Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Calista woke up as usual at dawn. She sat up after looking at her window. She started looking for her cell phone to see the time. She looked and saw that the cell phone was lying near the pillow. Calista took the cell phone in her hand and saw that the phone was switched off. She turned on the phone and saw that the charge was over.

Calista furrowed her brow and thought, "I had charged it full last night. After that I did not pick up the phone. So how did the charge end so quickly?"

Calista was confused.

She again murmured, "Maybe it's because it's an old phone. That's why it's dead."

Calista plugged the phone in charge without thinking much and went to the washroom. She came fresh and prayed. Then she started doing housework. Calista went outside the gate to throw away the garbage after finishing all the household chores. Suddenly she saw a woman standing in the middle of the road while returning from the gate. The woman was looking around in fear.

Calista murmured to herself, "Maybe she wants to cross the road but can't."

Calista didn't know why but she was very fond of this woman. She went forward to help the woman.

She went to the woman and said, "What happened? Is there any problem?"

The woman said in a cool tone, "Actually I am new here. I can't cross the road. I am very afraid."

Calista smiled and said politely, "Don't be afraid, take my hand. I'll get you through."

The woman smiled at Calista and nodded her head and held Calista's hand. Calista took the woman's hand and made her cross the road.

Crossing the street the woman said with a grateful smile, "Thank you very much. Maybe I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

Calista said with a polite smile, "It's ok. People will work for people. That's normal. Where do you live? I think I've never seen you here before?"

The woman responded, "Yes, you are right. I am new here."

The woman raised her hand and pointed with her finger to a direction and uttered, " You see that house? I just came and shifted there. My son and I live here."

Calista exclaimed, "Oh, really! I live next door to you."

The woman said happily, "Really! Then it is very good. You know, my son goes to work this morning and he will come back at night. I have to spend time alone at home all day. I don't know anyone here. Now that I know you then sometimes I will come and spend time with you. I like you a lot."

The woman paused a bit and asked, "I can come to you if you don't mind, right?"

Calista nodded her head and said, "No, no! Why would I mind! I would like more if you come. You can come whenever you want."

The woman uttered happily, "Okay then let's go now. Let's get to know your house."

Calista nodded her head and said, "Ok let's go."

Then Calista went inside the house with the woman.

Entering the house, Calista showed the woman the couch and said, "Auntie, you sit down here. I am bringing tea for you."

Hearing Calista, the woman said, "Thank you dear but I don't drink that much tea. I cooked and ate pancakes in the morning with coffee. So I won't eat anything now."

"Well okay. You sit down. I have to cook a little. Let me finish it first then I'll accompany you."

The woman uttered with gratitude, "Let me help you too."

Calista said unprepared, "No no auntie, why will you work? You sit here. I will finish my work quickly."

The woman smiled a bit and said, "Look dear, I am a villager so I don't like sitting. It feels good to do a little work."

Calista pouted and said, "I don't feel good if I make you work though."

"See, I'm your mother's age. You can say, same as your mother. Won't you keep your mother's word?"

Calista's eyes sparkled hearing her. No one had spoken to her so lovingly till today. Calista nodded and agreed without saying anything else.

After a while, Calista finished all the work with the woman's help. Calista's work was done much faster and easier today. After finishing work Calista went to her room to get ready.

After getting ready, Calista said to the woman, "Auntie, I will go to university now."

Hearing Calista, the woman said, "Yes, it's already the time of your university. You should go. And I have nothing to do here without you. So I will also go out with you."

Calista nodded her head. Then the two went out. After coming out, Calista left the woman towards her house and went on her way.

As soon as the woman came a short distance from Calista, her cell phone rang. The woman looked around to see if there was anyone.

Then she answered the phone and said, "Sir, I did everything you said. Calista won't doubt you. Everything went smoothly."

"Hm good. From now on whenever Calista stays at her house try to be with her as much as you can. Take care of her good and bad. Let me know if there is any problem, ok?"

The woman answered, "Yes sir, I will do as you say. You don't have to worry."

The man on the cell phone said, "Hm, thank you."

The woman smiled a bit and uttered, "Hey, why are you saying thank you? I am lucky to be able to do anything for you. Without you we would all starve to death. You arranged everything for my daughter's study, and gave my son a job. Whatever I do for you will be less."

"Okay, you don't have to mention those everytime. I'm hanging up the phone now."

Saying that, Rhino hung up the cell phone and placed it in his pocket. He looked at Calista coming from the road with fascinated eyes.

Yes, Rhino sent that woman to help Calista so that he can inquire about Calista while she is at home.

Calista looked ahead while walking and saw that Rhino was sitting inside the car.

Calista thought seeing Rhino, "He really came to pick me up!"

Calista felt very good thinking about it. Calista smiled and stood in front of Rhino's car.

Rhino looked at Calista and said, "What happened? Why are you standing there? Come and sit in the car."

Calista nodded her head. Calista sat up as soon as Rhino opened the door. Seeing Calista's normal state, Rhino was sure that she did not remember anything about last night's phone call. So Rhino did not say anything else. Then he started the car. Calista was feeling ashamed. She looked out the window.

Calista was thinking, "Why is he doing so much for me? So what Ezlyn said is true? Does he really like me?"

Calista started looking at Rhino. Rhino was driving looking straight ahead. Calista looked out the window again. There was fast pounding in her chest. A little later they reached the university.

Rhino said to Calista, "You go down. I will come after parking the car."

Calista nodded her head and said, "Okay." Then she got out of the car.

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Calista was coming towards the Banyan tree after finishing her class. From behind she saw Rhino was sitting on the bench. Calista looked down and smiled a little shyly. Then she approached Rhino. Calista came to Rhino and stood with her head down.

Rhino said looking at Calista, "Come, sit here. Why are you standing?"

Calista looked down and nodded her head. Then she sat next to Rhino.

Rhino said as Calista sat down, "Close your eyes."

Hearing Rhino's words, Calista looked at Rhino with wide eyes in surprise and said, "What?"

Rhino said more like an order, "I told you to close your eyes. I didn't ask you to make them bigger. Close your eyes. There is a surprise for you."

Calista was shocked to hear him.

She exclaimed, "Surprise?"