As long As You Live

Three Years Later...

I sat in behind the desk, with a huge pile of books to sign, and a whole lot of eager faces, waiting to drown me with questions. I patiently waited for my host to finish her long boring speech. I was just 17, after all. Everything that happened in the past three years was still very heavy for me to take. So much gain, so much loss to balance it, and the most important, answers to a few professional questions, and many personal. I was deep into day dreaming, when the host suddenly announced "Now the reporters are free to pose questions to our guest,  Ms. Gunasekar." 

"How long did it take to find out the truth?"

"How did you feel when you found out you had made the most important discovery of this century?"

"How do you feel to be the youngest archaeologist who has been honored by the President of our country?"

"You are the youngest person to be offered placement at the the National Institution Of Archaeology , Delhi. What are your views about it?"

The questions felt like gibberish to me. i couldn't concentrate on any of the questions, nor did I bother to answer.

After like 10 questions, i couldn't take it anymore. So I simply raised my hand, which immediately muted the commotion.I didn't mind being rude. I just blurted out a few words into the mike."I am very proud to be honored by the President. I did work with a lot of determination and patience, but everything would have been futile if it weren't for my mother, Ms Madhumitha. Thank you mom, for being with me, through everything." I looked up. This probably led to a conclusion that I was confirming the fact that my mom was dead. But she was just a bit more than dead.

My eyes welled up. I rose and walked down the stage, and made a beeline to the restroom. I splashed water onto my face, and stared at my reflection. Only if all this never happened. Only if she never came that day. Only if...

<<<Rewind 3years <<<