No Limits

5.The Call

POV : Ryan

I was checking my emails on my computer when I saw one from Dales University. I opened and read it. It said they needed a poetry teacher immediately as their previous professor resigned on short notice.They wanted me for the job.

I've always wished for an offer like this. A job at one of the most esteemed University of the country. But now when I have it, my actual feelings are nothing similar to the expected ones.

I lit a cigarette and turned towards the window from which the only light is entering into my dark room. I dialed Mia's number. She picked at third ring.

"Hey! Got news for you. I'm invited for a job at Dales University. Hope it could lessen the burden on your head."

Mia was my younger sister, but her concern for me could make her seem like my elder sister. I was in between jobs after Mia's marriage two months ago and this became her major concern that how I'm going to live in a house with no work to do and no one , at all, around me.

I heard her short gasp, followed by a loud shriek.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I'm so happy for you brother. I'm just so happy. Oh, I love you. I love you the most."

Her happiness made me smile, as always.

"So no more coaxing now to get me out of my room."

She laughed.

"Yes, promise! No more coaxing. Oh gosh! I'm so relieved now."

Suddenly, her voice lowered.

"I know, Ryan. How lonely you must be feeling without me. If you haven't pushed me into this marriage this soon, I will never ever let you suffer this loneliness."

"Com'on, Mia! It's just been two months." 

"That's what I'm saying, it's been a whole two months." She raised her voice to insist upon those words.

"First thing, I don't suffer this loneliness, I'm used to it and second thing, you have to marry someday. Late or early."

"Yeah, yeah! Your usual 'used-to' lie!" She said in a mocking voice.

"BTW, I can say the same to you. You have to marry someday. Why not soon? In Fact, you remember that girl, Rita, whom we met at Jason's. She was asking about you yesterday. Can I give her your number, please?"

"No, Mia. Absolutely not. Now don't start with that. I'm going to be real busy soon. Anyways, bye now, I've to work."

"Huh, any excuse for avoiding me." She said and hung up.

I put my one hand on window ledge, leaning slightly against it with my cigarette comforting me. With the sound of rain in my ears and smoke around me, I thought about Mia. 

She had been so persistent for my marriage when I just entered my twenties. She always wanted me to be with someone, instead of living all alone by myself. I don't understand why she thinks of my loneliness as a suffering when I cleared this several times to her that I like it, I enjoy it and wanted to live as such forever.

Although, I agree that I've been feeling differently after her marriage. Lonely, to specify. I've never felt this way after Mom Dad's accident. But it's just because Mia is not here. Only she can fill this loneliness that I feel, no other person can. We have been each others' constant companions in every situation of life after Mom and Dad left us.

I remembered that day completely. Maybe a clichè line to say, but it did turn my world upside down.

I was in the senior year of my high school. I was happy that day for I was chosen as the captain of the soccer team. I just wanted to tell Mom and Dad and see their happy faces. I ran home, looked all over the place but couldn't find them. I was about to leave the house to search for them when the phone rang. I picked it and a voice told me that there had been a severe car crash. And my parents, they couldn't make it to the hospital.

I was deeply shaken. I was tormented. Every reason for me to live had just vanished. But then, Mia became my reason. The strongest reason to live for. She was my responsibility, her every little happiness was.

So I spent the rest of my life drowning myself into studies and career and it was in the course of time, that I become addicted to this loneliness. It's a part of me now and I'm happy with it.

***
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