Fire And Flame

Joseph was waiting for his elder sister in her room, sitting on her study chair. He looked at the files, stacked over another.

'Scary' Joseph thought to himself.

Even though he admired his sister for being a successful woman, he still disliked paperwork. Analysing his interests by noting down on a piece of paper, he came to a conclusion that he would go for the Human Resource field. He loved communicating with people and handle the matters of an organisation.

Being an HR comes with huge responsibility. Alongside, he could handle a few paperwork if needed. He was still a young man in his late teens. There was so much to see and learn from his sister.

Laura was about to turn the doorknob of the bedroom but found that it was already opened. She stepped inside the room when she noticed little Joseph yawning. No matter how tall he gets, he would still be the baby little Joe for Laura.

"Stop yawning. It's not even the time to sleep, Joe." Laura went to place her office bag on the table.

"Laura! You are finally here!" Joseph hugged Laura.

"I am sorry. Let us have dinner tonight. We will order something from outside. Or do you want to go eat outside? Like a family dinner in a restaurant?" Laura petted his head while he was still hugging her.

"I have been outside for seven years now, Laura. I want to stay at home." There was a hint of sadness in his voice. But Laura could sense how badly little Joe must have missed his family. Staying alone in another country wasn't easy for the little human.

"How about we cook something delicious together for dinner? Let us invite Uncle K and his family too!" Joe stood up suddenly as this idea hit his mind. And once again, Laura stood short in front of her giant brother.

"Aren't you just eighteen years old? Look at you!" Laura rolled her eyes when Joseph patted her head, showing off how tall he is. Such a bully.

"All thanks to dad! You got mom's genes I guess? She was tall among girls but short compared to dad." Laura laughed with Joe but then smiled as they sighed. Thirteen years have passed, memories are still fresh. As if Lauren and Kiara were alive just yesterday. Joseph had a sharp memory and remembered everything till date. One might feel sad about the loss, but one must move on in life.

Laura remembered a saying her father used to say when she was young.

"Inorder to become successful, forget that you have a family for the time being." These words may sound weird to some but only Laura knew what her father meant. Laura used to complain that her father never stayed with her and family for the most part of the year. They weren't a normal family for her as she used to see how her friends used to live with both their parents. Due to the job, Lauren had to sail almost half a year and stay at home for the rest of the year. But one day he told his story to Laura which changed her thought process.

"You know, Laura? I was sent off to a military school when I was only eight years old. My father wanted to give me, his eldest son, a proper education as we hailed from a comparatively poor background. I still remember the day I was selected to join the school as I had scored well in the entrance exam. It all happened so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to see my mother and siblings back at home as I was asked to join the hostel[1] right after I had a talk with the principal. My father placed all my belongings and asked my fellow roommates to show me the campus if time permits. It was time for my father to leave. He promised me that he would see me again soon. But, he never mentioned how long his 'soon' was. I being the eldest son was pampered by my mother and grandparents. I cried and hugged my father. I saw him leave. I stood in front of the window as I cried silently looking at the distancing figure of my father. But he never turned back to say goodbye again. I waited for days, the days turned into weeks and the weeks into a month. There were no signs of any of my family members. I cried every night because I was still an eight-year old small boy who wished to live with his family. But one day, while I was sleeping in the afternoon, I felt someone stroked my head. I dreamt of my mother as she used to stroke my head to make me fall asleep. I was scared of waking up because I didn't want the dream to end anytime soon. But then I felt someone tickled my feet. I woke up to see my mother and my whole family standing in front of me. I rubbed my eyes just to be sure that the scene in front of me wasn't a dream. I looked at my mother and hugged her tightly, afraid that she would leave me again. We all talked and laughed. But again, it was time for them to leave.

After everyone left, my father came to me and said, 'You know why I didn't come to see you, Lauren?' I looked at his eyes wanting him to answer.

'To make you strong. If I had come to see you every day, you would have not adjusted yourself well in here. You would have hoped for your family to meet you everyday. How would you focus on your studies if you keep feeling homesick? Remember one thing, to become successful in life, forget that you have a family. Family can be your strength and also a reason for your downfall. Downfall because you won't leave your family behind to take a successful step ahead in your life because of homesickness and strength because you will have to return to us after becoming successful in your life. You will still have a home and your family to return to.'

I worked hard, studied hard to not let my faily's hopes down. The man I am is because of the saying my father had told me. And now, I have passed it on to you. Half of my life, I have lived away from my family."

Little Laura was so touched by the story that she jumped to hug her father and said, "The man you are today, no ordinary man shall be. I am proud of you, dad!"

-hostel: dormitory