Beyond Love

While the city streets were bursting with activity, I was left standing still, as if I were caught in an ocean of hopelessness and were suffocating in the harsh currents of existence. My fingers shook as they brushed against the crumpled job applications inside the old bag, and I gripped it even more tightly. My responsibilities appeared to weigh too heavily, crushing my hopes under their relentless strain.The interviewer's voice reverberated, "I'm sorry, Miss Anderson, but the position has been filled,"Each word conveying an echo of sadness. I had gotten used to hearing stories about doors shutting one after another. My goals of becoming a well-known doctor were vanishing into the night, sliding through my fingers like sand.I kept walking through the packed streets while a jumble of emotions swirled inside of me. Not only were my goals at stake, but also the welfare of my family. We were trapped in the devastating eye of my brother's deteriorating health, which had turned into

"Tenacious?" I choked on a reply. It was obvious that he had a very negative impression of me. We constantly clashed, like oil and water.However, something unexpected started to stir within me among the conflicts. There was an unmistakable magnetism that pulled me in behind the layers of his stern persona. His ability to dominate a space and his intense stare was both offensive and enticing.Our encounters evolved into a delicate ballet of tension and reluctant respect as the days stretched into weeks. It seemed as if two hostile groups were striving for control of the situation. However, there were short, silent times when I saw vulnerability in his eyes.One evening, he stopped me with a single word as I was ready to leave his office. "Wait."I whirled while posing a doubtful brow.He paused, looking at me intently as if he were looking for something. Then, in the quietest voice I'd ever heard, he murmured, "Thank you."His genuineness threw me off guard, and I blinked in shock. H

I was consumed with thoughts of my father's passing when I abruptly heard Ethan's Father.As soon as I caught sight of Mr. Jakes, Ethan's father, my heart raced. It was clear how shocked and surprised Ethan was as his eyes widened."What are you doing here?" Ethan's voice trembled, a mixture of uncertainty and perplexity.Mr. Jakes looked his kid in the eye, his face cold. "I came to complete what I began,"Ethan spoke with a mix of doubt and urgency in his words. "You killed Elah's father, did you?"With a menacing glimmer in his eyes, Mr. Jakes grinned. "The father of your beloved Elah was at a loose end. Just like your own father, he knew too much."I was stuck in place as I crouched down in the vehicle, the revelation coming over me like a tsunami. My father was shot by his father, not Ethan.While speaking, Ethan's voice quivered and was tinged with rage and uncertainty."Why did you kill him, though?"Mr. Jakes raised the pistol and stared emotionlessly into Ethan's eyes. He w

"Dad!" I stood trying to compose myself. "How long have you been standing here?"He looked pale and full of sorrow. With each passing day gradually drew life and hope away from him. Looking at how he gets to fight each day, struggling to stay alive for me and my brother, gives me determination to keep pushing. "I was contacted by your advisor." He said trying to maintain steady eye contact as if there was something he was looking forward to hearing from me. My heart froze. "Why would he…" immediately I noticed the change in his countenance, I knew I had failed him. I knelt immediately. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was only worried about David. But I'm promising to…." He suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders, inflicting shock on me."What are you talking about Elah?" Immediately, I stood up, looking like I had seen a ghost. "You said my academic advisor contacted you?""Yes. He did." He said and sat down on the floor of the basketball court. "And what did he say?" "Is there somethin

"Is everything okay?" I asked with anxiety in my voice.She sighed but didn't say a word. I pushed the door open and stepped out. As much as I wanted to know what the issue was, I didn't want to miss my appointment at the bar. I walked into the Celab bar, which operated as a restaurant during the day but at night, runs a bar session. "Good day ma'am," I said to the lady at the bar counter. She looked at me and then continued arranging the bottles and cleaning the cups. "I'm sorry but, I have an appointment with your manager." She turned and faced me, looking as if I said something out of point."Can't you see I'm busy, go ask another person.""But you work here and you can as well tell me where to find him.""Is anything wrong with your ears? I said, go ask another person. Leave!""Okay, okay, sorry." Just when I was about to approach another bartender, she called out to me and said,"That's him over there." She pointed in a direction. "Thank you.""Good day sir, I'm Elah Anderson