Mist

THE TALK

Hazel looked at the ceiling and shut her eyes tightly ...and opened them again.

The image of those green eyes was projected wherever she looked.

Why did it have such a great impact on her ?

It was the first of her hallucinations, the vision that had opened her up to the world of strangeness. It was the first time that she realised that her life would be anything but normal.

Perhaps she had overreacted (an understatement ) because her parents would not even let her step outside the house, not even go to school.

Let's ground her. It's her fault she sees weird stuff.

Way to go, Hazel !

Hazel was bored to death. With absolutely nothing to do, she wandered around the house like a ghost.

The study was Hazel's favorite place in the house. It had a great collection of books, most of them belonging to Gran.

She often spent hours in the study, lost in her own world ...a quiet world of fantasies and relaxation.

She slowly inhaled in the aroma of burnt paper and yellowing scrolls, as she entered the room.

"Hazel ..."  a soft voice said. It was Gran Luella.

"Gran !"

"Come dear, let's sit down."

Hazel walked up to the couch  and sat down soundlessly. There was such silence. For a few minutes, she enjoyed the quiet, savouring the complete absence of sound.

"You seem to be relaxed now, Hazel." Gran said softly, " This place is somewhat magical in its own way. It soothes and pacifies me."

Hazel agreed. She looked at Gran. What a simple, gentle and smiling being she was! She was an angel. She looked it and  behaved it. But there was something mysterious about her too. Hazel always wondered whether there was a part of Gran that she wasn't aware of.

She looked into her eyes ...behind those round thick glasses, those grey eyes which were full of secrets. She knew that behind that warmth and affection was despair and pain. Behind that gentle smiling face, was a lady in deep sorrow and agony.

All of a sudden , frustration and anger gripped Hazel. Her face tightened into a scowl.

"What happened, Hazel ? Are you okay ?" Gran asked, slightly worried.

" Nothing , gran. It's just me, me that I don't understand. Everyone is fed up with me. I'm good for nothing. There is no future for me. I cannot concentrate on a single thing, I see crazy things all the time ! I'm a weirdo, that's exactly what I am ! What good am I ?"

Gran Luella sighed. "Is that what you think of yourself, dear ?"

Hazel nodded. She had not even realized that her eyes had grown moist and she was trying in vain to stop herself from breaking down.

" That simply isn't true. My child, you don't realise just how special you are, so unbelievably extraordinary."

Hazel rolled her eyes.

Yeah , that's what abnormal people were told.

" Right. Of course, I am."

She saw Gran smile. "Oh , my stupid girl ! And can you tell me why ?"

"My mind isn't stable. It can't stay at one place and  is always  galloping  to  different realms of thought."

Gran Luella came closer to Hazel ; so close that she was almost whispering in her ear.

" You say your mind can't stay at one place. How about this, then ? Your mind has the capacity to stay everywhere ?"

This confused Hazel. It irritated her immensely and giving up , the tears slowly escaped out of her eyes.

" What do you mean ? How is that even possible ?"

"Ah...truth." said Gran , as she dramatically heaved a sigh, " Truth and reality don't often walk hand in hand. For truth is what you believe to be real , it is nothing but a biased perception. Reality , is what  is !"

"What are you trying to suggest , Gran ?"  Hazel snapped ,  " How can a person's mind be at multiple places. This isn't some stupid science fiction !"

" Who said it is ? Of course, it isn't !", Gran said. Surprisingly, she looked offended.

"Then, what is it Gran ?  You know what ? I  don't understand a word of what you are saying ! If you wanted to annoy me then well , it's working . Can I please leave now?"

That was rude. Maybe a bit too much.

There was a moment's pause, after which Hazel  said, "Err...sorry, gran. I didn't didn't mean to..."

"Never mind ! Now,  where was I ? Well , yes ! You say your mind always drifts to different places. Others may call you a troubled child for this , having some serious mental disorder  but ...this is it ! This is a great ability. This  is what makes you stand out  in the crowd , so distinguishable. You don't know how much potential you have !"

"What use is it ?"

" Imagination, in my opinion is the greatest power ! It is the power of the mind. You can achieve anything with it. Feats which even science cannot achieve."

" So you think that someday I'll think of something great that will change the world ?" said Hazel, as she rolled her eyes .

Gran smirked. "Why someday? I see it in your near future. Maybe not here, but in the other world."

"The other world ?"

"Yes, Hazel."

Hazel was losing her mind. She was sure she was. "Gran, I ..."

"You look so exhausted. Maybe we should talk about this some other day , darling." said Gran.

"Gran, but ...wait."

Gran smiled. " I think we should go downstairs. You need a cup of hot chocolate."