Hey Guys,
I know I know, I'm bad. I shouldn't start another story while I have one going on, but I couldn't help it. I hope you guys like this story, because the main character by personality and by culture, is just like me.
The rest of the rules are just as simple: Read, Vote, and Comment! I would love to know your feedback.
Thanks =)
Author's note: The names are Indian, so the pronunciations are as follow:
Tamanna (TUH-MUhN-NHA) Her nickname: Tammu (TUH-MOOH)
Anu (Just sounds the way it is: AHNNU)
Vishwanath (VEESHVA-NAATH)
Eesha (EY-SHAA)
**Didi is just a respectful term for older sister.
** Raj is the main character and her family's last name.
The Adoptee
Chapter 1:
The leaves were blowing gently in swirls as the sun was setting. It was yet the end to another perfect day. I slowly took in a breath of cool air, watching the sunset. The once majestic ball of gold fire was now nothing but mere streaks of orange dimming down. Watching a sunset was something that I could never become bored of; it was truly beautiful and breathtaking. It had the power to take all of my attention away and transfer me into a world of natural beauty. My phone vibrated in my pocket, snapping me back into reality. I looked at the caller ID and sighed in irritation. It was my mother calling. I pressed the talk button and brought the phone closer to my ear.
"TAMANNA RAJ! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN! I'VE BEEN WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" she screamed. I cringed at the noise level and immediately jerked the phone away from my ears and let her scream on, until it became soft rambles to ultimate silence. Bringing the phone closer to my ears I finally spoke.
"Are you done now? Or do you still want to scream? Relax mom, I have just got out of dance practice. I just stopped by the garden to look at the sunset. I'm on my way home now. Is there anything else you wish to interrogate me about?"
She let out a huge breath and then spoke, " I wish you would tell me what you do, where you go, so I wouldn't be worried so much about you." I rolled my eyes at this. I always told her where I went, and when I would come back. My mother was so overprotective, just like my father. Both of them would keep their eyes on the clock, and if, god forbid, it went past seven thirty in the evening and I hadn't gotten home, I was sure to be guaranteed a call from home, and promised a lecture for later on.
"Relax mom, it's only 7:35. Will you please let me enjoy this beautiful scenery in peace? You know how I like autumn sunsets they inspire me to paint. If I don't get my paintings done, we won't have enough money in our savings to go for Didi's wedding this year."
My mom sighed once more, and I smiled, knowing that she had admitted her defeat. "Alright now, don't take too long, and make sure you're home no later than 8."
"Okay mom, I will see you later. Bye."
"Bye Tammu, I love you."
"Love you too." With that, I hung up and turned my gaze back towards the sunset. It was dimming away very slowly, turning the beautiful streaks of orange into luscious pink. The pink was fading away to purple, which eventually became blue, signaling that night had taken over. I closed my eyes, memorizing every detail of the scenery before me and smiled. It was beautiful. I pulled out my cell phone to look at the time. 7:45PM. Great, I would have to jog my way back home now, or else I would not be able to make it in by 8, and my parents would give me another lecture on being punctual on time, just another excuse for them to attempt hiding the fact that they are overprotective of me. I broke out into a swift jog, my head swirling with random thoughts.
A lot of my friends always thought that my parents were ridiculous. I had so many rules and regulations that I had to follow. My friends were very shocked at me, for not being so rebellious and fighting for things. I would just smile at them and tell them, "If I have never indulged in other things, then why would I desire to indulge in them now?" I would never give my parents a reason to feel worried about me, nor will I ever take any action to bring shame upon their honor. It was like my father told me, I was his honor, and if I disgraced myself by keeping bad company, then I would in turn disgrace him. In following his rule, I was only left with a handful of friends, while the rest of the society shunned me. I never went to parties, never drank, and never hung out with boys. My parents were completely traditional, and I did not mind that, as long as I was allowed to dance and paint.
I was an Indian classical dancer, and had taken classes when I was young. After doing my first public performance at the age of 18, I gave up taking dance classes and started teaching my own. That was my first source of income for my family. Secondly, my passion was to paint, which I did with a lot of enthusiasm. I had my own collection of paintings, which my father's boss Mr. Maxwell had seen when he had come over for dinner one night. He was so pleased with the paintings that he asked to purchase them. My father, being kind, offered it to him for free, and in return he made me a deal. He would let me conduct my dance classes in the studio adjoining his house and would help me find dealers to sell my paintings to. I was so ecstatic that I had agreed to his deal, and for the past month, I had been teaching dance classes to girls' aged 16-20 in his studio. He was also kind enough to have mirrors put all over the wall, so it would be easier for me to teach. I was grateful for his help, and it is because of him I was able to save aside $3000 for my sister's wedding. My parents were grateful for me working, because we were a low class family. My parents barely made enough by themselves, and with me working; it was just enough to run the house. Mr. Maxwell was kind enough to help my father pay the tuition fee for Eesha's schooling, while I got a full scholarship for college. I don't know why Mr. Maxwell had such a soft spot for my family in his heart; my father was only his driver. It was not as if my father had a big position in Mr. Maxwell's company or something. Yet Mr. Maxwell was always so kind towards us, and I was grateful for that, because God knew, that we could use all the help we could ever have.
I stopped jogging as I arrived at the entrance for the studio. I tightened the straps of my book bag to keep it from falling of my shoulders. The ankle bells jingled in my book as I was adjusting the straps. Finally when I felt my bag flat against my back, I let go of the straps in satisfaction. I decided to use a shortcut and go around the studio to the front of the house. The studio was joined to the Mr. Maxwell's house, and I always went through the house and exited through the front door. Mr. Maxwell's house was a great mansion. I envied him for all of this, and decided that one day in the near future, I would buy this mansion from him and I would make it my own. I broke off into my jog again, making various lefts and rights. I stopped to catch my breath and a sound of glass shattering caught my attention. I paused and looked around, attempting to find the source of the sound. When I looked up, I saw two men holding a struggling man back while Mr. Maxwell was sitting in his chair casually smoking.
My jaw dropped in awe as I stared at the spectacle above me. I had never seen Mr. Maxwell smoke before, and I had never seen him with such an evil and hungry look to his eyes. He always looked so calm, generous, and caring. Mr. Maxwell took the tip of the cigarette out of his mouth and exhaled puffs of smoke, which casually twirled around the room. He slowly got up and walked over to the struggling man. The man said something and spit on Mr. Maxwell's face, who smiled at him and removed the spit with a handkerchief. I stared in shock as Mr. Maxwell pulled out a gun from his coat pocket. Bringing it to the man's forehead, he said something that caused the man to shudder. And pulled the trigger. A scream escaped my mouth as I saw blood gushing from the man's forehead as his body fell limp on the floor. My hand immediately went to my mouth as I just realized what I had done. Three heads snapped in my direction and all of their eyes bore into mine. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I felt this fear pounding through my heart. My blood started rushing inside my system and my throat became dry, as if I had been parched for ages. Mr. Maxwell snapped something to the two men who ran out of the room. My brain screamed at me to run, and my legs obeyed the command. I ran like my life depended on it, because ironically, at the moment, it did. I grabbed the ankle bells and threw them out on the bushes. They would only slow me down, and would make it easier for the other two men to find me. I ran furiously until the once familiar view of the small white wooden gates came into my periphery.
Realization dawned upon me as I stood panting outside my house. My father's boss was a murderer, and I had seen him do it. God help me, because he knew. He knew.
