thinking that..why we need to give our own opinion on something almost everyone agreed with?“ I smirked, placed the books aside as I placed my palm on the table balanced myself over it. “You need to do it.. Becouse.. There is always an anti thesis of every thesis.., Karl Marx said”

            I stared at the silent crowd in front of me..some nodded some looks already tired some almost ready to go out of class..which gives me disgust..but I nodded my head and throw my hands towards the gate with a smile “alright , class dismiss..” and some got up immediately as if they were Waiting for their entire life to hear this Sentence..I waited still at my place to finally inhale in an empty hall. I stared at the edge of the sites and recalling my memories of being there.. Gazing at my teacher..at this very moment someone knocked at the gate breaking me out of my thoughts.

   I looked at the person just to found miss Hughes.. Appeard before me... Her brown hair looks golden as the Drowning sun throw his golden light on her.. Her pale skin looks soften..it was hard to see her face properly until she came close enough and looked at me with her Hazel brown eyes.. “Mr. Foster “ she smiled “ You seem tired..i thought you will come to give back these books...”

 She kept talking as I keep staring at her pale face..“but you didn't come..so I thought of visit you instead..and take those books..as you know library is going to be close soon..sir..are you even listening?” i snapped back to reality...OH! The shameless me..!

“my extram apology to you miss Hughes” I bowed my head in an act of apology while giggling . She is my wife! My pretty wife..! I met her here in this university.. my years passed here with her..i don't even remember when I finally found my love for her..and soon i proposed her..now we are married for thirty years with a son...!

     She kissed me on my lips and grabbed the books from my table..“let's . it's already late .SIR” and I followed her lead..

  I waited outside at the campus yard.. Autom is already ended..the whether became hotter.. thoThoughe British summer is different from where I me– , well for the information I had been a teacher in India for years when I technically started my career..but why India? Well..interesting but when India was getting independent like many people my ancestors choose to stay there..and we did so..I was born there and did my schooling and all in India..for like thirty-five years I came to Britain to and settled there..my parents always said.. This is where I belong! But still they were the one who let me grow in totally different environment from British environment..

     But when I think of that land..it made me realise I have been there..my first love..that one woman...that one irritating one... I smiled i know I'm.. because I always whenever she appeard on my head

     My days gone like that.. Waking up at six , daily reading the newspaper while having my hot coffee made by my Emma

She is the best wife i guess.. People call me lucky that I have her..but she always denied saying that She is lucky to have Me ! Oh! good lord! How am I not going to love this angel...

     This morning Professor parker visited me.. it's not new.. Though he lives in London he always come in the morning whenever he has business here in Cambridge. “Yes Richard! Hahaa” He would have laughed with his deep down voice “You know how I love your company” “so do I Mr. Parker” each day we come up with different topics mostly he explains about his new research on some random rural areas and African tribal people. He is one of the best anthropologist i know.

    “So Richard! What are you working on right now?” i picked up my cup and had a sip and placed it back on the table “Nothing much just giving lecture..” Parker frowned.He immediately put his cup on the table, and crossed his arms.“Why? Richard? Are you oky?” i smiled at him “No no parker... it's not a big deal.. don't worry..” i bend against the chair I was sitting “I'm juts taking some break.. Maybe for a month...” we heard Emma mumbling an unknown song, it's sweet. For a moment we listened and embraced the cool wind. Parker broke the silence he held his cup and had his last sip, smirking at me with really informal way which is usual

       “Ohh Richard....you should have said that..you want to spend some time with your lovely wife! Isn't it .?I mean you should ofcourse..you are always too busy for her..yes yes” he slapped my shoulder as he keep uttering “you have worked hard for your entire life..now take care of your family too..” i nodded silently as I began after “But mr. Parker...! Why didn't you marry?” Parker laughed loudly again “Oh darling you are not going to tell me to marry AT THIS AGE..!Right Richard?HAHAHA” “No No mr.Parker ” i laughed either “ I'm just asking...?, i mean” i took a poses “i won't believe young Parker had no woman around him!” “ofcourse I had..” he lowered his voice “some nightstands too” and then again talked in normal volume “Actually Richard...You know..i never found a woman like i always desire...so juts..tsk.. didn't marry..you know how picky stubborn I mean ..ha..?” and we laughed again “Yes yes I know...but what type of woman you like that is soo rear in the whole country?” he thought for a little and then stated “You know actually that is rare in the whole world ” I made fun of it as I circusticly said “what...? she needs to have wings herself?” parker interrupted “Oh no no... richard...i respect all woman..but you have agreed that most of the woman they are gorgeous caring, Sweet.. Including your wife..who can cook well.. Clean..and very soft by heart..who like to devote their whole life for their husband and family...but you know richard.. I didn't want a woman like that...” i interpreted “Oh parker do you want a woman like mrs. Watson... because she is not at all sweet, not caring and yah she tried to kill her husband by poising tea..” “oh no no..i personally like a woman who is into education..who has the dedication to change the world...who has a strong hearted..and can fight back to any situation..you know..what I mean..”

