It was black, it always was. She could not do without a mug of black coffee from freshly ground Arabica coffee beans. Looking around, she heaved a sigh of relief as she sipped the lukewarm beverage. It had been some time since she could sit and breathe evenly. She reached into her pocket and drew out a photograph of her son and thumbing the photograph she reminisced about the moments she still had him in his life. It had been five years since she had lost James and the memories of that day haunted her. She could never wash those memories out and she will never forget his last few words. First she had lost her son James and then her husband Nathan, who she had tied the knot with 6 years ago. Her world had crumbled into pieces and it took some time for her to gather herself and re-build that faith to live. She had to keep fighting, for them, for justice.
It was then she noticed the back of a leather jacket with that logo she would never forget on a man at the counter. She immediately covered her auburn hair with the hood of her jacket and sipped the last few drops of her coffee. Paying the nervous waitress nearby, she hurriedly gathered her purse and belongings and slid off the chair to leave, without waiting for her change. She had to make sure she was not noticed as she walked out of the cafe, she could not afford to be recognised.
The skies had turned dark and a slight drizzle dampened the sidewalks, making them glisten as the pale moonlight reflected off them. She took quick, quiet footsteps and walked as fast as she could. As she half-turned, she noticed a figure walk out of the cafe. Not being able to make out his face and not daring to stare too long, she quickened her footsteps and tightened her fist in her pockets. The chilly November wind made her shiver through her cardigan but nothing caused more pain than the chill in her heart which was trampled to pieces. She could hear his footsteps now, quickening ever so gradually and her heart began to pound loud enough for her to hear in her own ears. She must not panic; she had to find justice for her son and her beloved husband. Her brisk walk turned into a slow jog and eventually a dash towards a familiar neighbourhood. Finally when she could not hear his footsteps anymore, she turned to check and sure enough, she was alone. Turning back towards her flat and upon reaching home, she locked the door and fell onto the couch to let her heart settle from what she thought could have been the last day of her life. And what could have possibly been the last mug of black coffee that ever entered her body.
She turned towards a photograph of James, Nathan and herself at the Grand Canyon when they were still one happy family, untainted by the horrors of what came after. Tears streamed down her cheek as she whispered that she will fight for justice; that she will fight for them till her very last breath. She promised.
1 comment:
excellent job Vibha keep up the good work
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