Sarah
It was our graduation ceremony, sitting beside me was my best friend, Lydia. While the speech was going on, I stared at her.
"I wish I'll be able to confront my parents and tell them that I need to live my life as I want after I get this certificate,"
Lydia scoffed. "You know… If wishes were horses, beggars would ride," she said and leaned back.
I'll be graduating today and I have nothing to hold on to except my certificate and Lydia.
No social life and friends. Basically, I have been living my life how my parents want it and after this, I'm sure they'd push me for an internship program, then finally get married to someone they have chosen for me.
My parents made me break up with my boyfriend – Maybe ex now. Why? Because he wanted to get married to me and my parents disapproved.
Could life get any worse for me?
Yes, it could with a call from my dad. That's something currently worse right now. No good news ever comes from my dad.
"Who is that?" Lydia asked.
"My dad," I responded, resting my hand on the chair as I stood up to excuse myself outside the auditorium. "Hey Dad."
"Good news! You'll be going to New York for your internship!"
"Dad! I haven't gotten my certificate yet!"
"You'll get it in a few hours from now. I'll be waiting," he said and hung up.
As I turned around, I collided with a little kid. "Sorry! Sorry!!" I apologized with my hands reaching out to her as I helped her up.
I searched everywhere. Maybe her guardian or parents will show up, but they didn't. "Where are your parents?"
"My dad doesn't like it when I talk to strangers," she said.
I was thrown aback. I dipped my hand in my pocket to bring out my ID card, "I'm a doctor — Maybe to be," I laughed at my lame jokes. "But, I'm harmless, I don't want you hanging around a busy area,"
"Well, my dad is giving a lecture," she pointed at our auditorium. "I was bored then I went out. Don't worry, I'll find my way back,"
Shortly, a young man approached me. He is probably in his thirties, all dressed up in his neatly ironed tuxedo. Perfect jawline, beautifully relaxed black hair, and his black viking beards.
He is all perfect in appearance…
"I told you not to talk to strangers!" He scolded his daughter, glared at me, and without uttering a word he left.
He is mannerless… I concluded.
I saw Lydia coming, but I paid no attention to her until the rude man had disappeared out of sight.
"What went wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing really. My father has secured a hospital where I'd do my internship," I said, placing my hands on my hips.
"I'm jealous. I'll have to earn from side jobs before I can do that,"
"That's life for you." I tapped Lydia's shoulder. "Let's go inside and collect our goddamn certificate,"
After collecting mine, took several pictures, and I headed home.
Approaching my house, I saw an artist drawing the landscapes of the city. This was the life I wanted for myself when I was a teenager – I love being creative. Even though I draw sometimes, my parents must not find out.
When I got home, I greeted my parents, and in return, they greeted me with a smile on their face. To them, this was a turning point for them. My father, Jackson Smith, a doctor in Lincolnshire and my mother is a nurse at an elderly home.
My grandparents worked in a hospital. Basically, we are all family filled with health practitioners.
"Your plane ticket is ready. Doctor Hamilton would be waiting for you," my dad notified me, keeping me still in my misery.
"Dad, can't I wait till the next day?" I asked, feeling exhausted already.
"No, you have to be quick. I want you there very early to make your first impression and I want that to be the best."
"You literally used your connection to get me in,"
"That's a great step to success. Now, use that to your advantage and make our family proud."
This is overwhelming, but I don't even know what to do.
My mum walked towards me, she got hold of my collar. "And make sure you focus on why you are there. Don't get distracted and don't date talk less of planning a marriage with anyone till you're done with your internship."
"No boyfriends too?"
"They are a distraction, so no,"
"Mum! I'm 21! Cut me some slack!" I didn't know when that outburst happened, but the living room got extremely quiet and I could hear my own heartbeat.
"Follow the path we laid for you, you don't want to end up like your sister. Do you?" My mother asked as she tapped my shoulders with both hands.
My sister died in a car accident three years ago. She had an argument with our parents, she ordered Uber and a few hours later, she was dead.
I didn't know what to do other than to follow the path they have laid out for me. It is tiring, but I have no choice right now.
I collected the plane ticket. My mother had prepared everything for me. I bade them goodbye and left for the airport.
***
It has been a week since I got to New York and to be honest, everyone is very nice around me. I made two new friends Rebekah and Josh. They were nice couples, making me wish I was in a relationship too, but my parents wouldn't let me have peace if I tried.