       i nodded and looked at my wife who was preparing lunch inside the kitchen.. though I was able to see her back only but I could hear the utensils being snapped by each other sometimes while she was working..i noticed how adulating affecting this sweet woman..now slowly the back of her hair getting gray..they were way fewer than Mr..but suddenly i could see them..she is never disturbed.. I sighed and smiled parker “But Mr. Parker.. I love how my Emma is..she doesn't need to fight... I'm here to protect her for the rest of my life..”

    Parker smiled gently as he stood up and gave his hand for a handshake..i received it... “now I need to leave..” he looked at his wrist watche and wished “Good bye gentle man..see you soon..good bye Emma!” Emma replied from the kitchen “Byee Mr.Parker.. do come again ” and he went out with his heavier body..he gained a lot of weight these days no double..! But he is very unconscious about his health..if I try to say “You should take care of your health now..old parker..!” he would have laughed at me “Then ask Emma not to cook so well..that I can't stop eating ” it's not like he eats here everyday but whenever he gets time he would come here to have lunch or dinner with us.. .

   Emma and Parker has really nice relationship with each other..Parkers daily visit is just for Emma's testy meal and gossiping with me.. Life is beautiful when we accept the simplicity. Maybe life is beautiful because of a wife like her..

       In the evening I was randomly visiting my home library.. it's all dusted..“Emma..can you bring me a brush.. I think I need to clean it a bit..”i shouted so she can hear me from the bedroom, she was probably setting new flowers in pot..but yet she replied as she heard me “ Alright!” i waited for few minutes before she came up with a brush and a rag of cloth.she walked across me and gently pushed me away “You go take some rest.. I'm will clean it” . I hate that..why she never let me do anything but always do things by herself..she isn't a slave...i immediately snatched the brush from her hand and start picking up a random book and brush the dust off.. she stood still frowning her eyebrows .

“what was it?”she said placing her palm on her waist.“what? I am juts trying to help you..miss Hughes” i replied as she snapped back acting as if she is mad at me “no give it to me back..” i stopped the job and raising my hands in the midair I said “oky fine fine.. let's just do it together... happy?” she kept staring at me for seconds and then start moving..

We tried our best to complete as soon as possible but with our Speed it has almost being darker outside. In the corner there are abandoned books, they are ruined so it's better to throw them, I'll get some space for my new essential books.

“Alright , it's done..now we can prepare the dinner..”she said starting at the whole room to see if anything left. I was busy packing the waste..at this very moment she broke the silence “Oh.. rich! I think we forgot one ..”and picked a very dirty book from the edge of the last shelf..it was hidden behind the stack of books.she blew the dust off from the book and brushed it so at least the name can be seen..a thick layer of dry dust cover it entirely..like for years it was untouched and unseen.. “Ohu... I have never seen this book..? It looks too old..are we going to throw it..” she held the book on the air to show me..but due to the heavy dirt the name was unclear..

“oh..rich..! It's written by you?” she said making me shake off from the position.. because I don't remember an old book I wrote as this .. only one ...which i showed to no one..then she spelled the name “Well..wait I can read it...it said...A-M-ELIA?,by Richard Foster!” she looked at me with full of proud on her face as she uttered my name. I stood up and came close to examine the book in her hands.. It's really that one...i forgot about it..my book...that one book... about Her.

^^^TO BE CONTINUED ^^^

   I knew something could come up like that one day... I'm rather surprised that it happened so delayed.

   I immediately snatched the book from her hand... I'm sure my voice was shivering. “Let me see .. Emma.. ohh . Thi-this book? It haa been an aged since I wrote..that”.Emma with an curious eye follow my motion of hand...she was giggling as she spoke “Well...great... let's not throw it out right now..I want to read it..”. I sighed out.. I knew she would say that. But I have no proper excuse to say no. She was always been the one who i show my works first, but I'm sacred this little secret will change my life...

