Shot 1 :" Home Sweet Home Matured

2 years ago

Juanita

@BlurredLines

Anu's parents were fighting again and once again it was because of her. It was because Anu got upset when her mom couldn't  make it up for her competition on time as promised. 

Her Papa was angry with her mom and her family for causing her delay and her mom was sad because Papa was upset with her. 

If only Anu didn't end up crying earlier today, if only Anu remained a good girl and accepted that her mom has a lot of responsibilities including a little baby who need her grandmother. 

But Anu got selfish and wanted more from her parents. In the end because of her, her parents were fighting with each other. Because her Papa got angry with her mom's family. 

Anu tried to sleep but the tears won't stop falling. She still remember the day she got adopted and believed she would finally have a place to belong and call home, instead  She caused problems between her parents. 

Anu had valid reasons to want more of assurance from her parents, she was scared, just recently her Papa was sick and she feared that she might lose him and so she became bit more clingy of her family. 

It was why Anu wanted more attention from her family and in the end it only caused her parents to fight with each other and everyone unhappy. Anu also feared because she was getting more troublesome to handle her parents might send her back to the children's home as well. 

So when her Papa entered the room a little later and found her awake and crying. Anu tried to wipe away the tears in fear that he would have another reason to be upset today but she was still too late. 

"Pack your bags Anu. Come on, quick. Let me help you" her Papa spoke up at her tears and Anu feared her worst fears come true after all. They were sending her away. 

So inspite of her earlier decision not to cry in front of her parents and be bothersome. Anu burst into tears as she wept continuously all the while pleading with her father not to send her away. 

"Shush Anu. Nobody is sending you away. Calm down, my daughter. " Her father words of assurance fell on deaf ears amidst her loud wailing. 

It had been her mom who managed to calm her down with an embrace and she kept talking and talking until Anu finally heard the same words of assurance from her and calmed down. 

"Now you see what I was trying to tell you" Her Papa spoke up to her mom once Anu stopped crying. 

"No one is sending you away Anu, your Papa just wants to take you away for a vacation. " her mom told her instead. 

"What about you, mom? " Anu asked her mother who admitted that she was coming on the trip as well. Only then Anu felt happy because finally she was getting to have her parents all to herself. 

"Is anyone else coming with us, like the little baby" Anu asked again, just to check if it was just the three of them or the whole family including her mom's older kids. 

"No, just the three of us" Her father assured her instead which only made Anu more excited as she got up from her bed to pack her bags in am hurry. 

As Anu drifted off to sleep little later. She decided to be on her best behavior for the entire trip and ensure her parents never find a reason to fight again because of her. 

                         **************

Anu got up from the bed in a rush as she got ready and brought her bags down excited for the trip. Her Papa did say that they were leaving early in the morning. 

Only to find her Papa and her mom fighting all over again in the living room with the packed bags between them. 

"I need to go, they need me. We can postpone the trip tomorrow. I can't leave like this Anuj" Her mom was saying to her father and just like that Anu happiness drifted away. 

"You promised Anu, you promised that you will come with us. Didn't you see how excited our daughter was about the trip" Her Papa argued back and little Anu feared that this might make them fight again because of her. 

"It is okay Papa, we can go tomorrow. " Little Anu spoke up trying to not to cry and make them sad as well. 

"See she understands Anuj. I have to go now. We will talk later " her mom spoke up and rushed away leaving little Anu with her Papa. 

Anu didn't know how to console her Papa who looked upset so went back inside her room and cried all over again. 

An hour later her Papa knocked on her door and walked inside to find her crying still. 

"Freshen up Anu, we are going on the trip today itself" her Papa spoke up and Anu assumed her mom returned back earlier. 

When Anu got inside the car and found her mom missing she didn't ask any questions because she assumed they would pick her up along the way. 

And she didn't want to ask any more questions and make her Papa upset. 

But when the car kept driving for a long time without her mom. She worried that her Papa had some how forgot to pick her up and hesistantly asked him the question about her mom's whereabouts. 

"The trip is just two of us Anu. You and me. I promise the next trip, we will bring your mom. But first we need to make a little stop and then we can drive to the airport. " Her Papa spoke up and Anu was too taken back by the fact her mom won't be coming after all to say anything in return. 

                       *****************

The car stopped beside a house that was much smaller than her home. As her Papa got down from the car, little Anu followed him as well. 

After a brief know the door opened to reveal a stranger to Anu. But a smile flickered on the stranger's face at the sight of her Papa. 

"Can we come inside. I promise to keep it short" Her Papa asked the stranger who let them inside her house. 

"Come on in. It look as if we need some introductions to be made" The stranger spoke up as she looked at Anu with a smile. 

