Chapter 1
✽✽✽
My Mother once asked me a question, “Calista dear, tell me which is more beautiful? The stars or the Moon?“. I rubbed my eyes and told her “The stars! They shine bright”. My mother chuckled and replied, “but dear, the moon is so large, and admirable” ... No ma! The moon has black spots on it, but stars shine so... so brightly.
“That’s true but dear, it is not the moon’s fault, is it? What if the moon was once injured and never got to be as beautiful as the star? Isn’t the moon brave?”
“Ma! You are right! I didn’t think of that. Then I love the moon, it is strong and is not afraid of anyone. I will be a moon!”
“Of course, dear, you are the most beautiful, as pretty as a picture. You are the moon of my eyes...”
Mother! Mother! wake up! Mother is not waking up... Call the ambulance. Please somebody help me, she-she is not responding to me. Mother!!!
She was wrong! Mother you were wrong, the moon is not beautiful. Everyone loves the stars, the stars which shine brightly. The stars which are pristine. No mother, even after being injured, the moon is not admired as much as stars. Not all scars are discerned...
Mother, you never told me the price of bravery on the moon. You-you never told me what the moon would do if it was seen as a terrifying object.
Mother, I don’t want to be your moon!
✽✽✽
Elias
“Is it all Mr. Victor? Or shall I move a few more boxes in the storeroom?”Today is the 30th anniversary of ′The Home Again café’. This café was established 10 years before my birth.
“Mr. Victor, I was wondering, how old you might be?” I asked.
Mr. Victor proudly answered, “I am younger than I look. I will be 75 this year!”“75? And here I thought you were no day older than 25. I think I am wrong then.”Mr. Victor sighed deeply and said—
“Boy! Buttering me will do no good to you, you would rather get ready to welcome all my guests. If you mess it up, I won’t allow you to have another cake from here”.Okay, okay I get it, I was just happy to see you robust and full of vigor even in this age. Anyway, I have something for you, I brought you a present.
He blinked in surprise, “A present? For this old man?”Yes, of course! For you. I made a painting and I really hope you like it! It’s nothing much but–
Oh my God, show me now. I always wanted to have one of your exquisite paintings.
I showed my painting to Mr. Victor, he enthusiastically told me, “Elias, why don’t you try to sell your beautiful paintings to people? I am sure others will love it!”Sell it? I have never thought of giving away my paintings before because to me every art I work on is like a small plant which I have seen budding slowly and gently. I eventually grow fond of its process and selfishly wish to keep all of it to myself. But painting is just a minor avocation which helps me to relief my stress. Being an history student, I rarely have time for myself, swamped with studies I almost have no time to paint.
“I will consider your suggestion Mr. Victor...” I spoke.“That’s it, I will hang this masterpiece on the wall of my café, I am sure people will like it”.
Thank you sir!
Of course, do not mention it!
Amidst the rush hour, I finally managed to sit quietly and take a breather in my favorite spot of the café. I have now turned it into my personal space. It is a secluded area a little away from the main kitchen with a small window on the wall. The bloom of magnificent magnolia tree is into its apex because of the spring. The scent of freshly baked bread, butter melting in air brings out a lingering feeling of youthfulness.
I was getting drowsy suddenly I heard Mr. Victor calling out for me... “Elias! Elias! Come here I have someone for you to meet!“.
“Coming!” I shouted back
“This is Elara, she has come to have some of my apple pie, but I am afraid you have to attend her. I have got a call from hospital, apparently my friend of a long time is hospitalized, I am afraid you have to watch over the shop and take care of this little girl her.”
Oh! Mr. Victor, please hurry and don’t worry, I will take care here.
“Thank you a lot, dear. Free chocolate cupcakes for you when I am back...”
Great!
Ok then let’s see who we have here, hello you can call me Elias. Elara how old are you?“I am 6 years old. Now, can I sit here?” she asked timidly.
Of course, why not! Well, I will bring an apple pie for you, wait here.
Ok...
“So, tell me, have you come alone?” I asked hoping she could open up a little.“No, my father dropped me here and told me to stay with Grandpa Victor, but he left me here.” she said displeased.
Oh no worries, he will be back soon.
Elias, have you come here to have some apple pie too?
No, I am working here today since Grandpa Victor was busy and helping others is a good deed, isn’t it?
“Yes! Elias is a good boy.” she said softly.
Aw! Thank you kiddo.
After almost 30 minutes, Mr. Victor came back in a dejected mood, and it was not noticeable that something bad might have happened. In low spirit he announced, “Elara, get ready I will reach you home.”Mr. Victor, you don’t look quite well. I think you should rest a bit, let me drop her. Where does she live?
Yes, you are right, I lost my precious friend today. He was suffering from a heart problem for quite a long time now. It will be of great help if you escort her to her house. She lives in 34th Netaji Street, house number 23. It is not very far from here, walk there and do not let go of her hand.
“Okay Mr. Victor. So, Elara, shall we?” I asked, offering my hands.
Yes!
