Victoria Part 2

Jules: (before I could say anything, Jules blurted out holding Victoria) YOUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT A BOTHER! DON'T EVER THINK SO LOW ABOUT YOURSELF!! (She shouted at the top of her voice while tearing up again) You are not a bother….you are special….you are the kind hearted warm Victoria who loves to act like a teacher and scold us everyday….(water rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she shock Victoria violently) Don't listen to what others say! You are special to us! (She said while looking at me as I nodded slightly in agreement)

Victoria: (her lips trembled and vision started getting blurry as she breaks down again while sobbing hugging Jules tightly) Thank you! It…it means a lot….(she buries her face on Jules' chest)

"Look how the table has turned" The mature Victoria is crying like a child and the childish Jules is consoling her like a mother, wish I had a camera with me to capture their embarrassing moment.

Victoria: (she bite her lower lip letting go of Jules as she sat down at the other end of the roof trying to calm herself) My father….he started having an affair with his secretary since last year's Christmas celebration (she continues) Each night he used to return drunk and curse me saying that my face reminded him of my mother, though he never tried to harm me physically, his words were like poison. I always tried my best to be an understanding child…yet….(her lips trembled as she tried holding back her tears) They are finally getting a divorce and my mother took my custody because my father doesn't want to take responsibility…he said that he wants to break free of this toxic relationship and doesn't want to see any remaining objects in his house that belongs to my mother….he called me an object….his own flesh and blood….(she dug her nails on her skin feeling frustrated)

'Object', even though my father hates me, because he is reminded of his own naïve self looking at my face, but he has never called or treated me as an object, my jaw hardened thinking about the mistreatment that Victoria received from the so-called sperm donor, my mother says that we should treat every human beings with respect, no matter who that person is, so how can a father call his own child an object? I felt a light tap on my shoulder as I looked at Jules who was standing beside me, 'Since when she is standing here?' she touched my hand staring in my eyes worried. It was at this moment I realised that it wasn't Victoria who was digging her nails in her skin but rather it was me, there were scratch marks on my pale skin with a slight amount of blood sparkling from the fresh wound. "Wait….since when was I hurting myself?...." I felt confused, why did I fail to experience pain?... It didn't make sense to me, I moved away from Jules rubbing my fingers against my forehead, everything was getting on my nerves now….I wanted to beat the shit out of Victoria's dad but it wasn't my family's matter.

Jules : (she took a deep breath then sat down beside Victoria stroking her head like an elder sister) So, what's next?... (She asked concerned)

Victoria: (she licked her dried up lips to moisturize them, hesitating before finally opening up) So…I am shifting to Germany, within this month…my mother is currently staying in a hotel. After the divorce proceeding will be over, she will take me from here. I will finally get to meet my younger sister after 2 years….(a small smile curled up over her lips thinking about her sister as she blushed slightly) But…. Unfortunately ….this will be the last time I am sitting around and chatting with you two….(her red eyes started getting watery again)

Jules: (instead of being sad, she looked at Victoria delighted and curious at the same time) wait, where exactly in Germany?

Victoria: (she looks at Jules bit confused) uhm….Lübeck…why?

Jules : (she hugs Victoria excitedly while speaking at a rapid pace) Lübeck?!!! Guess what! I am also going there! Oh gosh I was so worried how to tell you guys that I am shifting from here! (She looks at Victoria then towards my direction) my aunt told me that I should go to Germany because my cousin brother is currently staying there…she wants us to stay close to each other and my cousin brother is also pestering me since forever….but I didn't know how you both will react so I was trying to postpone it, but now that Victoria is also going then it means that I don't need to postpone anymore. (She rubs her cheek against Victoria happily)

Victoria: (she blushed slightly feeling light hearted and finally a bright smile spread over her face) that means we don't need to be separated? We would be together? It makes me so happy….(her eyes sparkled, this time with happiness)

I don't understand….why is my chest feeling tight at the thought of them leaving?....instead of being happy about them…I felt something weird…is this jealousy?...or fear?...it's the same emotion that surrounded me years ago when Maria was about to leave. Human emotions are complicated, just a moment ago I was having sympathy towards Victoria's problem, now I am feeling pathetic towards my own situation. "What will happen to me…if they leave?" I put my hands inside my pockets to act cool but deep inside my brain there was an ongoing turmoil which made me feel restless. I felt two pairs of eyes staring at me, as I looked at their direction regaining my composure.

Victoria: Anne…are you alright? (She asked feeling concerned)

Jules : What about you Anne? What are you planning to do?...Stay here or….(she asked bluntly without giving a thought)

Me : Actually I am also going to Germany. (I smiled looking at them)

"Wait…what am I even saying?" This is not right, why am I lying without any reason? It's not that I have any problem lying, but why in this situation? Am I that lonely and desperate?...That too for these people whom I hardly know?

Victoria: Really?... You are also coming to Lübeck? (She raised her brow enquiring)

Jules: (she grinned happily) Isn't it great?! This must be fate! Three of us together in a new place starting a new phase of our life. (She clapped her hands together feeling excited)

Victoria: (she smiled satisfied) I am glad that we would be together in this. You don't know how much relief I am feeling right now….(she walks up to me and hugs me tightly) Thank you for everything… (her voice almost choked up but she regained her composure) I am grateful for having such good friends in my life. Anyways….it's getting late, I should return now…have a goodnight both of you (she said before motioning towards the exit door)

I looked at Jules while placing my index and middle fingers against my lips to gesture her, she hurried through her pockets pulling out a cigarette and lighter, I pressed the cigarette against my lips and used the lighter to light the cigarette then inhaled a long puff trying to relax myself.

Jules : (she fidgeted her fingers while glancing at me) Uhm…Anne….(she hesitated wanting to tell me something) Nevermind….have a goodnight…. And thank you for everything… (she smiled before walking off)

I crooked my eyebrows feeling irritated, "What should I do now…" this question crossed my mind as I stood near the roof edge looking down at the streetlights….I took another puff before pulling out the cigarette from my lips and exhaling the smoke to relax myself. What's done cannot be undone….it leaves me no other choice but to go with the flow….who knows what waits for me in Germany….maybe it will change my life, either good or bad, it will be part of my fate….will I finally feel belonged or just collect bad memories and move on? Anxiety kicked my adrenaline, but the cigarette helped me remain calm. I grabbed my phone from my pants pocket and dialled the numbers as the phone started ringing…." Mom…. please pick up the call….I need you.."

Voice: Hello….this is Elizabeth residence…sorry no one is currently available, please leave a voice message.

To be continued...