Grahams

After leaving behind everything that Daniel had ever gotten me, down to the tiniest piece of underwear he paid for, all I had left were my own personal belongings and my car.

That had been a gift from my elder brother back then, back when I was not so obstinate about marrying Daniel, which has come down to be a total mistake now.

Driving through the winding roads leading to the exquisite areas of this entire city, as I get closer and closer to my parent’s estate, my heart keep beating faster and faster, wondering if I am making a mistake here. I could just disappear on what I’ve saved up over the years and move to another country or something. Maybe reach out to my elder brother and let him know everything that has happened and he should let my parents know…

As all of these thoughts cross my head, I get closer and closer until my car comes to a stop in front of the gigantic gates.

I take in a very deep breath before pressing down on my horn, and within ten seconds, the automatic gates swing inwards, a fairly old man waving at me as I drive past… as I look around the place, I realize just how much has changed within the past three, just how much I have missed the place.

I park the car silently and walk up the doors, letting myself in through the doors, the passcode still hasn’t been changed all these years.

The first thing I do as I walk inside is take a deep breath, my mom’s thick smell of cinnamon and cardamom tea that she takes religiously every morning still hangs in the air, as sweet as I remember it to be.

As I walk past the hall, shushing anyone I meet on the way so they won’t yell and announce my presence, I walk past the guest room, bar room and then into the living room, where as always, I meet my mum watching a movie, her cup of tea cold and forgotten on the small stool beside her while her eyes are red. She has watched the movie so so many times that her tears have dried up but she still manages to have red eyes every time.

Melissa Graham, beautiful woman as she is.

The ending monologue of the movie brings her into the shaking head phase and I almost chuckle. ‘Just as Raees had said, I haven’t been able to stop feeling the regret of his death.’ By the police character after they shot and killed the main lead, the same one I was named after.

Just then, she turns around and sees me, her face lights up, not in anger, or regret, or hatred, or disappointment like I had expected but in relief. “RAEES!” She screams, almost bringing the house down.

Words fail me and unexpectedly, tears spring into my eyes and doesn’t even take seconds before she wraps me in her hands and the tears fall my own eyes to her shoulders. “Mom, I’m sorry. I’ve missed you so much. I am sorry.”

“It’s okay darling…” She mutters sniffling as she pats me on the back still hugging me. “I’ve missed you too. Welcome back my dear.”

As she’s still hugging me, we both hear the sound of descending footsteps. “After watching that movie over a million times, I can’t believe you will still yell out his name like that. Does his death suddenly hurt you so—” The rest of the words die in his throat as my Dad’s gaze falls on me. “Raees.” He mutters, his face crinkling up in a smile.

Oh how I’ve missed my Dad.

Jacob Graham,

He’s what they call ‘beekeeping’ age, with his white streaked hair and beard, his mildly old eyes that has grown old and yet is still sharp enough to see through his thick glasses, those kind eyes fold up into a smile, one that I have missed so damn much.

How did I go three years with no contact from my parents because of a man? A man like Daniel at that?

“Welcome back home my daughter.” My Dad mutters as he pulls me into a hug, I am not the same height as he is, about a head’s height higher but he’ll always be taller, like my mum too, as she stands aside, watching the father-daughter reunion.

I have always been my father’s favorite while my brother was my mums’.  But because I wanted to marry someone that my parents did not approve of, for reasons best well known to them at the time, and now to myself too, I had left home.

And my welcome is just as warm as though I had never left.

“You came in time for breakfast.” Dad says, his lips still curled upwards, a somewhat proud look in his eyes.

“I’m sorry Dad, please forgive me for my stupidity.”

“Honey, you never offended me. There is a saying to let a child touch the fire to know how it is. Whatever has happened has happened, I am proud of you for summoning the courage to come back to your mother and I.”

I smile, wiping my eyes. “I see how the Raees bug still has Mum in a twist. I caught her finishing it as I walked in earlier.”

My Dad laughs. “You’d think she’d have outgrown it now. I wake up every morning and she’s gone, by the time I freshen up and come down, she’s either at least two hours into it or she’s done watching. At this point, even I can probably say the lines, word for word.”

My Mum laughs at both of us. “The daughter I named after the best movie in the world is ganging up against me as soon as she walks through the door? Especially with the man that was here when she wasn’t? I am fed up of you two. Come on, the table has been set.”

Almost like I had not disappeared for three years, not disappointed my parents, we all walk to the dining room, where true enough, the table has been set for breakfast, I sit opposite my parents on the large dining table.

“Welcome back ma’am.” One of the older staff women greet me as she serves the food and leaves.

It’s a delicious looking plate of ricotta and spinach ravioli in a creamy marinara sauce with toasted panko and garlic parmesan roasted zucchini.

“Wow. Still eating healthily?”

Mum chuckles. “We’re balancing it now.” She laughs as she digs in. “So, how is Daniel?”

“I asked for a divorce yesterday, I had it finalized too.” I remark as I eat without showing too much like it’s not a big deal. But they both paused and put down their forks, so in the end, so do I.

“Are you okay honey?” Dad asks, looking slightly worried for me.

“It’s fine Dad. He cheated on me and made me do something I wouldn’t have done. I realized he didn’t love me so I chose myself.”

“That is impressive of you.” Mum reassures me and presses softly on my palm from across the table.

Dad chuckles almost inaudibly. “Thank goodness you came at the right time. I’ve been getting a bit worried.”

“Worried?” I frown and glance to my mum whose facial expression gives nothing away. “About what?”

“My heir obviously. Who is going to take over the company? You know your brother can’t since he’s busy with his own responsibilities abroad, I have only you left, and now I’m old and frail and can’t do anything without these damned glasses of mine…” He takes in a deep breath and uses that disarming smile he had come to master so well, “Will you take over from me beta?”

Beta is an Indian word meaning ‘child’ or close in context, my name is Raees, an Indian origin name so he’d always used that to con me into doing things like these, but this time, not much choice do I have, and neither do I actually have anything doing…

“Sure Dad, time to put my degree to use I guess.”

My parents break out in cheers and high five one another.

“You owe me two hundred bucks.” Dad says amidst victorious laughter while my mum scowls at me.

“You bet on me, wow, I have the best parent in the world.” I say in a resigned tone and join the laughter.