Lydia- The Pet Communicator

Chapter 30

“Good morning princess! Happy birthday and examday!” Drake beamed and my father blew an ear-splitting trumpet, standing next to him. I pulled a pillow over my ear in irritation, and then they started singing cheerfully, “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Lydia… I went to the zoo, I saw a monkey. I thought it was you. Happy birthday to you!”  I grasped a pillow and threw it at them.

“Wasn’t there a better way to wish me? I am going to have a headache now.” I garbled, while changing my sleeping posture.

“Get up! You have exams today!” Drake exclaimed and pulled me out of the bed. My father was only chuckling at us. I sat on the bed, and glared at both of them in anger. Sometimes they could be a pain in the as*. Subsequently, my father and Drake started having a private conversation. I couldn’t hear a word they were murmuring. Both gave each other a high five, and left my room wordlessly. I knew they were talking about me, or planning something concerning me.

However, I quickly brushed my teeth, took a warm shower and wore the new dress which my father bought for me the previous week. It was a vibrant yellow sleeveless summer frock, printed with small multicolored flowers on it. I put on some fancy jewelry too.

I was feeling very anxious because of the exams. So before leaving my room, I closed my eyes and prayed silently, “Oh Lord, you are the best in making decisions. I have no one except you to depend on. I have no complains even after what has been through me in recent times, because I know you have always kept better things in store for me. Today, I have my exams. Please help me. I need to make my father and Drake proud of me. Both have worked hard on me. Please Lord. Amen.” I hurried downstairs, acting overconfident. I raised my head and swayed my hips as I approached my father and Drake.

I also rolled my eyes at Drake and my father who were gawking at me, while I was taking a seat at the dining table. I spoke in annoyance “Give me my breakfast. I hate the way you both are acting today. It looks like you both are having an exam.”

“No, it’s your exam. We need to hurry. Here comes your breakfast.” Drake teased, while nudging an arm to my father. My father and Drake got up together to bring what they have prepared, must be some burnt stuff. I kept tapping my fingers on the table, and acting like a big-headed. I was upset too. I wanted them to wish me in a better way, but they wouldn’t stop reminding me about my exams.

When I heard footsteps coming in my direction, I looked up immediately, and I was amazed to see a big chocolate cake in the hands of my father. Drake was grinning like a fool next to him. “Here is your breakfast. Cut it, especially where your name has been written.” My father spoke usually, showing no expressions.

I glanced at the cake more carefully, it was a heart shaped black forest cake and it looked scrumptious. While I began cutting it, something hard came in between the knife and cake. I inserted the knife deeply, and realized there was something metal-like inside the cake. I dug my hand into the cake and brought out the mysterious metal from it. To my surprise, it was a car key. I started screaming and jumping out of joy. My father and Drake were watching my reactions with amusement.

 “You bought a car for me? When and how? Thank you so much both of you.” I spoke excitedly.

“It’s our pleasure, my question bag. I hope you like the car! Now have some of the cake, and go for the examinations in your new car, but Drake will be driving.” My father responded. I hugged my father tightly and kissed Drake on his cheek in appreciation.

My father and Drake wished me good luck for my examination and a happy birthday again, as I devoured my cake. The day started off marvelously, I wished the exams would go excellent too. Finally, I waved my father a goodbye and left the house. However, I couldn’t leave the house without the blessings of my pets, so I walked straight to the shelter. All the pets’ wished me good luck, but one dog was silent. “Bruno? What’s up? You won’t wish me good luck?” I asked, while ruffling his fur.

“No Lydia, I believe my good luck would be unlucky for you, since I was the first one  to wish you last year and I’m the only animal remaining from last year’s batch.” He woofed.

“No Bruno, don’t say that! Wish me quickly, or I won’t go. And then, I would be late because of you.”

“Good luck then,” Bruno barked slowly, while lowering his gaze to the ground.

I bid all the pets’ farewell, and walked to the garage to see my new car. It was a red Mazda MX 5. I was astounded by the look of it. “Wow Drake! This is beautiful and expensive,”  I mumbled, while caressing the car.

“This is from your father actually. I still have to buy you something baby.” Drake replied, while heaving out a sigh.

“No Drake, you already gave me a necklace. Nothing more okay?”

Drake shook his head in refusal, and asked me to keep silence until we reach school or else we would end up on an argument, which he didn’t want it to happen in any way. Drake drove me off to my school calmly, we didn’t talk to each other at all. On the other hand, my nervousness was giving me a nausea sort of feeling. My hands were all cold, though it was sunny outside. I felt sick.

