Chapter 94: Food is the way
Since the time Aric had become rich, Avni felt like he had lost all respect for his elders, except for his own parents. Avni could tell that he harbored some kind of hatred for many of their relatives and was neutral toward others.
This was inexplicable, and Avni even asked him if he had faced any kind of aggression or anything of that sort, but Aric just denied it and continued with his cold attitude toward many of his relatives. His aunt wanted to speak up more when the doorbell rang.
Aric was glad that his father had arrived and went straight to greet him and talk with him. He had gone to Mumbai to finalize the passport for everyone. As soon as Aric opened the door, what welcomed his eyes was not the sight of his father but rather two white men standing in front, wearing proper suits and pants.
"Mira, who are they?" Aric was confused, as he wasn’t sure he had any kind of appointment with anyone from a foreign country. At least, they looked like Europeans.
"I am sorry, but is this the house of Mr. Aric More?" The man, who had a head full of white hair and looked quite old and mature, asked in an accent that was definitely European.
"This is Dr. Archim Walter, Head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, ETH, Zurich. Yup, your seed has borne fruit, literally," Mira replied while the man asked him if he was Aric. Mira’s words really put a smile on Aric’s face. He had been waiting for a call from one of these universities, the ones he had sent his letters to.
Now one was finally here.
"Yes, I am Aric More, and you are?" Aric asked. He already knew the answer, but he needed to act casual. Soon both of them were introduced, and the other man was an assistant of Dr. Walter. Aric didn’t want to be rude and invited them in. Avni was in the back when she heard a different voice and immediately called Aric’s aunt to a different room so that Aric could talk with the new visitors.
Avni didn’t know who they were, but since her son had accomplished so many things, it was only natural for her to pave the way for him. Aric’s aunt was confused, and Avni straight up lied to her. Though Aric’s aunt was bewildered by what was going on, she still followed Avni to another room, leaving Aric alone.
"It must have been tough coming from such a long way," Aric said as he offered them a glass of water. Both of them hesitated to take the glass. These professors had been warned about trying water from an unconfirmed source. Aric could already sense their thoughts and said,
"The water is boiled and double-purified, so it is safe to drink, even for Westerners who are not acclimatized to the weather and biomes of Indian food and water." This made the two of them ashamed and embarrassed.