Episode 9

Mr. Carter sits in front of me. Kabir sits in a corner with his hurt back and Teena continues to work with paints and palettes.

"Yes Miss Candace. You wanted to meet me?"

"Yes sir"

"Please say"

"Actually I wanted to return the cellphone. I can't take it. It's... ",( I was about to say "it's too expensive to be accepted as a favour")

"This phone", he interrupts pointing at my cellphone on the table.

"Yes sir"

"No problem", he says taking the phone in his hand.

"Okay" , I say in surprise. I was expecting some friction but nothing happened. I thought he would insist on keeping the phone.
One by one I stare at the phone, his hand and his eyes. I continue to stare at the phone as he drops the phone in the dustbin. The empty blue metallic dustbin makes a good audible noise as the phone hits its bottom.
The noise is followed by silence.
Teena and Kabir turn their heads to us.
My jaw drops just like that phone.

"Anything else Miss Candace? "

I shake my head like a dog after bath. He gets up and go.
As soon as he leaves, Teena comes to me.

"What happened? "

"He threw the phone in the bin....