CHANGED

“I just need the money. Give me my money or leave the house.”

“Please, sir. I’m working on it. I’ll have the rent and the interest soon. We aren't running away; just give me a few more days.”

“I’m done with the lies, lady. Boys! Clear this place out. Throw her junk on the curb. Move it!”

“Mom..! Are you okay?”

“Wait… hold on, boys. Looks like the debtor has something pretty for us.”

“Stay away from my daughter!”

“No rent, no staying away!”

“Don’t! Don’t touch me! No! Mom! Moooom!”

I bolted upright, skin slick with sweat, my lungs burning as if I’d actually been screaming. The terror was a physical weight on my chest, a ghost that refused to stay buried.

“Alice, it’s all okay baby. It was just a dream. Relax princess. There is no one, no one.”

Mom caressed me like always. This morning was just like most of my mornings, the same nightmare, the same terror and the same words of my mom. Nothing changed!!

After having a shower, while I was preparing sandwiches, my mom was delivering me lectures on ‘How to live in a college hostel’. Though I was reluctant to go to the university’s hostel since I will not be able to take care of mom like that, mom wanted me to. And winning from her was tough!

“Mom, relax. I am just going to college and not any jungle that you are so afraid of. And I, for sure, will be here every Saturday, so you stop worrying about me and start focussing on yourself. You see, if you are happy and healthy, I am already half done. Here! Have these yummy sandwiches.”

“I am gonna miss you Alice!”

“Me too mom.”

It was 10:30. I entered the hostel reception. The receptionist asked whether I wanted a single or a double room.

“Ah..can I know about the prices for each of them?”

“Of course you can. Single a 50$ and double a 20, according to the University’s new policies. Tell me what you want and hurry up. You’re already late out here.”

“I will go for the double (and save 30$).”

“Well that’s amazing. Can you see that girl?” pointing to a tall, absolutely dazzling beauty, red hairs, a beautiful butterfly tattoo at her smoothest waist, gorgeous features and the most alluring eyes, she added “She is Elsa Scott. She is going to be your new roommate.”

And I was like on CLOUD 9. I am going to share my room with such an angel. A beauty was going to live with me. I thanked god at the very moment and rushed to meet her.

“Hi, this is Alice Green. The receptionist told me that you and I are sort of roommates now.”

“Oh hi sweetie, It’s me Elsa, Elsa Scott, pleasure meeting you.”

Her glossy lips were remarkable. I couldn’t take my eyes away from her.

“Hey, Miss Green? All okay?’

“Yeah yeah, all good. You are beautiful Elsa.”

“Aww, thanks sweetie. I hear it every day haha and it feels good to listen to it, right?”

She winked playfully and I smiled

“Absolutely.”

“Go keep the things there in the room then.”

“Oh yeah, catch up with you later.”

I remained busy shifting things and arranging stuff that day. Tired, I slept early. The next day, when I woke up, I saw Elsa getting ready. It was clear that she was phenomenally rich and blessed. Her closet, the pearls shining there on her desk, the diaries she owned were clearly telling the success story of her ancestors. I was perplexed as to why she chose a double room instead of some royal single room. It seemed like her father could buy her the entire hostel. Out of curiosity, I jumped in,

“Hey Elsa, can I ask you something?”

“Oh! You woke up? Good morning sweetie. Slept well?”

“Oh yeah. Good morning. Yes I was kinda tired so it was a sound sleep.”

“Oh that’s good. Go on for the question then. What do you wanna know sweetie?”

She was so modest and humble. I was completely flattered. I asked her why she chose a double room instead of one and she said that she does have one single room as well but it was her wish to have a double room too as she likes to make friends, so unlike me. I used to ask her frequent questions because of which she started calling me “Miss Gun”, shooting questions on her. Everything was going smoothly in college. I was happy how the crowd of the college made me unnoticed. Mom used to call me every now and then. I reminded her of her medicines and she, about the rules I must follow while living away from her. With all the pleasures of college, I was constantly worried about the expenses. And soon, I got the solution to my problem…

I was sipping coffee at the cafeteria when she arrived.

“Hey Miss Gun, what’s up?”

