Gabriel
1152 Words
“ * Slap * “
“ Mom! “ Alisa screamed pathetically at a middle aged lady in her early fourties. Also the one who slapped her mercilessly.
Still it didn't have the desired effect. Rather the said middle aged lady went for a second dose, feigning oblivion to the pain caused by the first.
Thankfully, a bunch of bystanders who witnessed the earlier event with the impudent lass and Alisa stepped forward and held her back.
“ June, she isn't at fault here. “
“ Yes. She was repeatedly humiliated by those scroundrels. She endured for so long until she could no longer. “
“ Thats right. As much as I could remember, it was until that scourge of a girl made reference to you that she truly got riled up and lost control. “
“ Dont blame the poor girl for this. Everyone has the right to self defence. “
They all defended Alisa. But June wasn't buying it.
“ Let go of me. Do you know my daughter more than I do. What; she was humiliated. What; self defence. What; made reference to me. She just wants a reason to fight. “ She shunned the bystanders.
Next, she returned her attention to Alisa, glaring at her with so much fury. “ How many times? How many excuses? How many more? Aren't you tired? Answer me Alisa! Aren't you?
I have told you countless times; fighting won’t bring about anything good. The ecstasy of strength is only during the battle. It fades off as soon as the battle ends, and even more so when the consequences arrives. The aftermath is always tears or pain, or both.
But you have repeatedly chosen to play deaf to my words, doing what you feel is best.
What? You like when they chant your name after a victory. When they praise you for immense strength. But would they still remain when problems come? Would they still speak nice of you when the consequences arrive. Why wouldn't you listen?
So what if they humiliate you? Can't you tolerate. If they make reference to me or any other, ignore. Negative words have no meaning except the ones we give it. Fighting isn't a display of strength, it’s simply foolishness.
Is it till you lose something significant that you would understand. ANSWER ME. “ June yelled at the top of her voice.
But Alisa didn't buy her ideas. She still persisted in her defence. She didn't believe she was wrong. Was she suppose to watch some set of troublemakers spout words against her parents without reacting? Wouldn't that be absurd? Thus; “ It’s not my fault, I tried… They… “, she gave explanation another shot.
Alas, it only got June a lot more angrier. “ Still giving excuses. Why won't you listen? “ June exclaimed.
“ I… “
“ Enough. Leave my sight. “
“ Mom… “
“ I said LEAVE. “
“ FINE! “ Alisa yelled, then ran out of the shop in agony.
“ June… “
“ Let me be. “.
“ June, it’s me… “
“ I said you should let me be… “
“ June, … “
“ Didn’t you hear me, I said let me… Wait! “ That voice sounds strangely familiar. It sounded familiar, but distant in time. June pondered.
Tilting her head to the spot the voice originated from, she found a handsome middle age man seated on a chair. His gaze peered at her’s with a warm glint, and his expression had a smile plastered on it.
That face… Why does it look so familiar? Why did the voice cause her heart to pause a bit?
Straining her sight to get a clearer view. ‘ Isn’t that… Gabriel. ‘ June covered her mouth in a mixture of both shock and pain. Tears spilled.
‘ So he is still alive. ‘
Seeing her state, the middle aged man stood and walked up to her. Though his face lacked tears, it wasn't any less pathetic than her’s.
“ We are closed for the day. “ June said to the already annoyed customers who were furious at her due to the treatment she gave to Alisa. But she paid them no heed.
Without waiting for a reply from them, she grabbed Gabriel hand and led him to the stall’s inner room.
A few hours after, when dusk had long dawned. June and Gabriel sat opposite each other, with the only obstacle between them being a table.
The more they discussed, the more jovial the atmosphere became. June could often be seen letting out chuckles.
“ So what are you on to now? “ June asked.
“ Well, I had a school back at California. But I recently sold it since I was relocating. “ Gabriel explained.
“ Relocating? To where. Why not remain there. I heard California is a good place to live in. “ June advised. But his next words caused her to pause.
“ Back home. “.
“ … “. Silence. Then laughter. Sarcastic laughter that caused Gabriel to give a wry smile.
“ So you do know where home is. “ June spoke.
“ I always did and always will do. “ He replied.
“ Then why come back just now. Gabriel, how many years has it been. Do you know the pain you caused us? Why did you even leave in the first place? “ June ranted emotionally.
“ I can't say. “ He replied.
“ So why are you back? “ June asked.
“ … “
“ You can't say this too. “
“ No, I don't know. I guess no place like home. “ He spoke with a tone displaying his long accumulated loneliness.
Though June still had a lot to say relating to the topic, she choose to take a step back after sensing the intense emotion within his tone. ‘ Maybe no one had it going well. ‘.
“ Sorry for the farce you witnessed back at my stall. “ June changed the topic.
“ No problems. Besides, I think you might have been a little too harsh on her. “ Gabriel claimed.
“ You won’t understand. “ replied June.
“ Elaborate then. “ Gabriel requested.
Taking a while of silence as if reminiscing on a significant memory of her’s, June placed her hand on her chin. Then she crossed the other on her chest, using it as a medium to support the former.
After the supposingly serious moment of flashback, “ I can't say. “ June suddenly spoke up, repeating the exact words Gabriel had said when she had asked a question earlier.
“ You! “
“ * Laughter * “ June burst into laughter, and Gabriel joined the drill soon enough.
Alas, the good mood was soon obliterated by Gabriel’s next words.
“ How is she? “.
“…”
“ Thought you did never ask. “
- Writer
