“I want to get home as soon as possible” the excitement in my voice isn’t new to me.
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Every year I and my family celebrate the day we bought this house. 5th May. I have a father, mother and a little brother. I’m the eldest.
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“Would you like to tell your details for this lucky draw coupon mam” the supermarket boy asked.
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“Yes” cause I can possibly be the happiest girl in this world now.
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“Name”
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“Maya! Its getting late” mom called from behind.
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“Sorry dude! Fill yours in my stead”
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“Great day girl” the boy shouted as I ran out.
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I went to my car and kept everything in the boot. Mom checked the list again before letting me close it. I drove down the alley and reached my simple and lovable house.
“Ma” I sighed as she kissed my forehead before sending me off.
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“Come as soon as possible” she told this for the 1000th time from morning.
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“Sure ma”
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The sun shone bright. The clouds moved slower than ever. As I drove to my studio my favourite song blared. I reached there just in time and ran into Grace. My colleague and friend who behaves nothing like her name.
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“Got a sunny soul?” she roared.
“Think so” I replied while taking the stairs while she waited for the lift.
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I took no more than 5 steps before I fell badly on the railings. I still finally reached my studio before Grace. She edits all my drawings and posts them in social media. More or less she is my manager.
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The day was pretty cool until I received a plagiarism complaint from another artist Jay.
“IT IS MY WORK! Doesn’t he dare to accuse me like that” I shouted.
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“I’ll handle it” Grace’s brother assured. He was a lawyer.
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My phone rang from the nearby room. I silented it. Once we sorted it I took my phone. Dad called me 10 times.
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“Damn. Sorry guys I got to leave” I rushed out and grabbed my jacket.
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My car stood alone in the parking. As I got in I just found that I lost my keys back there. It wasn’t a wise idea to walk for 5 mins and go to the 4th floor and then get my keys and again come all way back. I took a cab.
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I tried calling dad but he didn’t pick. I went home with the same excitement as morning. BUT.
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* * * * *
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Smoke devoured our street. Police sirens wailed. Awful pleas of ambulances echoed. I slowly got down. An unknown fear curled around my heart and it suddenly froze as the fire fighters brought my father and mother in stretcher. My mom’s nylon scarf stuck in her neck.
Neighbours tried to console me. But I wasn’t crying. I didn’t know why. My heart felt heavy as if it would sink inside the earth. I was not ready to accept the fact that my parents were NO MORE.
“It can’t be. It really can’t be” my voice broke. My heart felt like it stopped. Suddenly my heartbeat went high.
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“Where is my brother?”
I tried to go into that still burning house. A dozen of people pulled me back. My shrill scream rose above that chaos.
“Maya.” My aunt hugged me. “Oh my child! This should happen to no one. Be strong dear” she cried. Still not a single tear came out of me.
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An hour passed. I stood still watching my burnt house and my parents. My aunt kept weeping beside me. Grace’s brother was talking to the police about my brother. Grace never left my hand.
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The fire fighters cleared the place. A car came. My cousin Jane rushed out of it. She hugged me tightly.
“I’m sorry. We have to go” she rushed me into the cab.
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After a not-so-long journey we reached a hospital. She pulled me out. Still Grace didn’t leave my hand. She took me to a room. A relief. Actually it was something good no, the only good thing in this evening. My brother laid there. ALIVE.
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“What happened?” my voice was barely more than a murmur.
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“He got into an accident. Your parents were about to come here. They tried calling you but........” Jane stopped when the doctor called us.
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“In what way the patient is related to you?” the doctor asked
“My brother” I spoke
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“He is under supervision. Only after observations we can conclude anything” He paused for a moment and continued “His body is so weak. He got some internal bleeding. We want you sign this so that we can proceed with the surgery.”
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He gave me the papers and a pen. I hesitated.
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“It should be done as soon as possible mam”
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Once I signed it they allowed me to meet him. He laid like a doll. His eyes slowly opened. He removed the oxygen mask with trouble.
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“Ma... Maya..... Take... ke... care of mom and.... dad....” He stammered.
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The nurses took him inside the operation theatre as I held back the urge to tell him everything and lament. I held his hand tightly as a sign of affirmation.
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* * * * *
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“Did she sleep?” Jane asked Grace.
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“She didn’t even blink” she replied. Still holding my hand.
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HOW THE NIGHT CHANGES. Nothing can define it better. Morning, noon and evening flew in the blink of an eye. Grace’s brother called every hour to ensure that everything was alright. The operation got over.
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“He is out of danger” the doctor’s words were the only thing I yearned to hear. He smiled. “How will you take care of him when he wakes up? Go and have something or else I’ll have to arrange a bed for you near your brother” he teased.
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I asked Grace to stay back and went to the hospital cafeteria. I was about to order a coffee when Grace called. My phone fell and broke into pieces. I stood like a stone.
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