There was no one left on the island. Everything was washed away. Not a single trace of life on the once perfect paradise.
We had just arrived, two days after the storm, to survey the damage. I couldn’t bear to look at what used to be my home, my sanctuary.
How do you begin again?
“Is this seat taken?”
I wanted to say no. Obviously he had nowhere else to sit. All the benches were occupied and the only chair free was this one at my table.
“You know what, it’s not a problem. Sorry, I bothered you.”
Before I could speak, he was already too far to hear me.
You were waiting by the taxi stand. I tried to catch your attention but your brows were furrowed, your thumbs moving fast and angry over your mobile phone’s keypad. Were you having a bad day, I wanted to ask. But you didn’t know me and that would seem strange. I hope tomorrow will be better.
There are some days when she gets tired of this. Of the attention, of the work, of the sleepless nights.
But then when she walks out onstage and hears her screaming fans, she forgets about that.
Today, there are no screaming fans and she goes back to sleep with a smile. “Today, I am nobody.”
“The light hurts my eyes,” she says.
She was lying in the backseat with a blanket wrapped around her.
“I know. I’m sorry,” I tell her.
She had been lying in that hospital bed for three months. We both knew we just wanted to lie in bed together at home—however long that would last.
Mom was always in the driver’s seat. I’d sit in the back because she said she didn’t trust her driving. She would take me to school and pick me up at four o’clock on the dot. We’d go out for ice cream on some days and then go home to do my homework right after.
I’m tired. Always going the extra mile for you, stretching myself thin, forgetting about my happiness. Because for a while now, all I’ve been trying to do is make you happy. See what’s wrong with that picture? It’s all about you. Someday, I will finally realize this and maybe, I’ll be able to walk away.
I’ve never stayed in one place for more than a year. My father travels for work and I can’t very well stay behind. I’m only 12. I’ve never had any friends and I’m always looking for ways to entertain myself. I’ve decided to go to an exhibit on my thirteenth birthday. Does this hotel have one?
