Lost

Mother barked, "Where were you? How many times I need to tell you to not wonder around? My friend was here and she was waiting for you to meet her. Do you realise how embarrassing it was for me?" I whispered softly, "It was last day of college so I thought of hanging out with my friends. If I knew that your friend was here, I would have come sooner. You could have called me." She huffed," Hanging out with friends? No wonder you are slipping on your grades. Tell me, are you seeing someone? Is that why you were busy?" "No, you can ask Lizzie. Beside I am not interested in relationship." "I wonder why? Anyway, get dressed. We are heading out with your father and he will be with his colleagues. Look presentable. Embarrassing him is last thing I want you to do." I breathed heavily and went upstairs. I took a long bath shedding some tears as I knew this isn't over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I walked inside the restaurant and followed my parents. Honestly I hated these meetings. There were usually his colleagues with their families and they kids. I don't have problem with my father's colleagues, they are nice and good people but I don't interact with anyone. Dad interacts with his friends, Mom with their wife and kids and I just still alone, nodding in approval or something. I have discussed this with my mom, but she accuses me of not being social and acting rude, and complains how she has to cover up my behaviour with her polite chit-chats. I sometimes feel like Rose in movie 'Titanic' when she was told to follow social conventions by her mother. Soon, other party arrived and we greeted them with smile. At least I did, my mother hugged them and their children. Only good thing about these meeting were, as long as these people are here, my parents acted loving and caring to me. I mentally rolled my eyes at them. I wonder how would my life turn around if they were genuinely that good? Judy greets me and I reply politely, she is amazing mother and beautiful woman, My mother often nit-picks her for being too lazy or spending too much on household but I don't care. She treats her everyone well irrespective of class and status. At first I though that everything she does is for show, like my mom. But when I saw Judy and her daughter Poppy, I knew this couldn't be faked, that it was real. Poppy is in business school and though I love her but I am glad she isn't here. Judy is proud of daughter and talks fondly about her and that's bad news for me. I am already fat, ugly and average in eyes of my parents and presence of Poppy will make that worse. My mother wanted me to join business school and I wanted to go for arts college. But as a comprise, I decided to go for English Honours. I like reading novels and stories but I prefer music. I like playing violin but that is apparently something hipsters do which is weird because I haven't seen them doing so. But I continued my practise of playing violin and it's big stress- reliever. "So Naila, what are your plans after college? I heard that it is your last year?" Judy asks. "I am not very sure but I have applied in some companies and might end up as content writer." "Sounds good. If you need any help, Poppy can help with her references. She was hoping to talk to you. She would have come in here, but work caught up." "I am sure Poppy is working very hard. Naila, make sure you talk to Poppy about that. This idea is great. His dad is also helping her and by next semester, I think things will become more clear." Soon conversation shifted towards my cousin and their mutual friend and I was glad. I am very sceptical to talk about my career specially when things weren't clear. My friends are usually supportive and guide me whereas my parents insult and mock me. Thus, I keep my career and relationship life private. But I will talk to Poppy, given the fact that if she did help me, I can at least live by myself and in peace. Of course, my job will be counted as accomplishment of Poppy but I don't mind that. In bigger picture, I can live on my own and I have to hear her taunts and nagging only when she calls me that isn't more that twelve minutes, my mother prefers face-to-face conversation more that on-call. Which I believe is blessing in disguise. After one and half hour, I reached home. Good thing was my parents were in good mood and were going to sleep. So, no conversations about my life, career or anything. I quickly flee upstairs and changed my outfit. I grabbed my headphones and listened to my night time Spotify playlist. Sleep came easy. Next morning, I woke up and dress up quickly. My father back from his yoga classes and was getting ready for his office. My mother was talking to my Aunt Nelly, she was her elder sister but completely opposite to my mother. Also very talkative, so I have good time to get out and look up for some classes before my interrogation begins. I quickly went down in the kitchen and ate pancakes. I thought of making a cup of coffee but it was 10'o clock and I don't want to do breakfast with dad. He is okay but then Mom would join and then conversation. Nope, not now. I decided to have coffee outside and grabbed my bag. Heading towards my mom, I signalled her going out. I expected to wave me okay but instead she told me to wait. f**k!! Hope that's for me to get something from market not this conversation. She said keeping a hand on receiver, " Wait! Your father wants to talk to you. He will be here soon." Well, I couldn't leave now. I decided to make myself a cup of strong coffee and waited for my dad. Soon, he was in kitchen, and sat down with his breakfast and asked me, " So, where are you going so early in morning?" "It's 10 am and I thought of looking up for some summer vacation classes. It will be good for my resume and will help with utilizing my vacations." "That's good. I am glad that you are taking some steps to improve yourself. Anyway, last night I and Julie have decided that you can work with me in my company. The option of working in other company might be tempting but as newbie you need more support and honestly I can help you lot. So, you should apply in my firm and it is easier for you to get entry there due to my influence." My head started running with million thoughts. If I work in his company, I will stay in same house. Also, his company is tax consulting firm and I don't think I will have a huge role or exposure in such area. Not to mention the fact, if I do ignore everything, working in dad's company under his supervision is hard as I will have boss not only in company but also at home. Taking his company will also make this statement official that without his influence, I am nothing.