Page 3 of Storm
I broke the hug and glanced outside the window, taking a deep breath. I was scared like hell. But, I could not back out or show it.
I told her the truth,
“Gran, I don't feel that spark anymore. Nonetheless, I have to try moving the hell on. This is my first step, to see if I can get my head back in the game...Can find that spunk, the urge again. If I do, I’ll quit and join to do work that I loved.”
‘I just hope I’d find my new lease to life in that new city, new job. Then maybe, just maybe I will be able to forget everything. It won’t hurt so much. I would not be angry all the time at the world, at the universe for the injustice, of taking it all away from me. Maybe I would feel good again, happy again. It has been long, since I have felt that way.’ I thought to myself.
“You’re trying, and that is admirable. I’m so proud of you darling. Do you remember, we had planned on shifting there at the time when...” Gran started reminiscing something I had fought hard to move on from, so I stopped her,
“Gran, please.”
She nodded understandingly and left my bedroom to pack the other stuff.
I went on with my own packing, and came across it. Picking up the paper, I caressed it, sighing in relaxation.
A smile crept on my face, this time of immense longing, as I finished reading it, and spoke my heart aloud, “You bring hope in me...always. This is a new beginning I’m ready to take on. Hope to see you around there. I don’t know why, but I just feel like I’d be more alive if I have you there in any form. Be it as a known stranger, a friend, as someone I wish to...” Words failed me and I stated with determination,
“I won't let go this time.”
Present day-
“Ooh! Wow! Umber, doesn’t that swing look amazing?” I heard a mesmerised voice from behind me.
The sleepy afternoon silence carried it to my ears, as I stood in my bedroom’s terrace, close to that of my neighbour’s. It felt peaceful around here...A nice change from the usual noise of the city, given the fact that my house was in one of the posh localities of Seattle, a little outside the city buzz.
“I have never seen such a creative one before. Yet I feel like I have always wanted a similar one in my bedroom. It’s so cute and cosy looking!” The girl sighed longingly.
Listening to her, an instant smile came on my lips.
I mildly recognized the voice, but could have bet my life on, which person it belonged too...Who the girl on that terrace was...
I was tempted to look behind, but stopped myself as a memory from not so long ago flashed in front of my eyes-
“We’ll put this in your bedroom.” Mom had smiled lovingly admiring the swing.
“Mom, I don’t like...”
“Your wife would love it. I bet you. It would be her room too Aariz. That is when you finally decide to get married. When are you...?”
Thus, her usual all time favourite questions had started about when I was going to settle down...Embedded with her concern and love for me, her only child.
My body went cold with nostalgia. Upon that, hearing the voice from Zidaan’s terrace, still cooing over the swing, made my breathing ragged. My temper rose to another level. How dare she remind me of the past which felt nothing but harsh to me these days?!
I knew it was not the girl's fault. Yet I wanted to, needed to, get away from the memories that had the power to drown me into endless pain.
“No! Keep it in the store room.” I snapped at the workers who were setting up the swing.
They scurried away with it, and the girl gave an annoyed yell,
“Tease!”
It seemed to be specifically for my ears.
Then as if lowering her tone, yet speaking just as loudly, she stated in a conspiratorial kind of voice,
“Why do I feel like he changed his mind just because I liked it?”
Another girl, probably the one she had called Umber, scoffed, “He didn’t even turn around to see you. And even if he did hear you, why would he be offended on the admiration of his stuff?”
