The next couple of days me and Emma are inseparable. Every moment that Emma isn't at school or tutoring we are together. She is 8 now. It's so weird the last time I saw her she was a baby just starting school. One day when I was drawing in my room quietly when she burst in. She's still in her school uniform. She plods on my bed and sighs. I smirk and put my things down.
"Did something happen at school today?".
She pouts "No, I can't find my tiger".
" What tiger?".
"The stuffed one that I had in my old house". I remember that she always held a stuffed tiger she always carried around. She named it Rajah after the tiger in Aladdin. Man she loved that movie.
"Well, do you have any idea where it is?" I ask as I sketch a face.
"It's probably in the attic".
"You have an attic", I'm shocked at that.
Emma sits up "Yeah but i'm not allowed up there".
She looks at me cheeky "but you know, you might be able to". She drags her sentence slowly. I look at her and pinch her cheek. "Well aren't you a cheeky little monkey". "But don't you love me so much ?". I laugh and tickle her tummy. She squeals and tries to tickle me back but I am stronger.
I think about Emma's tiger when she goes to school the next day.I asked Auntie about the attic. She says there is a ladder you have to pull down to get in the attic near Emma's room. I wonder around near Emma room. Where the hell is it- oh there. I see a door on the ceiling. Wow it was right there. I try to reach the handle but I'm too short. "Auntie, I need a stool!". Auntie gives me one from the kitchen. I reach for the handle and a ladder folds out. I climb up the stairs and pop my head into the attic.
My jaw drops to the floor. It was so beautiful. The room felt warm and comforting. The tiny window in front of me provided sunlight. I scan the small room. Old cardboard boxes are lying everywhere and it needs sweeping. It's going to take a while to find it. "Auntie, can I use the dustpan please!" I yell down.
Music is pumping through my earphones. I sent most of yesterday and today sweeping and looking through boxes. I still haven't found it. Most of the boxes have old clothes and other items. However there is one thing I hadn't looked at. There is this item that is covered with a white cloth. Its a bit taller than me. I push it for later, trying to find the damn tiger.
Everyone sits down for dinner. Tonight is special. Uncle got a promotion at work so my auntie and I have been cooking a feast. I reach for the dahl. "Can I have some?" Emma asks. I pour some on her plate. She claps her hands and gets ready to dig in. "what do we do before we eat" Auntie interprets.
My hand freezes with my rice and chicken curry. Emma and I make the same face of surprise. We both sheepishly say our prayers. "Thank Lord for giving us food and for the hands who had it amen". Everyone digs in enjoying aunties food to the fullest. I asked Uncle what he does now. he tells me he is now the head accountant of the docks. So all the dock's finances go past him. "Oosh not for me. I am the worst at maths". Uncle gives out a deep belly laugh "Thais fine. You are way better at art than me. I could only draw stick figures at school". we share a laugh around the table.
I whisper to Emma "Sorry, I couldn't find your tiger". Emma's face looks downcast. My heart aches at her expression "Hey maybe I didn't look hard enough. I didn't check some corners. I'll look tomorrow". She nods sadly. man why is it so hard to find one tiger.
I try my best but I couldn't find it. My eyes are drawn to the object covered in the cloth. I reach out and pull it. White cloth pools at my feet.
YOU ARE READING
The girl in the mirror
RomansaEve is visiting family in India. She expected to spend most of her days lying in bed in the hot sun and tensing her little cousin. Little did she know that a trip to the attic would change her plans. Looks like a magic mirror is spicing up her summ...
