A Twisted Tale

One Fine Morning

Meera's POV

That's it, I can't take it anymore. "Dad! I'm really hungry... Can we please please stop somewhere for lunch?"

"Sure sweetheart, we're not familiar with the places here so you'll have to be a little patient. We're nearing Canterbury. We'll grab lunch as soon as we get there" said dad.

Mum on the other hand was totally preoccupied with taking photographs. Thanks to my uncle (her brother) who gifted her with a digital camera, she was obsessed with photography. "Meera! Stop with the grimace already! I know how hard it is for you to go hungry but it's just a matter of an hour. Don't behave as though we're asking you to starve today! Now be a good girl and smile at the camera. I want you to look happy!" said mum.

None of us knew that this would be our last picture as a family.
Thankfully dad pulled up at a diner.
I couldn't wait any further. I got down the car while mum and dad were busy still talking to the driver about the itinerary.
None of us saw the speeding truck coming our way. It didn't take long to hear the crash. I heard it before I could reach the entrance to the diner.
I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I could hear people around me screaming. I knew what happened there. I knew what I lost but I couldn't say a word. And then, I blacked out.

I woke up startled at the sound of the alarm. God I hated doing this every now and then. I don't have nightmares regularly. But when I'm stressed out, I have them and they become all the more vivid. Anyway, I learnt to compartmentalize everything, so I guess I'm good to go.

I had to move my arse off the bed and get to work. I had a budget meeting this morning! Ugh! This is one of those days when I wish I had a normal schedule and didn't have to think twice before taking a day off. But we all don't always get what we want.

On that note, I answered my phone which continued to blast 'Heathens' as I kept daydreaming.

"Hey Charles, what's up?" I asked in a cheerful voice to make sure that he didn't think I was still asleep.

"Morning sweetheart, I hope you remember the budget meeting this morning. I've already told Heather to send you the schedule. She should be mailing it to you now." said Charlie.
"Yes sir, I've received the mail. I'll be there in time provided Mark is ready. He's the one who needs a head start." I said.

"Well, I know you're more than capable of waking him up and getting his feet moving. You know this is important for me. Mark will be handling the family business and he can't do it without you by his side. And that means you need to prove to everyone that you're more than ready to take up the responsibility. I'll see you at work." Said Charlie before hanging up.

Well, unlike Bilbo who accidentally awoke Smaug, I had to go and do this purposely. I totally dreaded having to do it.