"We have a grand party this weekend, you wanna come along?" Rebekah asked.
"Today is Monday. Let that day come first," I responded as I resumed filing a patient's information.
Suddenly — Not suddenly — It happens almost everyday…
Someone is being dragged inside on a rolling bed — It was a kid.
I ran to help and I noticed the girl looked familiar — It was the girl with the rude father. I snapped my fingers, the girl I met back at home.
"Sarah! Focus," Josh's voice rang in my ears, making me concentrate on what was happening.
She had a slight bruise on her head. "She is just in shock," Rebekah confirmed and they dragged her inside for a better checkup.
*Why isn't her father always with her?* I wondered.
A few minutes later, the father ran inside the hospital. His eyes wandered aimlessly, and I was sure of who he was looking for.
"Calm down, your child is safe," I tried to ease his tempo, but he wasn't having any of it.
"Don't tell me to calm down! I need to see my daughter!" He yelled.
"Okay Okay," I didn't know what to do, but before I punch someone in the face to calm down, I need to get him to his daughter. "Why will you always leave your daughter alone though?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Huh?"
"You're deaf?" I asked. One of the nurses kept signaling me to stop – Yet I didn't. "Why would you always leave your daughter all alone? This is the second time I'll notice this,"
"Do you know who you're confronting?" He asked.
"I don't give a damn who you are. Who the fuck are you?"
I could feel the uproar in the waiting room. Everyone seems to know him except me. And I don't care.
If my parents had given my sister listening ears, maybe she'll still be alive. If my parents hadn't been so focused on family business, maybe they will see the potential that I have as an artist.
His attitude disgusts me because he reminds me of my nonchalant attitude of my parents and he thinks he cares about his daughter, but he doesn't — It is annoying.
"I'll make sure you get thrown out of this place immediately. A doctor doesn't behave this way." He isn't losing his shit. He seems very composed while talking. He threatened me in a very calm manner. "You know nothing when it comes to my daughter. I'll love it if you behave yourself before I really throw you out."
I stayed silent and when I'm sure he wasn't saying anything, I said. "I don't know what your father-daughter relationship is – You need to be with your daughter always, if you can't hire a nanny for her!" I yelled.
Clearly, I'm taking the hidden hatred I have for my parents on him and I'm getting out of line, still, I don't care.
The hospital went eeril quiet. "I'll make sure you don't work here anymore," he said with a very low tone then walked away from my presence.
Will I apologize? No! I did nothing wrong!
Well, after a few hours I was suspended. I couldn't help but imagine how high my parents will yell. Thank goodness the insider my parents have is currently on leave. There would is no one to inform my parents of my behavior.
In the next few days, I had lots of time to spend and I slept like a baby without worries, I visited a few art galleries in the city and I must say…
"They are very nice,"
I'm going about my usual stay-at-home routine when I got a call from Rebekah. I picked up sluggishly.
"Are you still up for that party?" she asked.
I was glad, but for some reasons I need to be serious. "Have you helped me tender an apology to the boss?"
"You'll need to apologize to the man you offended, he is the only person that can bring you back right now."
"No, I won't. I did nothing wrong." I said.
"Okay. Are you still in for the party?" She asked.
"Absolutely. Send me the location,"
In a few minutes I was done and I ordered an Uber. I got to the location and everywhere screamed elegance!
Several chandeliers booming different colours, people dressed in expensive gowns and suits. Lydia didn't tell me this party is for the rich! My parents are quite wealthy, but this is something I haven't seen in a long while! I wish Lydia is here to see this.
"You came!" Josh distracted me.
"Yes, I did," I replied with my lips wide for a grin.
"What you did on Monday? You're really brave for that. The man you confronted is Mr. Ronan Steele. The owner of The Audrey's. A role model to the rich." He turned to Sarah, "Thinking about it again, you were really brave. I would never had done that,"
Josh laughed. It was funny to him, but never to me. As I was about getting my thoughts over the proclaimed wealthy man, my eyes wandered towards the main door and there — I saw him… Ronan Steele.
The once lousy hall went extremely quiet and I could hear his footsteps as everyone stared at him. Even males were caught in his trap.
*Even you? Sarah?*
Me?
I'd be lying if I say he didn't get my attention too.