The Masquerade

Chapter 17

Derby's POV

Becky is waiting for me by the bar,he must remember my birthday and that is the reason he called me up, I am guessing he has some surprise planned. I have hardly enjoyed the limelight and celebrations anytime since my childhood but I loved it when last time Becky proposed me on this day.

"Adiva,i need to leave now.He is waiting for me" I inform her before leaving her to wait for Kevin in the mall.

I don't like socialising much except my rare few.In my high school days too,I have been exceptionally unsocialable because I like to be reserved in my bubble. Life has taught me lessons of give and take from the early childhood.

..

I spot Beck on the second table,he is dressed all casual like his usual self in red tee and blue denims.Our eyes meet when I walk to the table where he is sitting.He embraces me in a warm hug and it feels all the same.It shall be an understatement to say that I feel disappointed when Beck doesnot even wish me when he greets.

"You look fab" he winks.

"Thank you. I blush at his compliment
I hope I dint make you wait long."

"I m used to it" he sounds amusing enough.

I nudge my elbow into his arm.

"Ouch" he pretends hurt.

We order pasta and beer,chirp for a while when his phone intervenes our conversation.I suspect something fishy when he excuses himself because he never does this.I feel awfully sad and unlucky sitting alone in the middle of too many people.

He returns after a while and leaves in hurry leaving me all alone to celebrate my day.Sad, that even he doesnot remember my birthday,not even the day of our union.

This was an irony of the day, I m sitting all alone here celebrating my day in midst of numerous people.There is nobody to wish me. Its not that I want people to know or shower me with surprises but the pangs of lonliness grab me from all over.I dont want to socialise yet I want somebody today.

But I am not the one to cry when I am upset,not the type to get my heartbroken when he walks out on me.I am kinda accustomed. I order for myself a bottle of whiskey and now I gulp the hot liquid.

Four peg down,all alone at a table seeing people enjoy on the dance floor.I grab my glass in hand and try to balance myself on chair,my head is spinning and I am my real self not a puppet of my mom, enjoying my day but in the most isostatic manner.

The hot liquid burning down my throat my breath is hitched and then I faintly recall that someone strange tried to have its way with me,I recall making a scene hitting that man in public when the bartender threw me out and I am laughimg,jolly,chilled for the fact that I can breathe,breathe the air that is not ruled by my mom and her protocols.There is nobody to see me as her daughter,I am able to be myself to the lengths of the sky but clueless as to when its hampered.

I laugh like I want without pretending,laugh on my miserable self,on the dark street,lying down on the footpath then walking down the ally, stumbling on the way, manage to reach back to dorms.

~

"Noo, don't go"

"Noooo,please no stop them,pleaseees.They can't take him away."

"Mom,stop them please.They can't take him away."

I wake up with a jolt all drenched in sweat.Bad memories haunt me and the flashback hits me yet again, it has the ever same effect on me.

I look around holding my head between my hands and trying to calm my breath,Switching on my table lamp, opening a drawer, I pull out a cigrette and lighter.Carrying my feet to the window,I light the cigrette in hand.The drag tranquilizes me.

The morning sun is rising up the horizon,I feel void deep inside me.The day is fresh in my memory when they were taking my dad with them to the rehabilitation. I recall my mom always fighting with him over his drinking and gambling habits.Once,he came back all empty pockets and in half clothes after badly loosing a gambling bet and that was when mom threatened him of leaving him but he tried to pick on mom.He attempted to hit her with dining chair and she took not more than a moment to send him away wanting to avoid furthur consequences.

Dad loved me,we use to have a lot in common but mom was never with us,never really a part of family rather she kept her busy socialising with her selected social circle and never in our little happy family moments.

I shouted,cried,tried if I could stop them from taking him away. I begged of mom to stop him from going but she shut my mouth with her hand in an attempt to prevent neighbours from knowing this.I couldn't help much but cry and with time I coped up with things but this changed my life for bad,this hard memory never washed off me even though its seven years down the line,I haven't heard of my dad or anything from him since then,nor did mom tried to make an effort.

She taught me to keep shut and mask my feelings from the outside world.I fear even asking mom about it and never spoke of my dad again.

There are times when I have hated mom,my nightmares have not stopped.

I have learnt some lessons from living

"Life is the web of traps that biwitches you offering you baits.If you fall for one,  you are entangled in the never ending vicious web of threads and if you don't life will try all over again until you do."

This has made me hard as nut to others emotions and feelings,shutting my heart from love but I recall Becky was the only one who held me when i was weak on my knees,when the school  authorities suspended me for something fishy that I wasn't even involved into,more than the fear of restigation I was worried about my mom's reaction.When he managed to convince the decision in my favour.We were strangers back then.Since then I have a soft corner probably love for him,he affects me in various ways.

I call up my maid at home on the landline and she picks up at sixth bell

"Good morning,May I talk to Mrs.Mathew?" I ask.

"Sorry,She is busy at the moment.May I take her message?" The maid picks up.

"I am Dr.Catherine,could you please tell me the rehab centre's name where I have to go for check up of Mr.Mathew??"i say.

"I don't have an information regarding this call." she tells me and my face falls.

"Ok,then take it on you,because I will be leaving for Vancouver in a few hours."I come up with an idea.

"In that case it's NMRC in the downtown area"she gives up spilling and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank you" i disconnect.

My day starts with hiring the car,taking a drive to downtown,I don't want to miss an opportunity to see my dad after years.

Author's Note:

First of all,I am grateful to all of your comments and feedback(Heartily thanking you).
You bring out the best and worst in me at the same time."Can't wait to read next", "please update soon" are the words from you that motivate me.I really can't be thankful enough.
Just for an opinion,what do you think Derby has set out,will she meets her Dad or not?

And ofcourse,keep voting,voting and commenting.I love to read your views.
Thank you :))