Masked (#Wattys 2016)

Chapter 6

They hesitantly knocked on the front door, the time Demi's mother took to open the door felt like forever to them, but when she finally did. Nina couldn't control her tears from pooling up her eye. 

Mary's eyes were red, probably from crying. She looked dead, lifeless more so ever. She struggled in her steps. She was a changed woman now. The divorce had gotten the very best of her. It was hard for me to believe this was the same woman who baked the most delicious pie's for us. 

She held Matt's hand tightly. He gave her a reassuring smile as they walked inside the house. 

"How are you, Mary?"

Mary had a stoic face, she seemed lost in her own thoughts. Nina decided to repeat her question.

"Oh, I'm fine darling" Mary finally replies. 

Matt looked upstairs to see if Demi heard them coming. There was nobody. 

"Is Demi home?"

"Yes, she's upstairs in her room"

Nina looked at Mary, he expression still the same. She felt bad for her. The pain in Mary's eyes were visible, she was broken from inside. She was trying to fix things, but they only seemed to be falling apart.  

Matt and Nina started climbing the stairs up to Demi's room. Her room was too quiet and this worried them. They turned the handle of the door and it opened with a light creak. They only wished they knocked before opening the door.

The room smelled of bad food and alcohol, it was dimly lighted. The atmosphere was very negative, there they saw Demi sitting with her back towards the door oblivious to the fact that they entered the room. Nina couldn't control her tears and broke down. 

Matt tapped her shoulder "Demi?"

Demi turned back to look at Matt, they have never seemed the ever so jolly Demi in such a avatar before, her eyes were moist from crying for long hours. She looked pale and tired. 

Demi looked at Nina, dragging her body towards her she gave Nina a warm hug. 

"It's all over, Nina. It's all over" 

Nina could feel warm drops of tears on her shoulder, Demi was crying. Nina tried her best to control herself.

Demi. Don't do this to yourself, Demi.

"It's all okay"

"I don't want to live anymore"

Me neither, Demi. Me neither. 

"Demi, pain is temporary. This too shall pass" 

Nina consoled Demi, when she was sure, nothing would be like it was before. 

She signaled Matt to pull the curtains out. The room was lit up with the few rays of sunlight. 

The room was a mess, things were scattered all around the room. Nina decided to help Demi get out of her sadness, she decided to make the room proper. 

"You don't have to worry about anything, we are here for you"

Demi had a short curve on her lips. That was motivating enough for Nina to start working. 

I wish i could show you, how nice you look when you smile.

A couple of hours later, Demi's room looked and felt lively. Demi looked lively. Matt looked at Nina with a sense of accomplishment. In an attempt to change things up, Nina brought up the competition topic. 

"Um..you know, i'm really exited about the writing competition"

Demi's eyes gleamed as she listened intently. Nina knew she hit the right chords, she knew nothing could kill Demi's passion for writing, Demi was back in her space and Nina was happy to see that.

"You are always exited, my bunny"

Demi broke into a laugh that sounded like melody in their ears.

She is my bunny, she knows exactly how to bring me back, without her i am lost. Lost like dad. 

"Not always!"

"She's right, you know" Matt jumped in the conversation. 

The ambiance never felt so lively before. They looked at each other with happiness in their hearts. 
They heard a knock on the door.

"I have made lunch for y'all, come down"

"We'll be right down, mom"

Mary's eyes gleamed with happiness as she saw her daughter smiling, she wiped her tears and got into the moment. 

"Shall we?"

"Let's"

 

The lunch was enjoyed by all of them, Matt and Nina made sure the smile on Demi's face didn't fade away.  They stayed and helped Mary with the dishes, Mary looked calm, she too had a smile on her face now.

The rainbow after the storm. Good things do happen. 

It was getting dark, it was time for them to head back home. Nina hugged Demi
"I'm not going to talk to you for ages,if you don't show up tomorrow for college"

"Oh! I can't let that happen"

Nina hugged Mary, bid her goodbye and left. 

Matt slowed down his bike a few houses away from Nina's home.

"I'm pretty sure, this is not my home"

"Yes, i know that but look"  Matt points towards her home

"Police cars?"

What took them so long?

Nina's house was guarded by two police cars,the lights from the cars filled their home.  

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, Matt"

"I'm not leaving you alone like this"

"No, Matt i will be fine"

Nina got off the bike and started walking towards her home, she was scared. 

Should i tell mom? No, it should be a secret.