Nikhil took one long look around his house and sighed heavily. Leaving it even for one day would be so strange... Leaving it to his seventeen-year-old son would be even more strange. Tough. Harder than any task he had ever had to perform... Except for the day he had to return for his child.

Sighing, he pushed back his dark hair and turned to face the very boy who smirked at him with obvious amusement. Nikhil blinked and narrowed his eyes at him. "What?"

Rory shook his head and smiled. "You just seem extremely nervous today, Dad? Why?" He shrugged. "It's my first day of school, not yours."

Nikhil smiled at his son and shook his head. "I'm not nervous. Just merely concerned, is all." He didn't want to worry his son that he'd have to travel again. "Do you want me to buy you anything before I go?"

"No Dad," Rory droned and sighed. "I said I'll be fine." I've stayed by myself many times... he didn't add this so his father would not be aggravated or worried. He didn't understand how long his father intended to be guilty for the rest of his life. It wasn't his fault that Mama passed when he was absent. "You gave me enough money till you return. And I don't need new supplies. I'm good."