chapter 2: Another dissapointment

Friday. 3 PM. Simran and Nandini were just coming back from school. They were both feeling bored and were thinking about what they should do. Right at this moment, Kyoya entered the room, holding a phone close to his ear, talking to an employee, while barely noticing that his daughters have just arrived. The twins looked at each other. Simran pointed her finger to Kyoya, like she was saying "Should we try?", but Nandini gave a her a look that was saying "Seriously?". Despite her skepticism, the girl agreed to try. They asked their father if he could spend some time with them:

-"Father?"-Simran was the one who spoke, while Nandini did not even bother.

Her words actually had an effect on Kyoya, since he interrupted his phone conversation temporarily and paid attention to what his daughters were about to say:

-"What is it, girls?"-he asked politely.

-"We were wondering if you could accompany us to the garden?"

-"Sorry, girls! But I have a very important meeting today. I do not have much free time now."-despite that Kyoya was completely sincere while saying that, the girls frowned, because that was not the first time when he rejected an offer of theirs.

They gave a small insignificant "Okay." and left the room without saying anything else. They went to the garden, still angry about what just happened. They sat on the grass and Nandini started to gloat:

-"See! What did I tell you? This thing happens every single time."

-"I thought that maybe we could succeed one day."

-"Succeed in what? Fixing something that is unfixable?! Just admit it, sister! We are on the last place in this whole competition of importance. Everything he cares about is money."

-"Well, I do not remember the last time we spent quality time together. I myself am not sure why do we keep trying. Maybe you are right."-throughout their whole conversation Simran looked kind of depressed. Nandini felt sorry for her and tried to comfort her sister.

-"Hey! It is not that bad"-Nandini put her hand on Simran's shoulder and gave her a tender smile-"At least, we have each other."-her words made Simran raise her head a little and she even smiled a bit, happy that the two sisters were together, especially at moments when one of them was feeling insignificant.-"Do you want to play "Trivia empire" ?"-Nandini offered a game to play.

-"Sounds great."-Simran agreed and smiled wider.

The game started. The two twins were at different parts of the garden and were pretending that they were the empresses of their respective empires. They must ask each other questions and whoever answers the most questions, she has the right to "take over" the other's "empire". Simran was the first who asked a question:

-"Okay! Which is the oldest country in Europe?"

-"Bulgaria!"-it did not take Nandini too long to answer.

-"Correct!"

-"Okay! My turn now! What was Cleopatra VII's true nationality?"

-"Greek!"

-"Wow, you are fast!"-Nandini complimented Simran, but not very sincerely, since she expected her to answer.

-"My turn! Which is the most popular Japanese comic book?"

-"You are kidding me, right? A one that easy?"

-"Yes, why not? I am sure that you can answer, but I am not sure if you think that you can do it."-Simran mocked her sister a bit.

-"Of course, I know. One piece."-Nandini raised her voice a bit.

-"Wow, you did it."-Simran said this in a very deadpan tone which provoked Nandini to become more enthusiastic.

-"Ooh! So you want to fight, huh?"

-"Why? You think you can beat me?"

-"You bet?"

-"Okay!"-both girls prepared themselves. Nandini was next.

-"Tell me in which country fishermen use specially trained cormorants for fishing?"

-"China. Who was the only actress who became a princess after marrying a prince?"

-"Grace Kelly. What mythical creature was the Pale man from "Pan's labyrinth" inspired by?"

-"Tenome. Speaking of labyrinths. From which word does the word "labyrinth" come from?"

-"Labrys."

Simran and Nandini kept doing this for a long time. It pretty much made them forget about what happened today and how disappointed they were that their father never had any time for them.

Meanwhile, Kyoya went to the meeting he mentioned earlier and came back many hours later. When he got home, it was already night time. He went to check on the girls, to talk to them or, at least, to apologize about earlier. Unfortunately, when he entered their room, he saw that they were already asleep. He sighed and got closer to them, in order to give each of them a small kiss on the cheek. "Days are not long enough" he thought.

He went to his own bedroom, sat on his bed and started to work on his laptop. While he was busy, his phone rang. That was not predicted. Kyoya was not expecting for anyone to call him tonight:

-"Hello!"-he answered and the voice he heard caught him off-guard.

To be continued...