I don’t have any younger siblings and watching Elara’s playful and innocent character brings naturally a smile to my face.
“Say Elara, do you come here very often?” I asked.
No! I come here once a week. My sister doesn’t allow me to go out too much.
So, she is strict?No! She is very good; she cares for me and buys chocolates for me.
“Oh, I was not criticizing your sister. I said hurriedly, “You love your sister then?“Yes, very much!” she said, a smile tugging her mouth.
When her house came into view, she started to half-run and half-jump. It seemed like she was excited for some reason though kids her age are so temperamental and tough to figure out.
Okay Elara we are here, time to say goodbye now! I had so much fun with you. Let’s meet again sometime now and go inside quickly. Your sister might be waiting for your return.
“Elias, that painting...” She stopped me. “Can you make me one too?”
Painting? Oh, you mean the one which was hanging in the café? Sure, why not. Tell me what should I draw for you? A flower? Or your favorite animal?
She hesitantly held my hand and gently pulled me to her level saying, “give me your ear, it’s a secret.” I nodded and then she murmured in my ears, “My mother...″
Your mother?
Yes, I don’t have any picture of her. My sister doesn’t allow me to see her picture and always scolds me when I ask her to show mother’s picture.
I did not know how I should respond to her because I was sure that her sister might have a good cause behind not showing her any picture of her mother. So, I cautiously chose my words and said at last,“Look Elara, I don’t know how your mother looks so I won’t be able to paint her unless I know more about her.”
“But I don’t know what she looks like. My sister said that she was like an angel but how do angels look?” she said nervously.
Ok then how about we do one thing, bring your sister to that café and then I can talk to her and know more about your mother! Can we do that? I am sure she knows your mother.
Yes! I will tell her to come with me next time, then you can make a painting.
Yes, correct!
Thank you El!
El?! Oh right, good day Elara.
What an exuberant child! I shall say her sister didn’t say anything disgraceful about their mother in front of the child. An angel? I have to look into what it looks like.
✽✽✽
Calista
“You are back? Ela! Did you have a good day today?” I asked folding the clothes.
Yes sister, today Victor grandpa was very sad, but the apple pie he made was delicious!
Oh really, that’s good. Freshen up fast then you can watch television.
Yay! I will go and wash myself.
Sure.
I barely realized how this kid grew up so fast, it was only five years ago when I was left all alone in the world with a one-year-old child cradled in my arms. Society talked about us, they said how cursed my family was to lose our mother so soon, they enquired— “look how their family fell apart, I knew it from before only their whole family is damned from the very start... One kid of twelve and another of not even one yet, their father will remarry now and torment the kids...Poor kids!”
I am quite habituated with listening to others taunting us but as long as my sister is safe, I have nothing else to heed upon.
“Sister, will you give me a mirror for my birthday? All my friends wear makeup, and they say they look most beautiful in front of the mirror— ”
Elara! I have already told you mirrors will not make their place in our house. Ask for something else, do you want a dress? Or books? Anything but a mirror.
The moment I realized how I raised my voice on Ela; she started to whimper bitterly. Holding my hand, she hugged me, “Sorry sister! I don’t want to hurt you. I know how much you hate to look at yourself in the mirror. Forgive me sister, I will never talk about mirrors. You can give me anything you want but please don’t be angry.”
My heart shattered after listening to a small child asking for forgiveness from me even though it was not her fault.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”
“Of course, you, my queen!”
But sister, the mirror is lying, the queen is ugly, she is not good.
No El, the mirror never lies, he only reflects the truth even if it is bitter.
So, sister then what about snow white?
The queen was alluring before snow white came to her land, seeing her gentle and pure heart, the queen got jealous and began to think that she was less charming than snow white, but that was not true...Everybody is beautiful in their own ways, it only depends on how you see it.
“But sister, you don’t like your face, you say it is hideous and scary looking. You are my snow white, but why do you say you are the queen? Your burn marks on your face are not scary...” Ela! Not everyone can be as strong as snow white and as cruel as the queen. I don’t want others to see my burn marks and comment on them, so I am fine.
If you say sister...
Little did Ela know how cruel the world outside is. When I used to go out, people would give scornful looks to me, kids were scared of me, and adults would give me that pitiful look to me. It was not my fault, yet others were busy calling me names, eyeing me in a disgusting manner. I am afraid...I am afraid to look into myself into that mirror which shows the truth, the truth which must stay concealed no matter what. I want my sister to grow up in a normal environment, other kids not mocking her because of me. This is something mother would have wanted...
After sniffling for some time, Ela finally raised her head, rubbing her eyes and asking me to grant one of her wishes, “Sister come with me to Grandpa Victor’s café next time, I want you to taste his sweet sweet pies.”
I-I don’t think I can go out Ela, ask for something else–
NO! You have to come and that is final!
I had no other choice and reluctantly agreed to her.
Okay, but promise me when I say I want to come back home, you won’t be stubborn and listen to me at once.
She shook her head a little sadly but agreed with me.
Okay!
✽✽✽
