The Pen Warriors – Post #15

Read the previous chapters here:

Prologue || #1 || #2 || #3 || #4 || #5|| #6 || #7 || #8 || #9 || #10 || #11 || #12 || #13

Too Late For Atonement – Chapter 14

Just when she was wondering how to react to the news of her father’s death, her phone rang.
Oh the travel agent, she said to herself picking up the phone.
“Yes, Jennifer speaking”
After a pause she said, “Yes send the ticket here as soon as possible.” and hung up.
She wondered whether she should make a trip to Mumbai. Her earlier reason was no more there to support her journey. She glanced around the room. Her home suddenly felt alien to her. Although her father never proved to be an ideal father but now after he had joined her mother in heaven, she felt a strange pain in her heart. It was the pain of being an orphan. She was all alone in the land of strangers. There wasn’t anyone anymore to look up to.
One glance again at the diary and she knew she had to go to Mumbai. Her instincts told her that there was more than what met the eye right now.

*********

After checking in at the airport, she checked her watch. There was still half an hour to kill. It seemed as if the time had decided to go super slow when she wanted it fly double its speed. She decided to pass her time in the cafeteria. She ordered a black coffee for herself and takes the seat in the corner of the cafeteria. Black coffee was like a drug to her. She took out one the magazines she had mindlessly put in her handbag to give her some company and distract her from the thoughts of her father.
While waiting for the announcement of her flight, she aimlessly flipped the pages of the magazine Femina, sipping her black coffee. Looking at the photographs of various models she wondered if she would ever reach that level of photography. But even the thoughts of photography couldn’t hold her attention for long. But a few pages later a particular article caught her eye. It was unusual of this magazine to publish such article. This interesting yet inspiring article seemed a little out of place to Jennifer.
“Young Women Achievers of the Year”
The title said above the collage of 10 smart women pictures.
Giving a quick glance at their faces, she read on. Something finally diverted her attention. These type of articles always inspired her. She wanted to be one of those. These weren’t long interviews which bored the reader but short and crisp ones.
“Tara Dutta.. hmm.. beautiful..”, she said to herself seeing her picture aside her interview, as she moved on to read her words.
Reading her initial introduction she wondered how could Tara be so successful just at the age of 35, already a creative head. Her personality attracted her. But the words of Tara that echoed in her mind were- “Today, lots of youngsters have taken up photography as an hobby and treat it as a passion but hardly 1% of them do it any justice. For me if a photographer can capture a baby’s smile perfectly then only I will give him/her 10 on 10”. This is what she loved-clicking children, their smile said stories and their eyes opened windows to a whole new world.

“Passengers of Air India flight AI-682 are requested to proceed for the boarding.”

Flight announcement reminded her that she had a flight to board and had questions to find answers for. She picked up her magazine, bookmarking the interview, she put it back in her bag and got up to walk towards the boarding point.

*********

Flight took off at 8:15am.
She checked her watch, still two more hours to kill. She took out her ipod and plugged in her earphones. She tried to get a nap but the questions kept resurfacing and prevented her to sleep. She hasn’t slept for last 24 hours but neither the lack of sleep not the tiredness could win over the anxiety to let her escape the reality.

She took out the diary which had started it all. She looked at that picture again but it gave her no clue.

Why dad? Why you did it to us? Why you cheated on mom? She loved you all her life with all her heart still, you found her love insufficient!! Wasn’t she a good wife? Wasn’t I a good daughter? Didn’t we make a happy family?? Then why ‘her’ dad? Why?? If only I could get all these answers from you! If only!!

Tears rolled down her cheeks in desperation for answers. Her tears was the only way out her anger found.
Who could she be?? She thought again and again.
Whoever you are? You ruined my family. You are the cause of my mother’s miserable life and also her death. You will have to pay for this. You will pay for this, she resolved, tightly holding her locket, her heirloom, the one her mom had gifted her when she had turned eighteen.

“Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”

Wondering what will happen next??

Read next here: #15 || #16  || #17 || #18 || #19

Stay tuned for the ride of twists and turns that await you…….