Half Girlfriend

‘So what do I do?’
‘You work that out. I have to take a class.’
My mother collected her notebooks and left.
Half an hour later, I stomped into her classroom. The students
looked up at me.
‘Don’t barge in when class is on.Wait outside,’ she said and shooed
me out.
She came out when the period ended.
‘I’m going for it,’ I said.
‘Good,’ my mother said. ‘But next time, knock.’
‘I want to join English classes. In Patna.’
‘Patna?’
‘There’s nothing good in Dumraon.’
‘That’s true. But how?’
‘I’ll commute. Weekdays here and Patna on the weekends. Is that
okay?’
‘Where will you stay in Patna?’
‘I’ll find some place.’
‘We have relatives. Your chachi stays there. She is one weird
woman, though.’
‘I'll find a guest house. Let me look for good classes there.’
‘Come here.’ My mother gave me a tight hug.
‘Just stay happy, all right?’ she said. ‘Do what you have to, but
don’t be a grumpy man like your father.’
‘Thank you, Ma,’ I said.
‘Welcome, English boy.’