All Men Are Not The Same

Seeking The Truth- The Bitter Truth

Days flew by but the memories of that birthday 'party' did not fade away. Those words kept haunting little Maddox 'I hate the day he was born.' No matter how hard he tried to forget them, the bitter memories kept coming back at random times, pushing droplets of water out of his eyes.

It is said that time heals all wounds, but some wounds seem to deepen with time and that was the case for little Maddox. Each day of his was either spent without a glimpse of his dad as the latter would stay out all night or if he happened to come back home, he would bring along with him, his bad mood, hatred and harsh words.

Maddox could not even remember the last time he heard his father speak kindly to his mother. It seems like Mr Howard never said a word without hurting his wife and son. And he never regretted his harsh words. Neither his wife's pain nor his son's tears could move him. He was cold. He was heartless.

That night, after the birthday episode, Maddox tried asking Miranda about that bitter truth which Mr Howard was talking about.

"Mum, why was dad so angry?" Maddox kept asking persistently while Miranda was lying in Maddox's old bed, trying to put him to sleep, playing with the dark strands of hair falling over his forehead.

"Mum, why are you so silent?" He whined. "You are angry at me? I know it's all because of me and my party," he cried.

"Come on my big boy, don't cry," whispered Miranda. "You used to tell me you are grown-up now, right?"

"But mum, why was dad so angry at us?" He repeated through his tears.

"Honey, don't worry, he will calm down soon," said Miranda who was not so convinced herself.

"No mum, he will not calm down. He will wake up tomorrow morning in the same mood. He will again scold us. It's always like this mum, always!" Maddox answered, almost yelling.

"Ssshhh!" Miranda shushed him, her worry lines showing on her forehead. "Your father might hear us."

Maddox observed the fine lines which appeared on Miranda's face. Her skin began to wrinkle. She looked older than her age. Her eyes looked tired. Her hair was unkempt. She did not have enough time to take care of herself.

"Why are you so afraid of him?" Maddox asked, lowering his tone.

"I'm not afraid of him baby," she muttered. "I just don't want you to witness his anger."

"Why is dad so bad? All my classmates have loving dads, only I don't. I feel unloved. I don't know why he hates me, he hates us!" he cried again.

"Maddox, my baby, your dad doesn't hate you!" She coaxed. "He is just very tired all the time. You know he does two jobs only to be able to keep us happy. He works so hard for us. He is moody only because he is tired. He does not hate you, honey!"

"Then, why..." uttered Maddox but then he stopped, wondering whether he should complete his sentence or not.

"What honey?" asked Miranda, perplexed.

"Then, then... why did he say my birthday is a cursed day?" Maddox blurted out with a mixture of grief and anger. "Why? Why did he say he hates the day I was born?"

Miranda looked away. Her silence was the only answer she could give him. Maddox knew his mother would not tell him that truth as she would never allow anything to give the slightest pain to her son. He also felt that his questions were bringing her more pain. So, he closed his eyes slowly, pretending he fell asleep.

Since that night, Maddox did not try to get any such answers from Miranda again. He knew it was futile as she would never tell him that hurtful truth. On one hand, she would never speak bad of her husband and on the other, she would never want to hurt her son.

Maybe one day when I grow up, when I become stronger, mum will share that truth with me.

Each day, Maddox would secretly watch his mother's miserable face. Miranda was deeply grieved by the growing rift which settled down in her couple. Whenever she caught Maddox staring at her, she would just give him a smile, trying to pretend she was fine.

How can someone not love a woman like her? Maddox thought. She is the best wife and mother anyone can have.

Maddox stopped asking questions to Miranda about Mr Howard but he did not give up the idea of finding the truth - that truth which would torment him for life.