The next morning found Kelly excited. She was going to school. She wondered how her new school will be. She knew that Jim will be in her class but she needed someone to sit with and talk casually.
Soon, all four of them, Madam, Braulia, Jim and Kelly set off. Kelly was dressed in her best frock to get a good impression. Jim and Braulia went to their respective classes. Madam met Mr. Bill and talked to him about Kelly and why she had to join this school. Mr. Bill was a tall man with handsome green eyes. He was a fun-loving man who wanted to earn the honor and love of all his students.
Mr. Bill accepted Kelly and warmly welcomed her into the class. He asked her to sit with Sarah Almond. Sarah was a short, twelve year old girl with a cheerful face. She made way for her and made her feel comfortable. Kelly looked around. There were many smiling faces and finally she spotted Jim who was sitting on the last row. Jim smiled and she felt happier.
Mr. Bill’s class was enjoyable but not particularly interactive. He gave long lectures and did not allow anyone to talk in class. He said that he must not be interrupted even for doubts and he never got the opinions of the students.
Kelly felt bored but she had made up her mind that she would be at her best that day. So she tried hard not to fall asleep. The lesson was on Geography. Once when Mr. Bill questioned Kelly, she stood up and answered brilliantly much to the astonishment of her fellow students. It was break now and Kelly and her new friend Sarah went outside. Sarah asked more about her and she explained. When they were talking, Kelly saw Braulia rushing up to her. Braulia asked her how it all went. Braulia looked up at Kelly and was glad to see Sarah with her. Braulia told her to wait for her after the school bell so that they could walk home together. They waved to each other and then there was math class. Kelly found math class very interesting. Kelly talked a lot with Sarah and Sarah also liked Kelly very much.
Finally the bell rang and Braulia came to meet Kelly. Kelly said “I like it a lot here. But I am like a stranger here. Hope I get used to it soon. I know I will. It’ll just take some time.” No sooner she had finished talking than Jim appeared in front of the two happy girls. The three walked back home discussing about school.
They soon reached the rose-red house. Braulia stepped in front but stood amazed. Madam wasn’t there in the armchair she usually sits. She saw no one in the living room. She felt a chill rise inside her and rushed into Madam’s bedroom. She was so puzzled. Madam was lying on her high bed. There was the doctor by her side. Soon, Kelly and Jim crouched behind Braulia. The doctor went away with a sad face. The three children left the room and went to the kitchen to see Hulda. Hulda explained to the three yearning faces “Madam fell faint today. We called the doctor and he says that Madam should be in complete bed rest for one month and that she has a severe case of Anemia. He said that the disease was unexpected for a healthy woman like Madam. He also says that if Madam gets out of her bed, she will be in real trouble.”
Braulia was so sad that such an unexpected situation has befallen them. Madam and Braulia loved each other but neither of them expressed their love. Braulia was awestricken. Hulda came for her comfort. Hulda calmed her down by saying that it’ll be alright and that God would take care of everything. Braulia believed that. But Kelly didn’t. She thought that there was no mercy with God or any compassion. She had kind of grown into affection with the good old lady and now felt sorry for her. They all had to leave the room as was advised by the doctor.
Braulia lied on the couch and began crying. Her tears fell like rain on the comfortable cushion. Kelly came and sat down next to her. Both of them lied on the other’s shoulder and cried. Braulia asked Kelly, “What if something dreadful happens to Madam? I can’t afford to loose her.” Kelly who was a bit experienced in losing loved ones replied comfortingly “don’t talk like that Braulia. Madam will be alright soon. We mustn’t loose hope.” Hulda who was listening broke in “say that you mustn’t loose faith. God is there Braulia; He will not let such a thing happen. Just pray daily. Now cheer up and let’s eat”
They all ate just as Hulda suggested but there was one face missing in the dining table. They were all sad but knew that nothing could be done by worrying. After the meal, they all felt better. Each person went to their own rooms. Madam was sleeping so no one went inside to wish her ‘good night’. Braulia didn’t wish Kelly also as she thought that this night possibly couldn’t be good. Braulia couldn’t sleep that night and neither could Kelly. Braulia was wide awake thinking about Madam and Kelly was thinking about Braulia. She guessed that Braulia hadn’t slept and so she finally decided to go to Braulia’s room. The rose-red house was very big. There were two bedrooms and one spare room in the ground level. Of course, the common room, the maids’ room and the kitchen add up. One bedroom was Madam’s and the other was not used. It is the ‘castle’ as the girls call it. The first level had four rooms. One was Braulia’s, one was Jim’s, one was Kelly’s and the other was that old grandfather’s which is always locked.
Kelly went to Braulia’s room and found that she had guessed right. Braulia fell on Kelly’s shoulders and cried her heart out. “I couldn’t sleep Kelly, I just couldn’t!” She wept but Kelly tried her best to comfort her. Though Braulia calls her mom as “madam” she still loved her with all her heart. She didn’t seem to mind about what she called her as. “I’m sorry for troubling you Kelly. I know God is there with me and He will help Madam get on her feet again” she said wiping away her tears. Braulia thanked Kelly for coming. So, Kelly went back to her room again.
According to Braulia, that night was the worst night of her entire life. She actually hadn’t slept after Kelly left either. She felt tired but her heart didn’t let her sleep. She was too soft a girl to be taken aback. The next morning she was sick of crying.
Hulda, Kelly and Jim were a little better. Braulia was also better but there was no sign of that. Madam opened her eyes once. Hulda attended her. She had an attraction to her. The doctor came and said that Madam was little better.
All the three children went to school to help them forget about Madam. That helped indeed. Kelly wasn’t that much disturbed as she was yet to know about Madam but the other two were not that happy anyway. School was over soon and the three walked back home. No one talked on the way home. The first thing Braulia did after entering the Rose-red house was to see Madam. She crept inside as no one was allowed to make much noise. Madam had a smile on her face. Braulia was comforted but that smile and she took Madam’s hands in hers and prayed to God. Kelly and Jim were watching all this from the room’s door. Braulia came out and joined the others.
As it was customary they all (excluding Madam) gathered at the table. They had some kind of pastry and drank tea. Braulia asked Hulda about Madam. Hulda said “I’ve given her milk and bread and some fresh fruits. The doctor advised about the fruits. He said that she should be given proper nutrition. She seems happy now. She has confidence in God that He will heal her.” Braulia thanked Hulda and went to her own room. She came to the common room with her books to do her home lessons. Jim and Kelly also came to the common room with their respective home lessons. Braulia looked a lot better now. Kelly was touched. Braulia seemed to have changed all of a sudden after praying to God. She thought “Maybe there is a God. She looks like she has cast all her burdens upon this God!”
So, the night arrived quickly and everyone looked like they learnt to accept the unexpected situation.
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