Unforgettable Day(Krittika) In the warm evening of Georgia’s 12 June 2013, I was walking at the beach side with my slippers in my hand. The sun was red and orange in color. The sharp beams of it made the water shine like a million tons of gold was floating and each time I heard the splashing sound of water I turned deaf and the noise of children playing, group of friends and family laughing together, all disappeared. The cool sand was pulling my feet deeper towards the ground and the wind slowly blew my black shining hair which was lying down softly to my slim waist. I was wearing a denim Capri and a black and white tank top. That evening everything seemed quieter and calm. I took off my spectacles which had rectangular bold frames that suited the sharp oval shape of my face perfectly. I wiped a tear which dropped from my round black eyes on my cheeks. I didn’t notice when the tear dropped, maybe because I was lost in my own thoughts as I walked silently on the beach. I paused for a second looking around at the people beside me, they seemed very happy as if their lives were perfect. I wore my slippers back and started walking slowly still tightly holding my specs in my left hand, remembering that cold day which took my happiness forever… The day I forgot to smile and to be that bubbly girl I used to be before that incident. I stopped and saw a white colored bench a bit far from me. I went and sat on it and started thinking deeper. When I was almost gone into that deep memory a familiar voice took me out of it.

She was that pretty lady called Tammy Sullivan, who was in her late 50’s. Her hair was perfectly smooth and gray in color. Her face was a bit wrinkled and skin was tanned. She used to wear frocks mostly, it was quite funny for me when I was new in Georgia because in India we don’t see old ladies wearing frocks and other short dresses, but I slowly got over it. She was married to Mark Sullivan. Another good person who helped me get a good job. He looked the same as Tammy did. She called my name politely, ‘Ananya… What happened sweetie? You look very depressed. Can I help?’

My soul was screaming that yes I needed help; I needed a shoulder to cry on. To tell her I was missing someone terribly. But I lied. I managed to spill out words from my mouth.
“Yes Aunty. I’m totally fine. Was just sitting here like that, only...”
She interrupted, ‘you still didn’t learn to lie. I know something’s very wrong & by sharing it you will feel a little lighter. So please tell me maybe I and Mark can help you with it.’
I was listening to her carefully and replied-‘Remember the day I came at your home? I just had 38 dollars in my pocket. I was completely wet and sneezing because of cold rain pouring outside. And…’
I hesitated for a second trying to imagine the expression she made when I was there standing at door with a small handbag and luggage. She was happy, shocked and curious on seeing me at her home and the fact that I travelled all the way from India at the age of 17 alone made her tensed. I ignored my thoughts and managed to speak again.
‘And, you were giving me mixed expressions.’
She giggled and replied with a grin, ’how can I forget it?’
I continued. ‘You told me to change my clothes and made some hot coffee for me. But… when you asked the reason how I travelled so far and did my parents know I was here, I told you not to ask this question again ever and you agreed. I told you that I wanted to stay here until I got a job and as soon as I got a job I would leave your house and if you wanted I can even give you rent for my stay and do any house chore. I was typically begging you at that point and luckily you agreed to this also.’
She asked suspiciously, ’why are you recalling that day? Is it somewhere connected to your problem? Or you don’t feel comfortable here?’
I said, ’I take the second one. I want to answer that question you asked me the first day, why was I here…’
'Ah! So that’s the problem which is bothering you, huh? Feel free to start your story.' She said while holding my hand tighter.
I began… “It was the worst day of my life. My dad is a business man and my mom a housewife. I belong to a very rich family. My parents always loved me. I was the only child they had until the birth of my brother. I was 13 at that time. At first I loved my brother. He was so cute and adorable. But slowly things started to change. My parents now loved my brother and seemed to ignore me. That’s what I thought because I was very small and acted childishly. It was not that my parents didn’t love me but it was hard for me to digest that I have to share my things with him. My brother was named “Aarav” by my grandpa. Aarav was very naughty, witty and a bit humorous too. As I was changing completely at that time, both physically and mentally, like any other teenager I was confused about myself. It was like I was going mad and there was no one to look after me.”
I stopped for a moment to look at Tammy aunty. She was listening to me patiently. So I started again.
“That day in school I had a test which didn’t go well. My grades were going down from past 1 year and so my teacher Mr. Rathore called Dad to meet him after the school and something unexpected happened when he came home. I was upstairs surfing on internet and talking to a friend on my mobile. He came into my room, snatched my phone and broke it into pieces. His eyes were fuming with anger. He slapped me hard. He called mom and said that Ananya is grounded. She shouldn’t even touch phone or computer or any other device until and unless I again become the topper and score full marks in each subject. He was doing this for me for my better future. But as he slapped me I talked back to him rudely and urged him to do whatever he wanted and even said something that I shouldn’t have which led to another tight slap. I pushed mom and dad out of the room and shut the door with loud noise behind them. I was so furious that I didn’t eat anything for 2 days surviving on my snacks I had hidden under my bed. I went to school, came back did my homework and began to score full marks again. My dad I knew was happy with me. He apologized, but I refused. Probably I was misbehaving with mom, dad, Aarav, my friends, servants and neighbors. Everyone hated me. But this one slap wasn’t the reason. I had to hear lectures from my teacher, attend extra classes, so many coaching and institutes and my badminton, swimming and abacus classes this tight schedule was bothering me each day. I got so tired that I could barely have time for some fun. As I grew older, that is 16 years, I was a spoiled rich brat. My parents and neighbors used to call me this. I didn’t care for anyone else’s feelings. It was just me and my boyfriend. I was mad at him and he was mad at my money. I used to spend thousands of rupees on him without thinking twice. His name was Ketan. I thought Ketan was serious about me and we would marry each other at the right age. I was so confident on him. He used to gift flowers, chocolates and expensive gifts which I loved a lot.”
Tammy interrupted, “It’s hard for me to believe that you were like that. You are such a kind, diligent, well-mannered and sincere girl. This Ketan thing… your parent’s didn’t know about it, right?”
I smiled, “Actually they knew. They did every possible thing to keep me away from Ketan but it was out of their hands now. I trusted Ketan blindly and my parents and other good people looked like enemies to me. I still laugh at myself for being silly.
She said, ‘I understand. It’s not just only you, many kids make such mistakes. So what happened next?’
I told her this was the point I made the mistake, ‘It was my birthday. I was very happy and somewhat everything restored. I was bubbly and my nature was good now. I was again that disciplined girl I used to be. I loved everyone, my parents, my cute brother Aarav, my relatives and cousins. I’m sure this was because was staying away from Ketan due to his bad behavior with me those days. But still I loved him. On my birthday dad threw a big party and invited many people. Everyone loved me now. I turned 17 that day. I was all dressed up and ready to cut the cake. It was then I received a message from Ketan on my cell phone. It was-
“I m sry. I was wrng about you. Plszz forgive me for behaving like that with u. I won’t do that again. I know it’s your birthday. Happy birthday! I don’t want to spoil your evening. It’s on you to forgive me now. Bye.”
This was a minor trick played on me which worked and I forgave him. Then Aarav came to my room, he held my hand and took me towards the cake. His hands were so soft, I loved my brother. He was the best gift of my life. Everyone wished me and my mood was awesome now. I cut the cake and then everyone said a few lines for me. Many praised that I was on the right track now. I party ended the entire guests returned to their home happily. I decided to tell Ketan that I wasn’t interested in him now. So I took my newly gifted car and went to his home. Where his mom told me Ketan was at the farm house. I took Aarav along with me telling mom-dad that I was ending all the problems and starting a new life.
Mom-dad was of course happy with my sudden change.

