Bella

Episode 1: Norm

"Bella, Bella ,Bella"

Her name was the only thing she could hear engulfed in a tingling sensation in her ears.she was numb but she felt an uneasy feeling .

"Bella ,can you hear me.Its your uncle John."

"I don't think she can hear you sir. You should let her rest for a while"

"Let her rest!let her...what on earth are you telling me she's been involved in a plane crash and you want me to let my niece rest, what if I lose her too...."

"Uncle where am I" Bella strained out her words as she tried hard to get up.

"You're awake thank God.Doctor she's awake." Shouted John as he stood to get the doctor.

John came forth fast and sat on the hospital bed "How do you feel Bella ."

"I don't feel anything Uncle." She strained but this time she was able to get up and sat on the bed.She yawned then asked her uncle, " What happened? Why am I in hospital?"

The doctor came in hurriedly to examine her. She read the name of the doctor silently but she couldn't really tell if it was 'Alen' or 'Alan' Tate. She felt a disturbing pain as the doctor stretched he left leg. It was now that she knew she was in pain and that she had a fractured leg. the pain lanbed on her at once and she screemed painfully. The doctor stopped applying pressure to her leg and turned to John, " Shes going to be okay, all she needs is a plaster and she'll be fine."

John once again sat on the bed and told Bella" everything will be okay." He wiped off a tear from Bella's cheek and looked at her mercifully.

Though John kept reassuring Bella of things being ok, he knew that Bella would never see her Mother ever again.He pitied her knowing how troubling it would be for someone to loose both her parents in less than a month's time . Earlier that same August she lost her dad to a stray bullet from a gang war. He always asked what Bella ever did to deserve all that trouble. He knew deeply that he would now have to take care of the nine year old for the rest of his life.Things weren't good for him neither for he was fired for drugging and he didn't have a plan that could sustain both of them, he thought to himself about selling his truck and relocating to his dad's farm and starting all over again.

NINE AND A HALF YEARS LATER

Bella wiped off the oil from her palms to a piece of purple old cloth and took the spanner from the bonnet of the pimped audi.she turned the bolts several times then threw the spanner clanging into the mettalic toolkit.

"Guess now you're ready for the big one 'ted'.(This is how she calls her racecar)

She closed the bonnet and removed her overcoat.she sat in the driver's seat and started the engines.The monster of a car came to life in a rumbling growl she turned the gears and she could feel the swiftness of the gears. She knew the car was as good as fixed.

"Is it better, Bel"came her uncle John who had stood there for a minute or two now.

"Better is not a really good word for it you know."came Bella as she turned off the engine and got out of the car.

She went to her uncle and pecked his cheek then said," Good morning."

"Its a wonderful one. Did you even sleep last night."

"Stop worrying uncle..."

"What did we say about that name."he interrupted her before she finished what she was saying.

"Sorry. But I did sleep for an hour"

John looked at her without saying anything and she chucled. Deep down John felt Bella's pain in him but Bella never wanted to talk about it so he never had her talk about it. She sometimes sat by herself in her room and sobbed all night. In the morning John would always look at her and not help but feel pity for her for nine good years.

"So what's for breakfast 'John'."she said this and chuckled.

John only watched as she passed and went to the living-c*m-dining room. Breakfast had already been served and she ate quietly.

"Always the chef John. Always the chef"

"And don't forget these " John told her as he handed her a round bag. She took it and unzipped it. Inside was a lunch box and her favourite doll which to her it brought good vibes. She pecked her uncle good bye and left for her car.

Her uncle was happy to see her do the thing that made her happy.