A Twisted Tale

A Walk Down the Memory Lane

Mark's POV

Meera. I can clearly hear her yelling from the other side of the door. Damn that woman. She knows that I came home late last night.
Wow. Absolute silence. Can't believe she gave up so quickly. Anyway, I can sleep for a little longer. With that thought I closed my eyes. And then all of a sudden I felt the cool water land on my head. "What the hell Meera?" I asked out of anger and mostly shock.
It took a solid thirty minutes for us to get ready.
Sometimes I feel like we're a married couple because of all the bickering, understanding and most of all living and sleeping together.
I still remember our first encounter very clearly. Mum was worried about dad not getting back home until midnight. He was a workaholic, yes, but he wasn't the kind to sacrifice his sleep. He still believes that sleep is precious and it keeps a person healthy. Mum kept trying to reach him but the call wasn't connecting. After nearly two hours of wait we heard the door open. Dad walked in with blood on his clothes. Mum, and I rushed towards him to make sure he was alright. We were so focused on him that we didn't see the girl who followed in behind him.
"Don't you dare do that again Mister! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Said mum. Before she could continue chiding him I interrupted her and asked him "Who's that behind you?".
Dad immediately looked at her and said " This is Meera. She's staying with us for a few days until I can think of a more permanent arrangement for her."
I took a close look at her. She looked like she was fifteen which was around the same age as my sister Claire. She wore clothes which were dirty and torn at places. I looked into her eyes. I don't know what she saw in mine but her eyes were the most expressive pair I've ever seen. I could clearly see that she was scared and lost. That awoke a strong sense of responsibility within me and I made a vow that I would protect this girl even if it killed me.
Everyone at home took to her pretty quickly. Dad too didn't ever raise the topic of sending her away.
It's been ten years since that incident. She's been with us ever since. Mum suggested that we adopt Meera but dad was against it. He said he didn't feel right about the adoption. Claire backed mum up by saying she would love to have a sister.
Thank God for his sixth sense.