LET’S GO TO INDIA

Linda opens the door and takes a peep at her father, he is still sleeping beautifully and peacefully. At a point, she hopes that the sleep can actually heal him of his terrible illness. She gently closes the door after checking on him for the seventh time that morning. She takes a deep breath while leaning in the door. "I guess, it is what is it now." She whispers to herself and walks down to the sitting room. She sees the two young ladies in which her mom had employed to always monitor her, doing some cleaning and arranging.

"Good morning ma'am." Maria greets as she stops her cleaning and faces Linda.

"Good morning madam, how was your night?" Emily greets with a lot of smile but still cleaning.

"You both are dismissed from your duties henceforth." Linda whispers bluntly ignoring the greetings.

"What?" The girls asks in shock and disbelief.

"You heard right, pack your things and go this very instant. I already sent a token amount of money to your various accounts. I am sure it will help you sustain till you get another job." She replies and is about to return upstairs when Maria's words stopped her.

"What?" Maria asks in frustration. "Just like that? You just dismiss people from work just like that?"

"But ma'am, have we done anything to wrong or offend you in any way?" Emily asks sadly.

"No, you didn't." Linda replies bluntly and is about to go upstairs when Maria's words stops her again.

"You Good for nothing idiot!!!" Maria hurls at Linda.

"Maria! Stop it!" Emily cautions in a very low tone.

"Let me talk!" Maria retorts angrily and faces Linda back in rage. "You and your mother really think poor people aren't humans right?" She asks and scoffs immediately. "How can you just dismiss us from work when you know this is our only source of livelihood? How do you expect us to take care of our parents and pay our younger siblings school fees?"

"Don't get on my nerves woman. Just pack your things and leave, I already told you I sent you some money-"

"You really don't know how if feels, do you?" Maria asks with tears. "Do you know how frustrating it is to live your life as a maid? When you are being scolded for someone else's crimes and mistakes?"

"Maria please stop now!" Emily nags softly again.

"I don't know how it feels, but I know it isn't easy. That is why I am asking you to leave now! While you can." Linda sighs.

"You should have at least be considerate." Maria says sternly.

"You should be happy the only problem you have is money." Linda whispers. "I have money, lots of it, but I don't have peace. Never for once!"

Emily and Maria were shocked to their vain, not because Linda told them she had no peace of mind but because she is being so sincere with what she is saying at the moment and is even almost crying.

Maria is now regretting her actions but didn't what to show it. "I will leave now". She whispers.

"Live well Ma'am." Emily whispers too.

"Thank you." Linda says with a nod and tears drops off her eyes but she immediately cleans it off. "Thank you for everything." She murmurs.

"Stop crying Ma'am." Emily whispers and hugs her.

Maria feels so guilty of Linda shedding tears for the first time in their presence but she didn't want to show her remorsefulness. Instead, she walks out calmly.

*********************

Linda watches all her workers leave the house with their luggages. She holds the gate and tears couldn't stop rolling off her eyes as she waves them a good bye. "I will miss you all." She murmurs to herself.

Soon as her ex workers are out of sight, she locks the gate and walks back upstairs to check on her father again and thankfully he is already awake. He just sits at the edge of the bed and stares at nothing. "Dad." Linda calls as she enters and sits next to him.

"Linda." Paul calls calmly and looks at his daughter. "I am already forgetting everything and everyone." He whispers sadly.

Linda holds his hands tightly and whispers. "All you need is a good rest. I am sure you will be fine after then."

"A time will come that I won't even remember you anymore." Paul whispers still looking at his daughter. "A time will come that I wouldn't even know who I am anymore."

"No." Linda shakes her head. "I am your daughter, you will never forget me for any reason."

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yes." She nods with a fake smile. "A lot of things had happened in this family, and it greatly ruined our father to daughter relationship. I will like us to make up for it now." She smiles. "I promise not to club, or take drugs anymore. I will also stop having tats and going to the gym. I will be the perfect daughter you needed and wanted."

"Really?" Paul asks with interest.

"Yes." Linda nods holding back her tears.

"Thank you." He says and hugs his daughter too. "Make sure you live a good life. No matter what, do not ever think of taking people's life. Do all the things you want to do and live boldly."

"I am not doing all of these without you." Linda whispers still stuck in the hug.

Paul gently draws away from his daughter and smiles. "Why don't we travel out of the country together? To a calm and very peaceful country."

"Which country do you have in mind father?"

"India." Paul answers bluntly with a very broad smile.

"Why India?" Linda asks again.

Paul laughs briefly. "I have actually dreamt of taking my entire family there just for fun." He sighs. "But as you can see now, your mother isn't part of my family, you are all I have left Linda."

"Speaking of my mom." Linda says and looks around. "Where is she by the way? I can't seem to find her anywhere."