PHONE RINGING… TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE CHANGING
My Grandfather's phone call came deep and heavy, summoning our consultation with the lawyer. It was obvious what was to come out of the consultation; they just wanted me to know about the fight they were having— a potently feeble effort to raise my awareness.
"I am worried that you are hitting the road again, son," my mother says. Pretty and classy, she has been there for me, but her tight office hours leave us without time even to meet.
"Mrs. Viera Tybalt, my splendid mother, believe me because I say so, as your son."
"But you are just 15!" she lets out with all concern on the face.
"I'm way past all this," I laughed. Tried to make this sound funny. As we wrestle our way into these many difficult dynamics of family and obligations, the meeting with Grandfather and the lawyer starts to carry real stakes, a point where all these tensions of life are brought together and there is no other choice but to know and be tough.
As we approached Grandfather, the air seemed thick with a mixture of anticipation and dread. The high noon sun cast down long shadows, adding dramatic importance to what was about to happen—a meeting that could change the trajectory of our whole family: bound by blood but so often pulled apart by the demands of life.
We approached the pre-arranged site, where awaiting us was Grandfather—an august figure, which gave the situation more significance as it was already brewing. The attorney—a man of some consequence—came to round-off the assembly to begin the revelation about the impending downfall.
As the attorney spoke of a business turned into a rotten janitor, I could not concentrate on most of what he said because I was getting lost in the food present on the table, with the custodies passing the basket. The attorney droned on and on about the ins and outs of the business, but my mind was happily elsewhere on all the delicious dishes in front of me.
The aroma of the food made it impossible to resist. As the attorney told his rather serious tale, I sat there, paying attention mostly to the flavors and textures of these dishes. Every bite tells another little story—of combinations, of cooking styles, of cultural flavors.
As the lawyer talked about the struggles of the business owner, I took comfort in enjoying a good meal. The sound of forks and knives clinking, along with the background chatter, created a pleasant backdrop to the delicious tastes unfolding on my taste buds.
Chorus from the tough business story the lawyer was talking about the challenges the owner was experiencing, I resolved into letting the moment be, I was happy with the present moment and the simple pleasures of sharing a good meal. As the words of the lawyer continued, my tough business story thoughts bounced happily between each thought and the joy of savoring the flavors on the plate in front of me.
I FOUND myself in the middle of everything that was falling apart, questioning what was left to be built back up again. I sought comfort and within seconds made an impulse decision to go on a megayacht journey.
As I'd pondered over the vagaries of my life, a thought struck me; there is this box—not literal, but filled to the brim with a heap of unease that could even provide answers. I turned to her—Nurse Sarah; she was my confidante at these moments of contemplation. "Do I need to open the box for their sake?"
Her brows raised in what almost seemed surprise.
"Huh?"
"Don't play games with me; I know what you want." For all her attempts at innocence, I had the distinct impression that finding a reliable confidante was hard to come by.
"Sighing, she parted with another layer of the enigmas eluding my comprehension for a decade. 'So much that you don't know. While you sleep, we toil ceaselessly. If you find me playing with your emotions, then why am I here on your megayacht trip, sharing wine with you?
Her words struck a chord, and I found myself smiling in acknowledgment. "Perhaps, it's because for this period, I have no one else to call upon, and after all, you are paid for being here anyhow." The expedition started not only as a physical escape but also as a journey to find out the inner layers of my very existence, with Nurse Sarah as an accidental traveler in this odyssey of self-exploration.
"Mavulis Island; a place far from the hustle of the city. What made you accept my invite to join me?" I asked.
The sea breeze softly whispered as it played with my hair and, with sunglasses over my eyes, I continued to enjoy the beauty of the scenery this is Mavulis Island. Speaking to Sarah and breaking the silence, I shared my plans.
"We're going to Taiwan," I said, and there was a small shimmer in my voice.
"Ha! Why? Why didn't you inform me!" Nurse Sarah was shocked all over.
"Because you're thinking about dating," I bantered with a wicked smile hanging out on the corner of my lips.
"No way!" she said hilariously, disbelief lacing her tone. Nurse Sarah's disbelieving tone really lightened the situation, gelling into the serenity of nature around us. The waves wouldn't quit their dance, which they had started, with all the promise of upcoming adventures in Taiwan.
PHONE IS RINGING. THE SKY IS TURNING TO GREY
I answered the phone call from an unknown number. A mysterious voice from the other end said, "Come and visit my house once you arrive here. There's so much to discuss—important things," urged the voice.
"Why would I?"
"You are the one who ruined this life." I was perplexed at that.
In another call, my father expressed concern about where I am going now.
I decided to completely disregard that eerie voice after hanging up and focus on the concern my father had expressed.
"Dad, you don't have to worry; this is a friend's place," I assured him.
"I only want you to be safe because there have been really many issues around here, and I can't help but worry," he perfectly said.