The Melody Of Us

21 questions

The first thing that comes to my mind the moment my eyes fly open is 'what is the time?'
I push away the cozy blanket and run a hand through my hair, looking around for a clue.
I'm sure I've been sleeping like an ogre for more than ten hours. Or maybe ten days.
My body feels so numb from all the sleeping and my first instinct is to murder my dad. How the fuck did he not wake me up on time?!
I'll get late for....

Oh, right.

There's no school to go to right now. That's exactly what he must have realized and then had allowed me to sleep some more.
Uh huh.

I take a full body stretch and kick away the blanket.
Slipping in my feet inside the slippers, I walk towards the glass doors and push away the curtains.
Sunlight sparks the room with its intensified brightness and I squint my eyes a little.
There is a knock on my door and I turn around to see who it is.

Mr. Michael opens the door and smiles at me.
Okay.
I've been too rude to him. Maybe I should just say a quick 'good morning' and then head inside the washroom?
But, somehow I can't bring myself to do that. So, I just stare at him without any expression.

"Good morning." He says and I nod in response. "Breakfast is ready. You want to eat it here or the dining table will do you good?"
"The dining table will be fine." I say, throwing my hair into a bun.
"Great. I'll see you downstairs."
"Hey? Would you mind telling me the time?"
"It's quarter to nine."
"Right. Thank you."
"Your welcome."

He closes the door behind him. I shrug and head out to rummage through my suitcase.
I pick out a red T-shirt and ripped jeans, and go in for a quick bath.
***

Shutting the bedroom door behind me, I head downstairs for breakfast. There, I find Hazel having a gala time with Myra and dad is conversing with Michael.

I look at them, dumbfounded.

Will I be the fifth wheel in this group? I narrow my eyes at them and stomp my feet, trying to gain some attention. Obviously, I fail.

I drag the chair beside dad and sit down, tying my wet hair with a scarf. Dad turns to face me and throws an arm around my shoulders.

"So, my little puppet's got her night over." He sings and I roll my eyes.
"Seriously, dad. That was the lamest joke I've ever heard." I say, grabbing a stuffed sandwich and a glass of orange juice.
"But that wasn't a joke."
"It sounded like one."
"Anyway. We've got all set for your school. It's St. Clarke's High."
"What the hell is that?!"
"The high school with the highest ranking in education and experience." Michael says and I look at him with uninterested eyes.
"What if I say I don't want to go?" I ask.
"We're not asking you. We're telling you. You'll get a tour of the school tomorrow itself and you can choose your subjects as well. Five are compulsory. Rest, you can opt as extra subjects."
"I don't get this. Why can't I just relax for one year and then complete what I left when I get back home?"
"No, honey. I'm not letting your studies get into this shit. You'll get the best sort of education and you'll love it here."
"Dad. My heart, my soul and my mind are all left behind. The only thing left of me here is my body. It won't help anyway."
"No, little nugget. But, you're going to school and you're completing your final year, here in London. No more arguments."
"I'll be alone!" I whine. "I don't want to make new friends!"
"Then don't."
"Yeah, sis. I'm going to the same school. We'll hang out together. It'll be fun." Hazel says, smiling.
"No way, kiddo. The last thing I wanna do is hang out with a fifteen-year-old."
"Liana, give it a try. You might like it here." Myra says and I ignore her as if she doesn't exist.
"So, this is it. Liana and Hazel are going to start with their studies tomorrow itself. Enjoy your last day of complete freedom." Dad says and stands up to leave for his bedroom. I throw daggers into his back and swallow all the curses that had been making their way through my mouth not seconds ago.
***