Chapter-1
"Hearing both the parties" said judge Ruddy "both the parties will share the custody of their five year old daughter, jointly without any harm and ill will" with that my fate was sealed all those years back. Now I had two homes to go to every weekend with dad, holidays to rotate or whoever can fit me in their schedule , whose turn will come for summer or Christmas, all was planned; that actually might seem fun but, is it really? Everything was planned for me without actually considering what I want, lasting just a few months or maybe a year. Then little six years old was last on their mind, set on back pedestal, hindrance they now count.
My future was sealed with a stamp of court's approval.
But, why do I think this so suddenly?
Out of blue; it just triggered the memories you want to suppress or maybe it happened because it's graduation day.
Graduation day
A big day in every teen's life, a big formal step into the future; in adult life all alone, an adventure to happen, a lot to discover and achieve such a thrill, isn't it.
Families seated in the hall, students mingling with their friends; pictures are taken, parents beaming with pride their kid's final high school graduation or going to be in a few minutes when the official ceremony will start. Soon teachers ushered kids into their seats, the hall was jammed packed and I was too ushered by teachers in front, as I was one of the honourable students, who apparently was going to be seated on stage with the other honourable students, a way to discriminate us from our peers.
Hierarchy as it's best.
Few hours later, all the speeches are made and diplomas are distributed to the students, who all their teen life worked for it, at least few of them take it more seriously than others. Well they have memories which she didn't; stories to pass onto their children and grandchildren in future. What did She have? A diploma with lots of trauma. OH! joy of juggling your life in two homes.
When the ceremony was over, which took an eternity, families embraced their kids; tears of joy spilled their eyes, friends tackling each other in joy, pictures being taken, memories being cherished. All the happy faces, and proud smiles of parents ignited the little spark of jealousy, pity in her because, like always, there is no one for her to embrace, to share this milestone with her or snap a few pictures or just be there for her. Not that she expects any of that to happen yet you still question Why? Even though you are very well aware; you are just a reminder of the past that neither of them wanted part in.
Issa is quietly seated in the corner where no one will pay attention to her, quietly observing the smiles, tears, just pure joy of achieving something, on her peers and their families' faces. But, soon someone tapped on her shoulder, startling her from her day dreaming, turning she is greeted by Quinine Ron, this year valedictorian; beaming at her.
"Hi" Issa muttered quietly
"Hi" Quinine replied and took seat beside her on bench
"you wanted something" Issa asked
"just wanted to say thank you" Quinine replied
"Thank you, for what?" Issa asked confused
"for letting me have the valedictorian speech" Quinine "even though you don't have to do that, so that's why; thank you"
Issa just smiled at her "it's fine, no need to thank me. You have someone to cheer for you and root for that speech and by the way, the speech was magnificent, and I don't think I could do any better than what you did. So don't need to thank me, it's all good."
"But, still thank you" Quinine said and got up "well good luck for the future and now I need to head back otherwise they gonna send the search party for me."
"yeah sure" Issa replied quickly, adding "good luck to you too." After we parted ways, she went back to her parents and I started my trek toward the parking lot to finally go home, more likely the place I have been living for the past thirteen or so years now.
Just an accommodation.
"Issa" someone called my name from behind making me stop in mid step and to turn around and see, Miss Amber is one who called me.
"Miss Amber" Issa asked
"Issa" Miss Amber said again this time closer to me "Are you leaving already?"
"yeah" Issa muttered "Did you need something?"
"Oh no" Miss Amber said "I just wanted to see my favourite student one last time, is that a crime Miss Robert" teasing her a little.
Issa finally cracked a smile, so genuine this time "no of course not well this is goodbye then"
Miss Amber face became serious for mini second "they didn't showed up"
Issa just shrugged her shoulders, and smiled "nothing new there" and added after a pause "well I see you when I see you, I guess."
"Yeah" Miss Amber replied and embraced Issa in a tight hug and soon , Issa found herself in her car and driving aimlessly on roads, not wanting to go back just yet.
Issa found herself in a park on a swing set, still in her graduation dress, not that it was new, because it was not, no need to waste money when no one is going to be there for you. She didn't even pay much heed to time, it's not like someone is going to be waiting for her, she didn't even get up when rain started to pour, hiding her tears from cloudy night, silently she poured all the pain, and anguish; she held on for so long.
Swinging away in the park