“Can you please stop calling me that! Elsa.”

“Calling you what? Miss Gun?? Why not? Don’t you like that?”

“I hate that.”

“Okay, then I will keep calling you that, Miss Gun!”

“You bitch!”

“You gun.”

While we were carrying out our laughter and talks, my phone beeped. It was our neighbor’s son.

“Hey buddy, how’s you?”

“I am fine but looks like your mom is in trouble..”

“What!!! What’s going on? Speak Julio!!” I got tense.

“There are some people and your mom. I think you should come here Alice.”

I was frozen. What people? And what the hell are they doing with my mom? Is she safe? Elsa got worried seeing the change in my expressions.

“What happened Alice?? Is everything just fine?”

“No! it ain’t. It was my neighbor and he was telling me something is wrong there at my place. I have to leave.”

“I am coming with you. Let’s go in my car.”

All over our way, I was calling mom but she was not picking. My heart was aching as I was not ready to see any more tragedies.

As we reached there, I saw my mom arguing with two men, tall and muscular. Again, they needed their money, again mom was assuring them she would arrange the amount and again I was hearing it all, helpless, not knowing what to do when I heard a familiar voice..

“What cost does she have to pay you?”

“It’s none of your business girl.”

“Just tell me,” Elsa said in a loud, confident voice. “For what little amount are you robbing the peace of a lady? Just tell me the price.”

“So you want to know the price. It’s 1000 dollars. But all we get every time are the fake assurances from her side. Nothing else.”

“Okay!” She took the amount out of her diamond studded purse and threw it on their mouths straightaway. “Here you have it and now, piss off!”

“What did you just do Elsa?”

“And why?” mom added.

“Paid a meagre amount to my friend’s peace busters.”

“But why, you need not to interfere here in my family matters.”

“Alice, you are my best friend. I am just trying to help you out.”

“But I can’t take this much amount from you. And how much will you pay huh? There are a lot of bills pending and a lot of lenders still yelling at us for the amount. I can’t beg it from you.”

“Alice, I understand! You are a girl of principles but for how much time will you keep running from those people? You think your mom will pay all the bills right? Why don’t you help her then?”

“Help her! How can I? I am not as literate as I am, holding a degree that anyone will hire me as even an intern. I want to help her but how?”

“It’s so easy. Come to my Dad’s restaurant then. Work as a part time manager if you have no problems. We are already in need of a dutiful manager for one of our restaurants. And when you get enough money, give me back my 1000 dollars as well. What’s to say?”

Before I could say anything mom came up. “My Alice doesn’t need to work now. I can manage the expenses. She needs to focus only on her studies. Don’t confuse my daughter, you girl. Here, keep these 500 dollars and the rest I will give you shortly.”

“Mom, stop it! Don’t talk to her like that. She is just trying to help us out.”

“And she does not have the habit of listening to bad words from anyone but since you are Alice’s mom, I bear it from you.” Elsa said in a really soft voice but I was able to feel the anger that must be ragging inside her.

“Elsa, I am really sorry. She just..”

“I understand. You don’t need to explain, Alice. Take your time and think about what I said. See you soon. Bye!”

Elsa came to this world as my savior. I was so much in love with her as much as I was with her idea. That way, I can solve all the problems in one go. Now, it was time for a tough job, convincing mom for the job. It took me 3 hours along with some sandwiches and emotional blackmailing to make mom allow me to do that job, but I did it. It was a real victory. I was so relieved for a moment. Being the manager of a five star hotel, that meant a really good salary, even for part time. I decided to stay with mom that night. We talked about my childhood, about how our life was so different when Dad was here, how he used to buy me ice creams every Sunday and how I used to sit on his shoulders.

Mom told me how he combed my hair into a neat pony better than her and how he used to cook on Christmas Eve. After dad left us, nothing was normal. I was 3 when a car crashed into him. Mom had to find a job, handle her and me both. Since Dad passed away, we never had ice cream there in our refrigerator. There is no Christmas Eve celebration, just nightmares and landlords and my mom’s constant efforts. That night I slept in mom’s arms, laughing, crying, hugging. Peaceful!