So I and Aarav left for the farmhouse. It was 9pm and the stupid mistake I could have made was taking Aarav there. When I reached I found Ketan drunk. He started shouting on me, spilling the truth. I remember each word he said to me. He cursed me. Said I was stubborn and a big idiot for believing him. He wasn’t going to marry me and was just using my money to fill demands of his true love. He was just playing a game with me. It’s all over now. I stood there shocked and shattered. In a few minutes heavy tears were falling from my eyes and I was crying out loud. I went near him and slapped him for cheating me and what he did was unbearable. He took a knife and stabbed it in my hand. Aarav came running to me and Ketan…He didn’t realized what he was doing. He took a glass showpiece and broke it on my little brother’s head and Aarav fell down on the ground with dark red blood running from his head. Ketan escaped and I fainted. I didn’t know what happened next. I woke up in a hospital bed. Aarav was lying straight on another bed. I heard doctors talking to my dad. They were saying Aarav was critical and he had lost a lot of blood but he will be fine soon. Just a minor operation and some stiches will work.

Mom noticed that I was awake. she thanked god for saving both of her kids. I was criticizing myself for this incident. That happened because of me. Mom calmed me down and then dad came and told that Ketan had been sent to jail. Everything was fine now. But still I was ashamed of myself. After 3 days, I was discharged and then I decided to leave India forever. I took my saving and packed my bag. Took everything and left a note on table. I left my home and never went there. I had nowhere to go so I came to you.”

Tammy had tears in her eyes. She said, ‘I’m glad you took this decision. But you must be missing them all. Don’t you wanna go back?’
I wiped my tears, ‘Yes. I want to. I miss them each day. Every Raksha bandhan I miss Aarav. I have not seen them from 9 years. I miss Aarav a lot. I don’t even know if he is… is alive!! The care mom and dad did for me during the days I was hospitalized makes me cry. I have their address and phone number. But never had the confidence to contact them. I don’t know if they will be happy if I return.’
Tammy aunty was smiling now… ‘You should go back. As a mother I can tell you how much your mom misses you every day and your dad he must be searching for you every single day. You should definitely go.’
I reached my hands to hug her. I said I had booked the tickets and would return to meet her soon. I wore my specs and stood up holding auntie’s hand. We jogged towards the house, she helped me with packing and then Mark and she drove me to the airport. I told them how grateful I was to them. I said goodbye.

I opened my eyes it was morning. I reached Indira Gandhi International airport. Delhi was changed in 9 years completely. I hired a taxi after getting out of the airport. The smell of India’s climate and people so friendly made me nervous and excited. I gave the address of my home. After 1 hour I reached my home. It looked as it was. I saw a boy playing in the garden of my home and my mom reading newspaper. Dad was playing with that boy. That boy was… Aarav! So cute he was looking. So big he was looking. The watchman opened the door and shouted Ananya Baby is here look. All of them looked at me with tears of joy. They ran and hugged me tightly. Before I could say anything I found that Mark and Tammy narrated the whole story to them on calling. They were kissing and hugging me and I was just crying. They were glad to see me and said they searched a lot for me.
I replied, ‘I won’t do that stupid mistake ever again which took me apart from you. I’m Sorry. Especially to you Aarav, the loss I did to you. I’m sorry please forgive me.’
They all said with a big smile, ‘Welcome Home.’


Through this story I want to reach every teenager’s heart and say that our parents only think the best for us. They never want to keep us unhappy. They do so much for us & we should respect that love and do every possible thing for them. Siblings are best friends you can ever get; never ever hate him/her. Love the people around you. There is always a solution of problems. don’t go on the wrong track and destroy your life. Be close to your families and friends. Mistakes are made by everyone, it depends on you how you correct it…

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