The Beginning Of The Path

Chapter 10

     “Can you please tell me how you learn at school?” I asked. We were setting off for school the following day. That was so humiliating. This was going to be my first day. I was so excited and at the same time freaked. It has been already two weeks since Mrs. Maryse announced that I would head off to school. The time has really pressed too fast. 

     “Stop asking me this question hundreds of times. You’re going to be alright, okay? Let me remind you again. A school is a place where you learn not a prison where venomous criminals are jailed.” Angela was reading nearby me. We were both in the library. It was the only setting we could talk freely since we cannot go into each other’s bedrooms.

    “I know, but this is going to be my first time, and I don’t know anything technically.”

    “Don’t be afraid. Besides, we will be in the same class together.”

     “Are the students, you know, bad tempered? Do they make fun of new students like me?” My endeavor to speak normally was hysterical. Angela noticed my anxiety.

    “Well, um there may be a few. But don’t give it a single thought. I am here with you whatever happens.” She gave me her angel-like smile. It was relaxing. Angela and I became quick friends. As the days passed, I started to know more about Angela’s life. She told me that she spent all her life in this house bound by a set of rules. “I am pretty much used to them that they never bothered me,” she had said, nevertheless I knew the latent frank answer was different.

     “Since we have a bit of time left, why don’t we take a walk?” suggested Angela. I agreed hastily. We set off the library. The house had become familiar to me even if I was restricted to a limited number of rooms.

     The sun was on its way to set. We passed through the flowers to our secret place. The swing lied behind a big tree which prevented intruders from recognizing it. This was the most fitting entity where we were allowed to talk and do whatsoever activity without anyone observing. It held a great deal of happy memories shaded with some strip of pain and melancholy. It was strange how I sensed these utter feelings as if they spoke directly to me.

    Angela was the first to sit on the swing. “Can you push me?” she asked. I did as she obliged. She raised her hands in excitement. I noted her to be meticulous so as not to fall, but she ignored me. I sat next to her watching the blinding sun set.
  
     “Angela, would you mind if I asked you something?” I said after some minutes passed.

     “Ask. You don’t have to ask me by permission. I am not Mrs. Isabelle.”

     “I was really wondering about your father.” I stopped abruptly to see her reaction. She seemed tense at first then sighed.

    “He doesn’t often come here. He’s got work to do already. He runs several huge businesses in different countries and so doesn’t have much time to come here. Just once a year.” She looked pale while talking. I cursed myself for sticking my nose into other people’s business. 

     “I’m sorry I interfered into your family business,” I said awkwardly. 
 
     “No problem. It’s just that it’s been really a very long time since I last saw him. But I shouldn’t say that because he’s doing it all for me.” Her face looked depressed nonetheless detained a determined strength. “And you?” she added.

    “I don’t have anything to say about my father,” I said in a low voice.

     “What do you mean? Did he… abuse you or something?” She was suspended to my reply.

     “No!” I shouted instinctively, “I‘ve never known my father. My mom was my everything. She was the one who took care of me all by herself.” Pain strode in my throat. I will not be able to see her again. I remembered the way my mom described my father holding back her tears. She never told me how he died though. All I knew was that he was a loving husband and adored me so much before I was born.