A Splash of Color

seven [edited]

Tristan

After settling back into my childhood home, I decided to go out and get the book my mom was asking for, while also reminiscing a bit. As I was walking, a few people that my mother knew, I assume, were waving at me. I guess my mom was still known around here, even after she gave up writing professionally. 

Continuing my walk, I realized I actually didn't know where this place was. I stopped the next person I saw and asked for directions, they seemed surprised I didn't know. This must be some bookshop. Once I got closer to the building, I noticed a couple and another young woman leaving the shop, and the sign that it was closed was hung on the door. I tsked and turned around, but not before my eyes landed on the young woman again. Only a few seconds later, I felt a sharp throbbing pain in my head. I stood still and held my head, a groan making its way out. I blinked my eyes a few times and saw...color. Too shocked by what I saw I closed my eyes once more, only to open them again and the color was gone. 

All that ran through my head was, this is what my mom mentioned before. She used to tell me stories that involved someone getting those "intense headaches", as I call them now, and how they will only go away once they meet their soulmate. I didn't understand the story then, but as I got older, I couldn't believe it one bit. Like why is it so painful leading up until you meet the person you are destined to be with? 

After I calmed down, I just decided to make my way back home since it also was getting pretty late. While walking I couldn't get the girl out of my head, I barely saw her, but I had a strange feeling when I saw her before my head started to hurt. By the time I got home, standing from outside I could smell my mom's home-cooked meals. I walked in and went to greet her in the kitchen. "Hey, mom."

"Tristan! How was it?" She asked.

"How was what?" I asked, confused.

"O-oh, I mean were you able to get my book?" She stuttered a bit.

"No, it just closed by the time I got there," I answered her before leaning on the counter and grabbing an apple to snack on.

"Weird, it never closes that early."She said, sounding a bit disappointed. 

"I guess they decided to do that today, I don't have the best luck when it comes to doing things, Mom," I said playfully, though I did kind of mean every word.

"Oh, don't say that Tristan. It's only cause you haven't found your one yet." My mom said while plating the cooked food. 

"I did see a young woman and, I'm assuming, her parents leave from the shop when I got there," I mentioned.

"Oh, was it Shanti?" My mom asked.

"I'm not sure, but I have been away for a while and I don't know if she's changed or not. It was weird, though, I had this feeling when I saw her, but it's probably not that big of a deal." I explained. 

Mary

After hearing what he told me, I smiled knowingly. So, it wasn't Shanti, but her friend this whole time. "So it was her," I mumble to myself, not aware that Tristan heard me.

"It was who?" He asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. Let's eat." I said, guiding him to the table. 

Amber

Seeing my parents again was something I was not expecting, especially showing up at my job unannounced. After I handled the last customer and sent them out with a smile, I turned to my parents, who were sheepishly smiling at me. I made my way to the back and grabbed my things before heading to the door. When they didn't move, I realized that I had to talk to them. "Well, c'mon." I heaved out a sigh afterward, they both looked shocked before making their way through the door with me. I flipped the sign to 'closed' before closing the door and locking it behind me. Before we could fully walk away from the door, I felt a weird feeling, first like I was being stared at, but then it was something else. I shook it off, then walked to my apartment with my parents walking behind me. 

On the way there, I pulled out my phone and texted Shanti about my parents coming home with me. She was confused when I texted her about it, and honestly so was I. "Why did you guys come back?" I muttered, but they were both still able to hear me as they were walking so close. 

"We wanted to come and check on you to see how you were doing." My mom said, barely above a whisper.

"Oh, so it takes you seven years to come to see your daughter. The daughter that you shouldn't have left alone in the first place." I said, my voice gradually getting louder.

"Hey, let's save this talk for when we get to your place." My dad suggested while reaching to put a hand on my shoulder, which I moved away from. I could see the hurt that flashes through his eyes, but nothing could compare to the hurt they put me through. 

Once my parents and I got to my place, I opened the door and let them in. "Shanti, I'm home!" I yelled from the front door. My parents turned to look at me, confusion written on their faces. "Who's Shanti?" My mother finally asked. Before I could answer, the said girl started walking down the hall from my room. "Hello, I'm Amber's friend, Shanti." She greeted me upon reaching where my parents stood. I went to stand beside Shanti, grabbing my parents' attention. "You both can sit in the living room," I told them while pointing in the direction they should go. While they went to the living room, Shanti turned towards me, her smile slowly fading when she finally looked at me. "Are you alright?" She asked, coming closer to caress my arm.

"I don't know," I said, while starting to walk to my room, she following close behind me. "I feel angry, but I feel sad at the same time because I'm reminded of all the years they've left me alone." I finish off, plopping onto my bed, and throwing my bag off to the side. Shanti sat beside me, then pulled me into her arms. I leaned into her hold and felt my heartache from what I went through come back to me. "Amber, despite me not being a fan of your parents for leaving you, they are still your parents, so it's not like you could completely get rid of them." She said to me while brushing through my hair.

"I know that, but I don't know what to do with them here," I told her.

"The only thing you can do is listen. Just listen to what they have to say, then you can decide what you want to do. You are old enough to make these decisions yourself, and I'll always be here to support you." She said while hugging me closer to her. I stayed in her arms for a bit, before I pulled away and offered her a smile. "Thank you so much, Shanti."

"You're welcome, are you ready to go back out there?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think I am." I smiled reassuringly at her.

"Alright, well, I'll wait in here while you talk to them." She said.

"Ok, I'll be back." I stood up while she smiled at me, then I left the room and walked down the hall to the living room. Upon arriving in the living room, I noticed my parents having a conversation. I coughed lightly to get their attention and went to sit on the couch opposite them. They both adjusted their posture once I sat down in front of them, I looked up at them, and the feeling of uneasiness was felt heavily in the room. I didn't know where to start this conversation, but can you blame me for not being in contact with my parents for about 7 years? "Um, look I know you guys probably came to talk, so I'll listen," I looked to both of them to see hopeful smiles. "But it's going to be a while to decide what I want to do." Their smiles fell a bit, but I knew or hope they understood my reasoning.