Chapter 2- Walking Fast, Faces pass and I'm Home Bound

PLACE-LOCAL BAR

TIME-8PM

"Turns out you were right, Ed," blinked Chang.

"I'm always right," agreed Ed, as they sipped their drinks leisurely.

"The incredible director didn't even bother to grace the gathering with his presence, Chang. Of course, there was this committee, Chang. However, it is essential for a Director to be present, at the time of interview. Fuck. I could preach him rules, man. He would be in deep trouble if I wrote about it."

"You'd do nothing of that kind. Those are rich people. You'd be at great loss if you went against them. The best thing as of the moment is to get yourself too drunk to even remember this conversation and…"

Chang's long supportive speech was cut short by Ed's ringtone.

"Yup, Johnny dear, speak."

"Ed, you've got to go home," the other voice said.

"Why, wha-what's the matter? Has Dad highlighted his hair electric blue, as he had been claiming?"

"Always jokes with you, Ed, never serious. Listen. Mom's been a total mute for the past week, Dad's hysteric about making me marry and the twins are worse. Of course, our dear Max believes now is the right time to achieve Nirvana."

"Why, what's up with him?" asked Ed.

"He wants to go to Asia and be a Buddhist at some monastery. He's already packed," the voice panted, "Look Ed, I cannot handle all of them alone. I need you. Couldn't you do this for your favorite brother?"

"I guess I'm in then," agreed Ed.

Clicked. Shut.

"What 's the matter?" asked Chang.

"It's time for some home sweet home. Ha ha ha."

On seeing the Bennet household in the Meryton Street, one gets the feeling that however sedate, the old Victorian house might look, inside there must be something wrong.

"Whoa, Ed. Long time," the twins on seeing Ed, moaned together.

"Nate, Kar, where's Mom?"

"Upstairs, in the library."

Ed ran to his mother, Francesca Bennet, the lone sane member of the family next to his dear John, of course.

"Mom!" yelled Ed.

"Eddie," Francesca rushed, "Thank God you're home. This house is a complete mess now. Your Dad's got worse. Max is about to leave. The twins bring in new girlfriends everyday and I'm here, stuck in my library all day."

"Slow down, Mom. I can understand. We'll manage everything now that I'm home."

"Let's clean dinner first. Your Dad will be back from saloon soon. C'mon."

They began walking out of the library when Francesca Bennet started again.

"John's internship starts nest months. He'll be with you in, say, another 10-15 days."

"I'm sorry Mom to leave you like that but we can't help it."

"Hey, John told me you didn't get that job in the school," said Francesca changing the subject.

"Yeah, I didn't," Ed said lowly.

"Don't worry," patted his mother, "Any school that doesn't select you doesn't deserve you."

"Thanks Mom. I've applied in others as well. I'm already selected for a local school. I guess, I'll join," said Ed taking the mop from the kitchen.

It was a rainy day. Clouds darkened the sky when John moved to Penn with Ed and Chang. The third bedroom was finally occupied.

"Party time, guys," Chang yelled, as he helped the Bennet brothers place the boxes in the room, which John would occupy.

"Yes, party time, Chang, tonight at 9," Ed shouted.

"I'm anti-party guys. You know I am," disagreed John.

Chang laughed, "So today's aim will be to turn this monk into a human."

"Yeah, you're right," agreed Ed.