"Hi, I am Malavika. Anuj's sister. You must be his daughter right?. I am your aunt and come inside I have just brought some new cookies that we can eat together" The stranger spoke up with a smile that Anu felt no longer wary of her. 

As promised the stranger brought a whole plate of cookies once they got seated in her living room. Anu liked the cookies and was busy eating them and barely paid attention to what her Papa and the stranger were talking since they were seated little farther away from her. 

Still Anu somewhat heard few words here and there where her Papa said sorry and the stranger said sorry as well. 

"It is time to leave Anu" Her Papa spoke up and any other time Anu would have simply followed him out side but when she looked up to see the stranger she looked sad that they were leaving so soon. 

It was the reason Anu spoke up surprising even herself by inviting the stranger on the trip with them. 

"Can your sister come with us too Papa? " Anu asked her Papa who looked taken back by her sudden request. 

"Yeah why don't you come with us. If you are not busy. If you are it is totally fine. We can go on a trip some other time together" Her Papa spoke up next and Anu thought her aunt would refuse because why would anyone choose to spend time with Anu when even her mom couldn't find the time. 

But her aunt surprised by saying yes and asking them to wait so she can pack her bags. 

"Do you want to help me pack, Anu. I got lot of clothes. So I am not sure which one to choose? " her aunt asked Anu who agreed happily as she walked with her to her room. 

As her aunt said the her wardrobe was indeed filled with too many clothes. Anu had fun choosing the one that should be packed because all the dresses looked as the ones princess wear. 

Anu must have been caught adoring the dress too much because her aunt asked if Anu liked them. 

"Yeah, they are really beautiful" Anu replied back. 

"Well in that case. We are going to go lots of shopping and I will buy you lots of dresses as well. You know, I love shopping and I always wanted to shop in the kids section because they have more cutest outfits. " Her aunt spoke up excitedly as she continued packing her bags with more clothes. 

Another hour later Anu was back in the car this time not just with her Papa but with her aunt as well. 

                     ******************

Anu enjoyed the vacation with her Papa and her aunt. They took her to lot of interesting places. Her aunt took her shopping as promised and brought her lot of new clothes that Anu loved and everything about the vacation. It was perfect except the absense of her mom. 

Anu talked twice with her mom during the trip. Each time she had to end the call quick because she was busy. But as the day of going back home reached near, Anu began to worry more about her mom. 

Anu didn't want her mom to dislike her for leaving without her. Her Papa had said her mom understood and it was both of their decision. But Anu feared her mom might not be happy with Anu for not waiting for her. 

So when they finally went back home and stopped by to drop her aunt on her home. Anu was reluctant to head back home fearing her mom reaction in the first place.  Anu didn't  want to make her mom upset or cause anymore fight with her parents. 

It had been the reason when they stopped by at her aunt's house. Anu asked her aunt if she could stay with her instead. Shocking both her aunt and her Papa. 

Anu knew her aunt for less than a week, but she liked her and the fact she was always smiling at the sight of Anu made her believe she was welcome. 

Maybe Anu got it wrong because her aunt wasn't  smiling now, maybe her aunt liked spending time with her brother and adjusted with having Anu along and she didn't  actually want  her around as well. 

All Anu wanted was to find a place to call home and a family of her own. But it looks as if she couldn't  belong anywhere after all.

"You can stay here as long as you like Anu, but it can't  be my decision. You need to ask your Papa and you mom for permission" her aunt  spoke up after awhile and somehow  her acceptance made all the difference to Anu who immediately  looked upto her Papa for his permission. 

"Can I stay with Aunty tonight  instead Papa, please?" Anu asked  her Papa next. 

"Let me check with your mom, Anu. She must already miss you " her Papa spoke up and went to make the call. 

By the time he returned back, he looked upset that Anu expected to hear her mom said no. While part of Anu was disappointed  not to stay with her aunt, another part was bit relieved to know her mom wanted her back home as well.

"Your mom is not at home, Anu. So it is okay for you to stay here tonight.  I will come amd pick you up tomorrow " her Papa spoke up instead  surprising Anu with his  permission. 

Anu expected to be relieved by not spending the night back home. Her parents won't  fight because of her. Anu won't  have to worry about upsetting her mom as well. 

But back in the new room that night. Anu didn't  feel relieved she just fell all alone. Anu didn't  want to disturb her aunt in the middle of the night,  but she didn't  want to be alone. So got up to knock on her bedroom door. 

"Come inside Anu" her aunt's welcoming voice made her walk inside her room and  then promptly  burst into tears because she was scared of losing her family. 

                    ******************

P. S :" That is it for now. Let me know your thoughts and feedback. Hit the votes if you liked it 

Juanita Reid