13th May 2013
"Why can't you put your plates back in the kitchen?"
"I will put them back when I will get out of my room"
"Everything is about you and your comfort, isn't it?", my mother taunted.
"It's 8 in the morning, why are you shouting", my father shouted back.
I woke up to them screaming, I never thought that my mornings would be filled with screaming and breaking of plates. I put a pillow over my head to cover my ears. This had become so normal now, that I refrained from knowing what it was about. I headed straight to the bathroom. I bathed and put on a freshly ironed shirt. I went to the kitchen and ate my burnt breakfast on the table alone.
"Hi yellow", she chirped from across the kitchen.
"Hi ma", I gave her a quick smile and continued eating my toast.
"So, are you ready for the interview?", she was forcing a smile to pretend that everything was normal. Everything was the way it was supposed to be. But the cut below her left cheek didn't agree.
"I am a little nervous but it's only a part-time job. It's only for learning", I tried to play along with her act.
"And it's very natural to be nervous. Here, finish your juice, otherwise, you are going to be late", she smiled and walked out of the kitchen.
Continuously tapping my leg on the cold wooden floor, I was a stirred-up volcano, waiting to erupt. I was the only one left for an interview with the dean of my college. I must have this letter of recommendation. "Sara, you are next!", a sharp voice blared across the empty hallway. I took a staggering short breath and stood up with my fingers crossed. On entering the room, I saw Professor Andrews sitting behind his desk, meticulously running his eyes through my résumé. From what I have heard and seen, everyone used to start squirming under his gaze. Students often tried to steer clear of his way. His gaze held so much severity that everybody used to start squirming under it.
"Good morning sir", I looked down at my watch again.
"Have you mentioned the last project in your résumé which you did with my team?", He asked without looking up from the documents.
"Yes sir, I did—"
"Sara, you realize you are applying to one of the most valuable organizations of Greece", his tone laced with transparent gravity. I could only nod to that.
"Your score and projects you've displayed pass the eligibility criteria. And we are confident about your potential", he stated, maybe he wasn't that scary.
"Thank you, sir", was all I could utter.
"Since a lot of students have applied for this job, we want to make a fair decision. So, I would like to ask you a few questions myself", and thus began the never-ending question attack.
After 45 minutes he picked up his notepad and wrote down something hurriedly.
A few words start to dwindle
Across my mind that carried the needle
And a façade of smile persistent for years
A pronounced space, written among us
"Oh god", I dropped my diary when my phone rang, a few kids playing in the park turned their heads towards me. I gave them a sheepish smile before picking up my diary.
"Hello"
"Hey, how did your interview go?" Neil said at the highest of his voice.
"I don't know Neil, he asked a lot of questions. I am not sure if I answered correctly"
"You are extremely critical of yourself. Everyone knows you nailed it", he stated a little too confidently.
"Whatever, so what's up?"
"I received the offer letter today. I will start earning in a few days. Technically I will get my first paycheque in 40 days but you what I mean!" he babbled continuously and squealed like a little girl.
"Oh my god! That's so amazing", I stood up and joined his excitement. Maybe I shrieked a little too.
"We are going to celebrate and you're joining us. I will pick you up."
"I wish I could but I have a lot of work to do", I lied, even though I was jumping in excitement for my best friend, I couldn't join him in his happiness. How could I go and enjoy when my house was crashing down brick by brick turning into a lifeless pile of dust? How could I celebrate my friend's joy when my own family has become nothing but just a bunch of strangers forced to live under the same roof?
After assuring and reassuring that we would celebrate later. I hung up and walked towards my home. When I reached the front porch of my house, I saw a beautiful red flower blossoming in the flower pot which I painted for an art activity back in school. I planted this flower a few months ago and had quit waiting for it to grow. But it was growing now again I smiled at it. I sat beside it to click its picture to show it to Maa when I heard the breaking of plates and cups.
When I turned the knob a scream of agony welcomed me. I saw my mother sitting by the stairs, gallons of blood oozing out of her bruised arm.
"Maa!" I screamed and ran to her, crushing pieces of broken China and perhaps window panes under my shoes. One of them even got me through my shoes. But my eyes were fixated on my mother sitting in the middle of this mayhem.
"What happened here?" I tried to tie her wound. I tore my scarf in half and put it on her arm. It instantly soaked up all the blood. Every thread of it appeared to be dyed in red. Eyes of my mother were rolling up so high that her iris disappeared. The only thing left was the pale lightless eyes fighting to hold on.
"Oh god. Maa, I called an ambulance. Please try to stay awake. I am here." With my shaky legs, I stood up and stumbled towards the kitchen to grab some water and bandage when I saw him sitting on the table, with a shred of glass in his hands. With a shred of blood-red glass in his hands, sipping on his drink. My body felt like it could no longer carry my weight and my legs faltered until my back hit a wall.
"Papa?"