When we reached the school, I looked at Drake tensely. My legs weren’t moving. “I can’t do it Drake, take me home.” I whispered deliberately.

“Lydia, I don’t want to come out of the car to drag you. What if someone sees us together? Your father won’t let me live peacefully. It’s better you start moving.”

I chuckled and got out of the car quickly, “Ok, bye. Love you baby.”

“Good luck.” Drake spoke, while showing me a thumb up.

 I got the chance of doing the examination in my own school. Saint Mary High School was authorized to give a room to all the students participating in this year’s board exams, including all the private students. So it was all good for me, since I was well-known with the complex.

I walked inside the school with a smile on my face, trying to hide my apprehension. I recognized a majority of the students and teachers of my school. Nothing had changed at all. After the principal saw me entering the complex, he came forward to greet me and showed me the direction of my examination room, “2-0-3.” I nodded with a grin, and hurried to the room.

I didn’t recognize most of the students in the room, but I was familiar with a few of them. I took a front row seat, near to the window. Shortly, some inspectors walked in to check on us, and two teachers from different schools came to ensure that we didn’t have any stuff for cheating.

“Okay, Ms. Alexandra Morris and Ms. Lisa Andrew will be your instructors here, and a senior police officer will be here outside to keep an eye on you. Your papers will be given in half an hour. Good Luck.” The principle drilled. Both of the teachers were really good looking, and kind.

I noticed Antonio standing outside. What is he doing here? Is he the senior police officer? Wow!

After half an hour of the inspection and taking attendance of the students, we got our Physics papers. I attempted most of the answers. I couldn’t answer only two to three questions easily. No doubt, the paper was uncomplicated and of two hours only.

Triinnggg- Triinnggg- The school bell rang.

Every student submitted their answer sheets, and we all were anxious for the next paper, Chemistry. We were given a break of twenty minutes. I had some water and gossiped with Antonio for some time. He informed me that Clara and Ricky called him to bail her father, but he didn’t give them any response.

After the break of twenty minutes, we all took our seats and without delay, we were given our Chemistry papers. I had not left any blanks on the paper this time, I found the it very simple, I was the first one to complete it.

Again, we got a break, but this time it was a long one. For forty five minutes. The next paper was of Biology, and Geography attached. This worried every student. I supposed the Geography paper was a short one, or maybe not time consuming.

At the break, I bought some sandwiches and juice from the cafeteria. Also, I met my junior friends. They all asked me about my accident and about the rumor going on in school, where I and their teacher Drake were having an affair. I was shocked but, I tried to convince them that it’s not true.

After the break, we all hurried back to our rooms and shortly, we were distributed with our last two papers. I was right! The Geography paper was too short. It took about twenty minutes, while the Biology paper took two and half hours. Both of the papers were really easy for me. It felt like Drake knew whatever was going to come in the papers and he taught me each and everything so perfectly. I completed both of the papers on time. I left writing as soon as the final bell rang. The teachers collected our papers and wished us good luck for the results.

I was so happy and excited to talk to my father and Drake. They will be so pleased to hear regarding my exams which went so outstanding. I jogged out of the examination room and switched on my phone eagerly to call my father first, and my father received my call straight away.

“Hello daddy! My exams went so well. I am so happy!”

“Lydia, come home soon.” I could hear the fear in my father’s voice as he was stammering.

“Dad, are you alright? Who will come to pick me? Where is Drake?”

“Please get a cab! Come home now. I can’t say it on the phone.”

“Dad, I know it’s my birthday. So you both are playing a prank with me. I am tired. Come to pick me up!”

“Damn! Why don’t you get it? Hurry home!”

“What is it daddy? Tell me or I won’t move from here. I will sleep here tonight.”

“I am sorry, Lydia, the… shelter… shelter…”

“What about the shelter?”

“It’s on fire! The firefighters are trying to turn it down and the pets are injured. Drake has taken them to another Veterinarian hospital- Animal Peace.” My father shrieked over the phone.

 My phone slipped out of my hand in dread and fell on the ground with a thud, it got broken into pieces. I picked up whatever came in hand and immediately started looking for a taxi, almost running down the roads.  My emotions started playing with me. I didn’t know what to do. Cry or laugh? I couldn’t even be happy for a day in my life, why did my destiny have to be so awful? Tears flooded down my cheek with hurt.

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Lydia's exams went all perfect, but what happened to the shelter? How did it get on fire? The pets are at -Animal Peace for their treatment. Found out what exactly happened at the shelter in the next chapter! Hope you had fun reading :) Thank you my lovely readers. Thumbs up!!