November 28, 1998
It was raining heavily that evening. The sound of thunder from clouds was terrifying. The sky was dark like it was midnight already. "This is an emergency case and there are complications from this accident. We need you to sign the forms as soon as possible so we can start the surgery" the nurse opens the door and gave a few papers to sign.
"Surgery!" A man wearing a brown coat panicked and his hands are shaking, stained with blood and so is his shirt. His face looks frightened and tears are falling to his cheeks rapidly. There's fear, sorrow and anger in his eyes. He signed the papers and sat down on a bench with a toddler sitting next to him. The nurse disappeared into the operation room and the red light starts flashing.
......
September 2nd, 2016
I'm 20 today. Being twenty is not so different, the same air I breathe yesterday, the same sunshine poking from the corner of that broken window. Waking me up to face the day. Same damn morning alarm which is completely useless. Jennie is barking and chasing Peter. Peter is an old man, who lives alone in that matchbox-sized shelter of bricks and cement, he calls it home. Peter is a drunk and always high. He's still alive, I wonder how? People say he was not like this always, he used to be the most perfect man in his time. Lost his wife, his family and his job, and somehow ended up living here.
"Happy birthday boy" the door opens.
And there she enters with a bright smile that is certainly gonna blind me. I roll my eyes at her and toss the blanket aside.
"I told you I'm not a boy anymore. And you should knock before entering my room." I snap and get out of my bed before she rushes and hugs me.
"Yeah good morning to you too," Anne said and open the curtains to fill my dark place with light. She made my bed while I was in the bathroom and left a box covered with ribbons and coloured papers. She left a note on it
I know you've grown up now. But you'll always be my little Jason with his heartwarming smile. Happy twentieth birthday my boy. I love you.
-Anne.
She's the most irritating person in this entire world. But my only family. She's everything to me. And I love her too, but never admit it. I tear the papers and kept the note carefully in my diary.
I hold the present in my lap and open it. At the top, it's a shiny box that gives a classy look. "You've got to be kidding me?" I almost screamed, my voice is high and loud. I saw a watch with a white dial and golden metal on it, and the brown leather straps that's clearly saying... expensive!!! People obsessed with watches could kill to add this piece to their collection.
How in this fucking hell did she afford this? Is she's selling drugs or something?
Okay, that was a worst-case scenario.
Along with it, there's an old and used hardcopy of "Wuthering Heights". And a new pair of Headphones.
I step down the stairs from my room and cross the hallway. She's sitting on the couch crossed legs with her magazine in one hand and coffee on the table. She's an elegant lady, a strong woman. Yet alone. And I'm the only family in her world.
"Thank you for all those things but they are not necessary. That watch is really way too much costl-"
"It's your Birthday Jace" she interrupts. With her sweet and serious voice. "You don't have to take care of the expenses. It's my job, not yours."
I sit down on the chair next to her. "But there's no need of any of those things. You know I don't do birthdays, right? And most importantly you could get me something affordable." I shrug and take a sip from her coffee.
"Who said we can't afford that? You like that don't you?" She takes the cup back from my hand and takes a sip to hide her smirk. I look at her with confusion in my eyes.
"I got a promotion last month. I was just saving it for this day. I'm the new head accountant." She acknowledges me very politely like this is no big thing to give a crap. And I nod in confusion. Within a second or two before I can even process what just happened, she turns towards me.
"Surprise" she screams, throws her arms in the air and hugs me. And now I have no escape from it. So I roll my eyes and hug her back.
I knew that she can't just say anything like that without any hugs and screams and all those girly things. She's always so excited like a little girl who got her favourite playset. I love it when she's happy.
"That watch belongs to your father Jace." She murmured. As soon as those words reached inside me I was astounded. I don't know how to react because I'm not emotional with my parents.
She holds me too tight and I know she's crying. And I can't handle it so I let her go and cup her cheeks with my hands to wipe her tears.
Even if it belongs to my father, I don't care at all. I just like the watch.
"Thank you for the presents, we're not gonna start the day like this, let's celebrate your success." I try to calm her.
"Congratulations babe". I tease her. And she swats my chest.
"Ouch" I put my hand over my heart dramatically and lean down on her shoulder pretending to be dead but she swats my head.
"Okay, this one hurts" I get up from the chair rubbing the top of my head and walk towards the kitchen. We had French toast that she prepared and some coffee.
"Your cooking is improving with your age" I tease her again. And she groans.
The leftovers were given to Peter and some dog food to Jennie. Did he ever have a bath in the last ten years? His eyes are always glossy and blood red. His face is covered with a beard that shows he never shaved in years. His clothes are torn and dirty. I have to give him another pair of my old clothes. Despite his appearance, he's a nice man. Peter never shouts at anyone and never meddles in anyone's life. He's a decent drunk. He lives his own life in his way. When I met him for the first time it was raining that year and he was standing outside and crying. Holding a bottle of something... cheap liquor I guess. His look was horrible but I petty him. That was the first day I offered him some food for dinner and he smiled. His eyes were high, glossy and filled with tears and I felt something for him. I don't know what, but something. From that day on Anne and I, both share our breakfast and dinner with Peter. And we get a smile and thank you in return.
"I'm leaving, see you later" I throw my bag on the backseat of my car and start the engine. "Drive safe, be careful and take care of yourself" Anne waved from the kitchen window, "Alright." I roll my eyes and leave the driveway. It's the first day of a new semester and there will be fun with freshman and hot chicks who I'm damn sure will throw themselves to the first guy they'll see in college. I have no intentions to be excited about joining new people. I'm good with my old "friends" who practically don't give a shit about me.
With slow music and windows a little down to pass the fresh air, I enjoy the drive of this new day.
I park my car in the campus parking space and grab my bag. Moving down the campus ground I got stopped by a voice.
YOU ARE READING
PREORDAINED : The Providence
Romance"Jason Smith" a 20-year-old high tempered, crude boy who doesn't believe the world. He doesn't know anything about his parents and is never interested in them. After a past incident that leaves a mark on his life, he tries to change himself for his...
