WILD ROSE 3 (True Story)

Zareen stretched on the sofa, he felt so hungry. Where was that coke Lana was bringing him?? Its been so long since she has gone in the kitchen to fetch him the coke. Why wasn’t she bringing it to him? Didn’t she know he was thirsty too? Although not wanting to miss even a little bit of his favourite show, the little boy got up from his comfortable place on the sofa, succumbing to his hunger and thirst. “ sisyyy!!! …” Zareen’s voice reached Lana, and she felt him coming near.“
sisyy… what .. What’s wrong??... Are you sick??” asked Zareen worried and unsure of himself seeing the hunched figure of his sister beside the kitchen counter.
Lana was crouched low, her limbs closing in on her body and her head resting on her knees. With her hair falling over and covering the most of her length, she looked so vulnerable.
“I am ok. There’s your coke.” Her voice sounded shaky and her hand pointed to the bottle of coke which sat on the kitchen counter; she did not look up.
“why are you sitting there…? Is everything ok?.. Should I call mom???” Zareen asked, his babyishness audible in his voice.
“No, its fine sweetie. Am about to go. Isn’t this the time for your favourite show?... now come on run. You don’t want to miss it!..” Lana looked up, her eyes red and sore.
“Yeah I forgot!” and he ran out of the kitchen, unknowingly leaving his sister in an abyss, alone.
* * * * * * *
It was past eleven o’ clock in the night. Grandma sat in the living room weaving a handkerchief from the pinkest of the wool. Wrinkles environed her eyes… her eyes that had seen so much. She was a strong woman; one who never surrendered. Significantly, her energy was crystal clear from the efficiency with which she was doing the tedious work.
“Grandma…” Lana broke the silence. She was in her night gown.
“Yes dear.” Grandma replied absently, feeling no need to look up from the so-concentration -demanding work.
“My mother…. Who was she?” it came out as a whisper but one that even filled the silence.
She saw grandma go rigid. Instantly, she stopped the weaving and her head snapped towards Lana, her eyes betraying whatever she was trying to hide.
“Have you been crying?? Your eyes …. Why?? What’s wrong. What do you mean?” grandma was as if searching for appropriate words.
“Who was she to YOU!?” Lana kept on going. She needed to know the truth. If it was ugly then so it be.
“What do you mean Lana? And why aren’t you asleep. And you didn’t answer me. Have you been crying. Come here my sweetie…”, grandma sounded concerned but at the same time shocked too.
Lana walked over to her grandma and sat down on the sofa beside her.
“ was she…. Your daughter..??” Lana felt tears prickling her eyes. She didn’t want to cry.. No.. . not here. Not infront of grandma and not now.
“ of course.. is that a thing to ask… she was my daughter… “Grandma’s voice was so convincing but it wasn’t enough to bring an end to the miseries of the hapless girl.
“She was your step daughter…. I am your step grand daughter..” Lana’s voice trailed off.
“ who told you?... how did this come into your mind.! Your mother was MY daughter. “ grandma hugged Lana.
“ but uncle said.. that she was … she was… the mistake of some woman grandpa dated… and that she was …” Lana regretted her words the instant it was out of her mouth.
“What! Fathih told you?? How come! How dare he!?” anger soared in her voice.
“don’t lie grandma. Please. Just tell me the truth. I promise I won’t hurt….” Lana managed to cry out.
“Your mother wasn’t a mistake…. She was my daughter. I love her more than anything and anyone. And she loved me back,. I was her mother….as she believed and as I did too.” The old lady’s voice was clogged with emotions.
“really??.... when … when did she come into this house.. did you bring her..??” Lana wanted to know more.
“ yes. I brought her. Her mother died when she was only about six years old. your grandpa never gave them their rights and she had equal right to be brought up in this house just as much as Fathih did. … she was the most beautiful thing. ….She never disobeyed me… loved me a lot. more than even my own son…My own blood….. I still remember those nights, when I was sick, she would stand beside my bed, sacrificing her beauty sleep just to make sure I was alright.. no one has ever loved and cared for me as much as your mother did….” Grandma’s voice was filled with warmth.
Lana wiped the tears that escaped from her eyes. She was stronger than Fathih thought. What does he know about love? About affection? He was a monster. All stone and derived totally from all emotions. Lana thought.
He was going to pay for making her suffer so much…and soon..
Lana will speak of his continuous abuses of her. Tonight she had made up her mind.
Finally and for good.
TO BE CONTINUED....
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