  The next Day.. Almost evening when Henry , my only son, returned...for not holiday of course..for an urgent telephone he got and immediately returned home. He looked extremely exhausted as he shut the door up behind him and met our eyes...me and Emma was sitting across each other in the dining Henry quickly sat on his knees front of his mother...held her hands and gently asked “What's wrong..mom..!”He paused for a second and then began “Dad called me last night..i couldn't come at the very moment..so I–” “Ask your dad...what he did..” she snapped back..weeping her eyes..she is soft and sensitive, i have seen her crying for many reasons but never seen her crying because of me...”. Henry kissed her hand..shifted his glance at mine...“What is it dad?” he looks helpless..In his twenty years of life, he has never seen his parents arguing. I tried to utter words for me as she stood up straight taking both of our attention at her ...“HENRY!” she continued “ I want a divorce!” this literally shook both of us..she quickly went inside our bedroom and slammed the door at our face...we exchanged looks and i finally decided to speck..

    .“Henry...that was...that was a book I wrote..” i stumbled. “A..book?, what is it about dad?why she is so..hurt about it?” “Come with me...” i moved toward our library, and he followed my lead..

  The door or of the room opened making a crack...i switched the light on and lead him in front of a desk where the book was placed..the little dim light was enough for the desk..Henry observed the book and finally held it in his hand... My Henry got most of the gene as his mother ..that brown hair...as pale as his mother..but slowly he is getting my face cut..and the eyeballs are mine...dark gray..they look lighter in the thick light on his face..He turns 21 this year.. Studying in Manchester.

    He clearly read the name and turned few pages...read the description..

     “What is it about dad..? I have.. Never seen this or heard about you are having such a book?”

I could get to explain at this moment Emma pushed the door open and came inside. I noticed her eyes are puffed out..since she has been crying for so long...but she is not at all trying to listen to me...i didn't know she could be that stubborn..i hate this..for the first time I feel disgusted by this behavior of her..but still didn't say anything because maybe i should

Have told her about this sooner... it's too late. She starts crying again..“your dad ...Rich..has someone else...he has been- ” she gulped “cheating on me ...” i immediately protested “Emma...YOU ARE MISS TAKING IT..” “oh Yahh..? SO WHO IS THAT AMELIA..? You literally wrote a whole book on her?”“Darling...that is..when I was younger.. Before meeting you my Honey..!” i tired my best to defend my, but but I feel like this sweet little but stubborn lady won't buy a thing..i looked at Henry helplessly. I can understand his situation..“Mom...so what if he had written something about his ex ...I mean he is saying it was written before he met you..so its re-” “No Henry..! Tell me why he has been hiding this from me .., he told me about everything..why he kept it as a secret? What happened that he not even told ME!” “i should have told you i know but ... it's a past i could never forget...I mean it's horrible i can't tell it to anyone...so I kept it as a secret..” “Secret for Me ..either..Rich?” she said placing her one palm on her chest ,gently tapping. For a glance i understood how my little boy is watching me with all suspection in his eyes.. I hate this glance...i hate It I HATE IT SO MUCH! Please don't give me this look.. Please don't..i did nothing... It was not my fault..I loved her only...no I did nothing.. It was an accident.. BELIEVE ME..!

I took a deep breath as I sat on a chair..that made a small cracked noise. I can feel i am being watched by two other human in the room..i thought i buried the past forever from everyone..but how can I forget about this...? However, i start narrating...

“So...i wrote this book.. About a woman i once loved... sigh! But ..i didn't publish it..I made one and only copy for myself...to keep it with me..the younger self thought of keeping it as a memory..not even know..that it would bring me back to a past i never want to be again..” “What past ..? ” Henry asked gently without being impatient. “Something awful happened to me ...I wrote that before that incident.. Something horrible that happened which made me ...” i hesitated first then uttered the sentence “that made me escape India”. Emma sat down in surprised.. She stabled “Es-cape?” “Yes Emma...! I kept a secret from everyone..that now I'm going to tell you...juts please promise..you two will believe me..and not going to tell anyone” i looked both of them one by one..as Henry nodded his head , showcasing his loyalty toward me..

And thus the story began..

^^^TO BE CONTINUED ^^^