Belonging_Story

His eyes scanned the dim empty room, trying to focus on something to keep his mind off recent troubles. A knock on the door broke him out of his trance. “Ben, dinner’s ready.” He noticed that his mother’s voice lacked the usual authority since the incident. It was the first time in months that she had said his name. His eyes continued to roam around the dark room and swept over the picture of his family and his grandfather. He couldn’t keep it in anymore, reality hit him and Ben started to cry. He had acted so strong, for the sake of his little sister who needed a firm character to lean on, since his father has been become a hermit secluded in the living room on the couch. Ben ripped open his drawers, trying to find his grandfather’s last letter which was buried underneath all his clothes. Tearing off the seal, he read his grandfather’s last words for the hundredth time. “I’m alright Ben. No use worrying about me and have fun at camp. The hospital has really been giving it to me. All these needles, pipes, fluids, I sometimes wonder if all of this is worth it. But then I remember what I have left. What I truly value the most. You and your family are the only reason why I endure this pain hoping that it would cure this dreaded illness. I refuse to join your beloved grandmother for the time being, to see your faces once again. Don’t worry, I promised you that I’ll live until I’m two hundred and two didn’t I'” A tear ran down Ben’s cheek as his eyes wondered to the top of the letter. “26th May 2009”. Ben admired the courage that his grandfather displayed through his letter. The words painted a strong fighting spirit going up against the inevitable. His grandfather had inspired Ben to live. Feeling dejected after her son ignored her, Barbara continued to the next room. “Jenny dear, dinner’s ready.” Barbara remembered walking down the aisle as the soft joyful melody was played. Cold judging eyes pierced right through her, insulating out all the mellow chords. Every step felt like walking bare footed on fire with everyone publicly making her unwelcome. But as she looked up, his face radiated with such warmth that would have melted the coolest of hearts, restoring her confidence and making her accepted at her own wedding as she recited her vows to her husband, John. Barbara thought about John. His father’s death certainly took a toll on him. As she was heading to the living room through the empty corridors to console her husband, Barbara acknowledged that it too was her father that died. Jenny stood up on her bed. “Ouch!” She rubbed her head in pain as she remembered that the ceiling was a lot lower than it used to be. Jenny then realised that she has grown since the many summers ago and so has Ben, compensating for the missing link. For the first time in a long time, she flicked on the light, banishing all the darkness, revealing all the accumulated gifts from her grandfather. John stared lifelessly at the plain ceiling, reminiscing his childhood. All those hours playing and learning off his dad. A feeling of helplessness has settled in his mind after the passing away of his father. His father has been there for him his whole life. Although a grownup now, John was still susceptible to simple problems. Day after day, no matter how fatigued he was, his father would always return home jubilantly, happy to be home. John remembered looking out at the horizon, where the deep orange sunlight merged with the light yellow hay, to spot an antique truck. Sometimes he would hear its dying engine before he could see it. This sound may be annoying to most, but it was music in John’s ears for it signalled that his father was home to protect him from the unseen dangers in the night. It was a bittersweet moment for John, but the memories alone couldn’t overcome the pain. John understood that he had to move on and that he had a family to take care of. The death of his father has severed the once tight bonds of his family. All the members are spread all around the house. His father has taken care of him, now it’s his turn to provide for his family. John got off the couch and was met with the most liberating feeling. He walked to the study to find all the cameras. Weeks passed, and yet John still felt alone even after overcoming his self exile. It was another night and he prepared for another night in solitude. Dragging himself to the dinner table, he was surprised to see the crescents on his family members’ faces. “Instead of mourning over his death, let’s celebrate his life.”