BEYOND:
February 13, YYYY.
Alvara!
Alvara honey!
I could hear mom call me. Her voice was filled with so much happiness that reminded me of old her, when dad was alive. She was happy, truly happy. A lot happier; but for who? That Derek Ashcroft.
I felt pity for her but at the same time I was at the brink of my tolerance.
"Alvara!"
"Yes mom!"
"Where are you?"
"I'm here, in my room."
The door opened with a click and there was she, standing behind me.
"There you are!"
"What are you doing there at the balcony my dear?"
I could tell her face expressions without pouring a look at her, just by the cheerfulness in her voice, and because I didn't turn. I was so angry at her, that how could she forget everything already? But then I remembered how forgetful a goldfish is, after all mum was a Pisces but innocent.
"Just look at yourself Alvie! You aren't ready yet."
I didn't hear what she said after that, but it sure did snap me out of my thoughts.
"Yes mum?"
I asked without knowing the context.
"Alvara, why aren't you ready yet?"
I put a glance over the wall clock, it showed 18:00 hours. I let out a sigh. "Mom, it's six now, the party's at eight."
"I know darling the party's at eight, but you have to make preparation for it before. Don't you?"
What she said gave a booster shot to my anger and frustration, as my grip tightened on the balcony pole.
"Alvara, it's you dad's and my anniversary."
She was half way through it and I stopped her.
HE. IS. NOT. MY. DAD. MOTHER!
HE IS NOT MY DAD..
"How many times have I told you, not to refer that person as my father. I'm not related to that Derek Ashcroft."
"VARA!"
"MOM PLEASE!"
"If you have anything else to say, go ahead. Anything but this mom, never!"
"Alvie, do get ready by seven."
She said that as she left my dress on my bed. And then there was a bang —.
And there I was; standing in the Ashcroft mansion, with tears of fury flooding my eyes.
Till that day more than half of my age was spent in mom convincing me that Derek Ashcroft is my father and I convincing her that he isn't, he is just her so called husband. But we both were on the losing side.
My room was intruded again but this time it was Alexis.
"Alvie, what did you say to mom?" She asked like a policewoman.
"Truth! I just told her the truth, Alex."
"Was the truth that much important to be told today? She was so happy. You shouldn't have said the truth today, Alvie!"
"Would've the truth changed if I held it a bit longer Alex?"
"Alvie, you have a problem with dad. You shouldn't have said anything to mum today."
"Alex did mum sent you here?"
"NO! I just saw her leaving your room."
"Then go ask her, I didn't say anything, and Alex, you stay out of this! Please! I've told you before and I am telling you again; do not meddle in it. I love you Alex, and I don't want this fire to catch you."
"Alvie?"
"Well leave it, get ready. We have to host the reception!"
I turned around to face her.
"The only person who'll host the reception will be you! Alex, not me. So you should better stop wasting your time here and go get ready."
"Alvie, mom wants us both to do it. Could you not do it for mom?"
"I'm going to the party because of mom, Alex."
"Then do it for me!"
"What?"
"Host the reception for me, Alvie, please!"
"Alex, go to your room and get ready."
"Will you do it? Please?"
"ALEX!"
"AVY PLEASE!"
"We'll see?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmsuROVsKM
Mom left me with a black maxi dress, its fabric as dark as the heavy clouds that mirrored the weight on my chest. The neckline felt more like a constraint, making it hard to breathe. Each step I took felt like a struggle, the dress dragging along as if shaping me to face the night ahead. The silver necklace with its cold dark onyx pendant felt like a reminder of the night's expectations. The small silver earrings in my ears felt more like a burden piercing my heart. The slender silver bracelet encircled my wrist feeling more like a shackle binding me to an evening I found daunting. 12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P1vSBUpUb
It was seven thirty, and people started to come. Just family and friends. I was half way through the hallway, when Juan came to call me. When I stepped into the hall, mom came and hugged me. "Thank you so much for coming darling; I knew you would!"
I pulled back and to my surprise, Derek Ashcroft wasn't in the party.
He was somewhere else. Somewhere near that Manual!
When I see that person fury burns within me, my fears start rising up, but all of a sudden I'm paralyzed. The ignition that fuels my anger only burns me inside out, turns me into ash; as there's nothing left.
I was taken aback from my thoughts as Alex came near me. Just then Derek Ashcroft entered the scene. He was under the influence, couldn't keep up his balance, and had a bouquet of red roses in his hand. There was pin drop silence, and mom started stepping towards him. Her eyes sparkled with hope, love, and care that maybe that was the day when things would definitely change. The smile on her lips, and the happiness on her face turned all into a misery within a second as he slapped her.
That Derek Ashcroft slapped my mother in front of everyone and I couldn't do anything. I was just standing there completely frozen at my spot. My wounds started burning and I was breathing fire like a dragon. There was something so familiar with that sound. But that wasn't the only thing he did. He then threw those flowers at her.
"Get out of my life you —"
"Dad!", Alex shouted.
But he didn't stop. That person insulted, humiliated, degraded my mother in every best possible way he could. He left no stone unturned to turn that party into an opera of ignominy.
Then he left the house. Everyone left. Mom locked herself into her room.
In the morning, Silvia found her dead!
The doctor said it was because of over consumption of alcohol followed by a cardiac arrest. But I knew that wasn't it. She was dead long before that, just was killed yesterday.
That was the day mom left me all alone just with a single note.
"I am sorry Alvara! Forgive me, PLEASE!"
I was left all alone, but to my surprise; the tape recorder that played in yesterday's party, was all now in my share.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgetFkEqsj
