Broken Strings

Pray

SWECHA POV

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I fumbled with my bed sheet which is wrapped around me like a snake. I picked up the phone from the bedside table and looked at the caller ID.

Dad.

I sat up and cleared my throat. I picked it up.

"Hello?" I said hesitantly.

"I thought you would be sleeping. I just wanted to leave a voice mail." He said.

I sighed.

"Well, you can say that directly to me now," I said in a monotone.

"How are you?" He asked and I was taken aback.

"Have you been drinking, dad?" I asked. I couldn't stop myself.

The only time he would ever talk to me like this only when he is intoxicated. There was a moment of silence. And then-

"I don't hate you, Swecha. I hope you know that." He said and I sighed.

"I know. But close enough." I said my voice small.

I could hear his heavy sigh and he cut the call.

In moments like these, I question everything that happened until now. Why do we have to go through these things even though we know we don't truly hate each other. We know we can't ever hate each other, no matter what.

No matter how much I hurt him,  no matter what we have to go through, no matter how much he had to lose because of me and no matter how much I lost in these years, at the end of the day, he would always be my father and I would always be his blood. That is something no one can change.  A fact that proves we always love each other at the end of the day. A bond that cannot be said out loud but can never be forgotten. A childhood that was happy with the memories of those two people who were happy with my existence. A day when one of them had to die because of my presence. Because I am a bastard. Someone who is not supposed to be there at all. Someone who ruined a household of happiness and brought death with her birth.

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

I couldn't sleep as expected that night and decided to clean up the place. By the time the maid arrived there were hardly any chores left to do. She looked startled to see me awake as she spent most of the morning yesterday dragging my ass off the bed and pushing into the washroom to have a bath. I smiled at her as she came in.

"Did you have a nightmare or something? Why aren't you sleeping?" She asked making her way to the kitchen. I shrugged.

"Eggs and bacon?" She asked. I shrugged again.

"I will go to have a bath. Can you...?"

"I will pick out something for you." She said smiling. I gave a weak smile and headed out to shower.

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

Maanav was reading something in the book store when I arrived and had to call him twice before he responded.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to start without you." He said motioning to the book. I smiled

"How was is it so far?" I asked.

"Good if you like love-hate stories. But the writing is good, though the plot is a little weak." 

He said placing the book back on the shelf.