Turning MOON

The sun had already hidden behind the hills and the sky was decorated by numbers of twinkling star. Small ocean waves seem like piece of silk slowly lying one upon another in the moonlight. Between this play of nature, HERE AM I. Bare footed, sitting down on my knees, looking at the moon as if trying to search something, I suddenly realize that tears had covered my eyes. But before they rolled down my cheek I wiped them away and distracted their path. I wanted to shout as loud as I could but nothing more than a lowered "NO" came out of my lips. 

Hurriedly, grabbing my sandalwhich was lying beside me and rushed away from beach. My legs were shivering but cold was not the reason. It was fear, fear of something that we generally defined from words as HOME, FAMILY AND LIFE. 

My small brain was occupied by too many unanswered questions. The vision was fading away before my eyes. I was unconscious and fell down while two men came in uniform, carried me and were taking me towards a vehicle. The last thing I could barely see before crashing out was a vision of human, probably a boy, not at a great distance. In his hands was some sort of shiny metal, shaping like an"E". That's all; I lost it in darkness....

................................................................

Sun rays passing through white curtains kissed my forehead....slowly opening eyes I happen to remember each and every incident of yesterday which ended in an "E".... I rolled my eyes and looked around, huge paintings hanging on the walls colored in white and violet..... round bed right at middle of the room where I was lying... and red fur carpet around the bed placed on shiny white marbles.... I knew the place very well , it was my room... 

I gently came out of my bed... headed straight to wardrobe and picked out a navy blue sleeveless dress reaching up to my thigh... then I went to take a shower .

I was looking at my reflection in the mirror of a huge dressing table.. I was dressed in a navy blue outfit... golden curls of my hair were playing with the wind and time and again resting on my fair face  while blue sparkling eyes of mine were lost somewhere within the depth of my own thoughts.... 

There was a knock at the door behind me and a lady dressed in black coat and skirt entered...I felt relief as I saw her....she was my grandmother... 

She came near, keeping both her hands on either of my shoulders; she smiled and whispered in my ear "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my sweet child. Everyone is waiting for you downstairs." 

Hardly smiling, I managed to return her few words back-"Thanks grandma!" 

She smiled again-"C'mon lets walk downstairs with grandma..."  

"Before all this, here it's your birthday present"-she handed me with a small wooden box. 

I opened it with no delay and saw a blue diamond (sapphire) ring and a pendant which I guess was a match to the ring  

"This is so beautiful grandma. This really is... Thank you for this" 

I wore the ring on the ring finger of my right hand and tied the pendant around my neck. We then headed downstairs...  

When I appeared at the top of the staircase all I could see was the flash light of cameras...renowned personalities of the state I lived in...reporters.... a group of wonderfully dressed but witty girls of the same age as mine, who call themselves as my friends and a man, dressed in black suit holding a glass of wine in his hand, surrounded by some sophisticated personalities of the party, was my uncle... 

I let my head down letting tears fall down my eyes -"Happy Birthday to me... to Era D' Silva, nephew of the George D' Silva, one of the reputed personality of state" I nodded. 

I noticed my grandma looking at me with a worried face and trying to ask if I am alright... 

"WHY......".I stopped. 

Immediately wiping the tears I held my head high, hanging a fake smile on my face and begun to walk each stair down one by one till I reached to the hall, bowed everyone and spoke few words which had no meanings to my heart... 

"It's my pleasure to have all of you here on my special day... Thank you everyone for being here today with me and my family..." 

Did I... I... just say FAMILY???  

A family of mine where I rarely get love and time that too when my old granny drops by my house... maybe 2 or 3 times a year....