Chapter 7 - Hill family (3) (1/2)

In the living room Sarah observed JoAnna, Sophia and Edward happily chatting, as soon as Sarah entered, they noticed her.

Edward headed to Sarah and gave her a warm hug, ”Hi baby girl, nice to have you home. How long do you plan to stay?”

”I will go back on Sunday. Classes start on Monday.” Sarah responded while returning the hug.

”I found out that in this semester you are #1 student in grade rankings, again.” Edward proudly said to Sarah. ”I'm happy that you are doing well at this University. Just make sure you stay focused on studies as your priority. It's easy to get distracted, especially when you are young. You know our philosophy related to order of things: first is school, then job, and then commit to a partner. Do you hear me? If you follow this, you will not hear any nagging from me or your mother. Being in a relationship before you finish school and can provide for yourself can only cause troubles.” Edward said in a serious voice.

Sophia understands that this topic can easily take over their evening. 'Edward has good intentions, but when he starts preaching how important is to be independent first so that we don't suffer in a relationship, if we don't stop him soon, he will keep going with this. Eventually he ends up talking how prearranged marriages by parents are not a bad idea.' Sophia saw an urgency to change the topic, ”I see we are all here, maybe we should try video chat with mom?”

”Oh, that would be nice”, JoAnna quickly added, sensing Sophia's intention.

Edward got his phone and called his wife to establish a video chat. After few attempts, connection was established, but no video was available, just voice.

”Video is not possible due to poor connection here. Hmmm, seems you are calling during dinner time. Did anything happen?”, melodious voice with an eastern European accent of a woman came from a phone speaker.

”Stella, dear... Yes, we are just getting ready to have dinner”, Edward said. ”All four of us are home, and we miss you, so we hoped to see you. How is India treating you?”.

”I see... I plan to be back home in about 10 days. I will definitely be back in time for Christmas.” Stella oversees research and development in ”Orion Enterprise”, her style of work is to travel, get to know people and immerse herself in different experiences, with a goal to understand current needs of market.

”Girls, make plans for Christmas at home, and if any boyfriend exists, invite him”, Stella said while teasing her daughters because she knows that all of them are single.

JoAnna answered with a mix of laugh and whining, ”Mom, every year same story. Can you not talk about boyfriends? You know that no one is good enough from dad's point of view.”

”What is wrong with wanting perfection for my three angels?”, Edward sounded offended.

Stella's voice was cheerful from the speaker, ”You can just ignore him. If you think he is good for you and he treats you well, I will support you. I hope not to be an old grandmother.”

The call ended after all three girls promised to be home for Christmas.

The sisters and their father headed to dining room to have dinner. The atmosphere was very harmonious, they chatted and laughed while enjoying their food. This was a normal thing in Hill family, maybe because sisters didn't have much close interactions with outsiders, when it was just them, they would drop all caution and just enjoy each other's company. None of them would miss an opportunity for teasing, but they all stayed within boundaries, and knew that they are to each other pillars of support that will never waver.

”Sarah, how is your schedule? I hope you are making sure you get enough rest and eat a balanced diet”, Edward said.

”My schedule is manageable. For food, I'm trying... but it's not easy to have a proper diet while studying, you know that, right?”, Sarah said timidly while waiting to be scolded.

JoAnna said with worry in her voice, ”You need to have rest and proper food as a priority. How about you come to my hospital, and I give you a checkup?”

”No need, no need. I'm taking care of myself, don't worry”, Sarah quickly responded, and silently promised to herself to stick to a good schedule and healthy diet.

”Did you make any new friends in school?”, Edward asked.

”Not really”, Sarah mumbled.

Edward raised an eyebrow while looking at her, ”You are young, smart, kind. Don't seclude yourself. Anyone would be happy to be your friend”

”I'm OK with my life. I have Vivian to keep me company when needed.”, Sarah responded, getting a bit frustrated.

”Hmph... That is only one friend. You should have more.”, Edward advised.

Somehow Sarah thought about Aiden, and responded, ”Well I'm not the only one. Just few days ago I met a guy and he also does not have many friends”.

”Met a guy?”, JoAnna looked at Sarah with a mischievous smile. At JoAnna's question, Sophia and Edward also looked at Sarah waiting to hear how she will respond, observing any changes in her expression.

Sarah felt like she was in danger of falling into a trap. She felt urgency to end this topic, ”Oh, don't start with me. It's nothing, really. He is just a student at the University, and it seems he does not have friends.” As she said this, Sarah felt that her cheeks are warming up. 'Am I blushing?'

”But it seems you are friends with him?”, Sophia asked, her wide smile showing two rows of perfect white teeth. She didn't want to miss this chance to tease her youngest sister.

”I'm not sure if you can call us friends. We just talked once… or twice. Can we let go of this topic, you are making me feel uncomfortable”, Sarah said with a frown. Just as she said that there was a sound from her phone: ping, ping, ping... indicating that she received messages. Feeling that she should use this as a good chance to avoid this topic, she pulled her phone out of her pocket to check out the messages. They were messages from Aiden, about updates to the document.