"Emi, come here. My dear Emi is all grown up now. I know she doesn't like mamma controlling her. Uncle Jacky ( Mr Jackson pet name) will listen to you. Tell me what are your worries."
"No uncle . Nothing."
Emi knew that no one is gonna understand her. Also she won't be able to express what's really going inside her.
"How's that nothing. You were having such an intense argument with your mother and now you are saying nothing."
"Nothing uncle. Let's rush now otherwise we'll be late."
Mr Jackson knew that Emi was troubled. He knew that she is lying but he didn't pushed her .
"Ok kiddo. But do tell Jacky uncle if there's anything. Don't forget you have me to back you up."
"Yeah I know. Uncle is best."
"Ha ha. Let's go."
Avi(Emi's stepbrother who is 5 year old)was already in the car.
"How much time you are taking dad? I thought I am gonna spend all day in car itself."
"When you came here??"Mr Jackson was surprised to see Avi in car.
"When mom was shouting at sis. I knew the war is not gonna over soon so I just came out just to save my sanity."
"You punk! Can't you take a stand for your sister. How can you run away and leave your sister behind?"
"So what do you wanted me to do? To jump between mom and sis. Nah!! I am still young. I don't wanna die in ladies war."
"You..."
"Uncle, leave it. Let's go or I'll be late."
"Yes dad. Let's go . I am also getting late".
"You little punk. See how your sis always protects you. Learn something."
"Ok ok.i know.. let's go."
"Buckle up the seat belt. Let's go".
Music was playing in the car . Avi was playing games on his console. Mr Jackson was humming and driving but Emi's attention was outside the window. She was watching people playing games, mother loving their kids , children fighting. In the way only thought of her was," is this all real or pretence?""Is the world even same as we perceive or just an illusion created by people? Is the love of Mr Jackson and her brother real, or is it also fake?"
Emi has faced so many things at such a young age that now her belief on love has been completely shattered. She thinks that if her parents can leave her, who just loves her because of societal pressure then how anyone else can truly love her? A love which seeks no societal validation, a love which is not a pretence but just pure and simple.
"Can there be really such kinda love?? Even if there is, can I'll ever be able to feel it??"
These questions were constantly lingering in her mind.
"Emi,do you wanna eat something. You didn't had anything for breakfast."
Mr Jackson words brought Emi out of her thoughts.
"No thanks uncle. I don't feel like eating anything. I will eat something in canteen."
"Ok dear. Wanna some money."
"No , I have some."
"Ohh!"
Emi was feeling terrible. She decided to leave things as they were. She opened the car's windshield to get fresh air.
"(Anyway soon I am turning 18 and then I will just go my way. By then I won't be burden on my mom not uncle has to always mediate between us. He won't have to take trouble for me)."
"Emi, your college .."
"Oh , we arrived. Bye uncle. Bye Avi."
"Emi...."(Mr Jackson wanted to say something but Emi ran towards her college without hearing him)
"Bye sis . Take care."
Emi ran towards her classroom.If she would have arrived just 2 minutes later she would have been late for her classes.