Strings Attached

~Chapter 5~

Raafiah has tried and failed. Even Abba has tried and failed. She doesn't want to have anything to do with me. And now, I feel like I don't want to go. One word from her will stop me from taking even a step further in that direction. The only trouble is... she doesn't speak a thing to me. She has let me go, in her own silent way. And if there's anything more painful than that, I know it not.

July has come and I've only got fifteen days to stay in my country. By the middle of this month, I'd be gone for a good, long time. People are coming and going, congratulating me and my family, but to me, it doesn't seem like that big of an accomplishment. Everything is set and in order. I've got all of my documents, my passport, my school admission letter, my book-list, my clothes and anything and everything under the sun that belongs to me, ready and packed!

The only thing I'm leaving behind is my sitar. You might be surprised, but that's how it is. When dad agreed to let me go, mum put forward a condition of her own. And that was to leave that 'ghastly instrument' behind, as she put it. Needless to say, I had to give in. And I've been spending most of my melancholy days with my precious darling cradled in my arms ever since.

There's been quite a lull around the house lately. The three musketeers, that is, me, Raf and Sammy have not been up to any mischief worth the name. It seems as if all of a sudden, we've grown up. I don't like it. And it's all my fault. I am the cause of the unhappiness around me. I shouldn't have pressed the matter so much.

I shouldn't have let Dadi intervene. She is quite a hurricane, to speak the truth. If she wants something done, she'll have it done! No matter what. And since I'm the last of her grandchildren, she dotes on me more than I deserve. Other than my sis and my bestie, my Dadi is my best friend and confidante. When I told her about my parents not letting me go, she was furious. She even twisted my dad's ears for being so difficult, and then ordered him to sign wherever his signatures were required under her watchful eye. She is so amazing and cool; I can even share all my guy problems with her!

______

I am packing the last of my things into a large carry bag for immediate use when I get there. I can't help playing scenes of my life in front of my eyes like some old movie. All kinds of memories are flooding my mind; sad, happy and funny. Most of them are connected with either mom or my two besties. I mostly remember the fun parts, because the three of us haven't done anything much except lounging around and spreading mischief all these years. Like the time we broke a neighbour's window while playing cricket.

Or the time when we stuck chewing gums on everyone's chairs before they sat down to eat dinner! Ah, they were lovely days. The list is so long I could go on and on all day.

A knock brings me out of my reverie. "Yeah, come on in," I tell them. My sister enters and is shocked to see that I'm still at the task I began three hours ago. "What have you been doing? God, Hadi! You should've been done by now!" "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry." For some reason, I divulge into apologising profusely. "What are you being sorry for? Just hurry up, lazy bone!"

"I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance to you people," I tell her. "And how exactly are you a nuisance?" she asks me. "Nobody's happy that I'll be going away. Mom doesn't speak to me, apart from what's necessary. Abba always seems sentimental." By the time I've pointed out all the negativities of my leaving, my voice is hoarse and I've tears in my eyes. Raafiah kneels down in front of me where I'm sitting on our bed, and takes my hands in hers.