Startling Starlight - Short Stories

01 | Anticipation

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"Ready?"

"Not Yet,"

"Hurry up!"

"Umm... yeah."

I hurriedly packed my bag as Dad shrieked from behind. I shuddered from head to toe with hopes of winning the Annual School Music Competition. A sudden fright of making a fool of myself at this very big event gripped me hard, I wondered what would happen since I had hardly done anything yesterday night except learning the notes. Didn't get any time to practice more.

Though I was getting really late since we had to leave our house. The very house I spent the fifteen years of my life in, the last five of which spent without any love.

The house looked impressive despite the fact that it demanded the care of a mistress.

It had been built with white pine wood and had white pine wooden intricate decorations which, were once etched by my mother, who was a wood sculptress. She died two years ago when my father whacked her head hard on a wooden table she made, primarily because they didn't get along, and secondly because I was his main problem. He was really furious since the day mother gave me birth, but my foolish eyes never recognised why.

I recognised my true value only when, when I heard him talking to Mr. Miller, our family lawyer about what should be done to me once I turned eighteen. I was of no use in making money when I was fifteen, so I could be sold to Aunt Evelyn, his wife, once I was of the desired age.

Nevertheles, my mother had bled to death in front of the eyes of her ten year old bundle of joy, screaming and begging for help when I hid myself in a corner, weeping miserably. I don't remember well how I spent the next few nights when my father was busy finding bail for himself.

He got it, anyway. He and his lawyer decided that I must be kept under wraps and should be shown to the society as a child well-beloved by his father and that the death of my Mum was just an accident. He also allowed me to attend school, and indulge myself in certain other activities like singing, which I was really passionate about. Probably, he did so to show that he loved me despite whatever happened.

—✴—

“Mr. Wilson, I assure you that Lynn will leave no stone unturned to take good care of Dani.”

“I believe you, afterall she's of no use.”

“Agreed. But Mr. Wilson, just a curious question,” he said cunningly, “Why didn't you just finish your daughter... erm... off the day Mrs. Wilson died?”

“Mr. Miller, that's a long story.” Tension lit up the atmosphere. “Maybe we can discuss it off later. Let's discuss the money meanwhile, shouldn't we?”

“Sure, why not?”

And, My future laid before me. A girl couldn't have been more terrified. But my habit of evesdropping really helped. Perhaps I could run away? I don't know.

—✴—

Small, triangular windows let in plenty of light to the house in a mostly asymmetric way. I stopped for a second to stare out of the window. It was a beautiful day, with the sun spreading it's golden yellow everywhere, melting and astonishing everything that came it's way, yet soothingly ablaze. The sky couldn't be more blue, representing mirth that may come, or may not. I could see the cherry vines not a couple of metres away, and I could also sense the anticipation of the stage, which called me to stand upon it, and sing to my heart's desire at my first stage show. Because I didn't want to miss the adventurous and happy moments of my wretched life despite my possible future.