Madeline

I was with mom in our drawing room. She gave me a glass of water. I drank it in a go. “What happened?” She asked me. “Can ocean talk?” I asked her. My mother pretended to laugh. I knew it was a fake laugh. Nothing real. “You think? I have never heard someone say that ocean can talk. Who told you that?” She asked me. She looked surprised but I know better.

Can ocean really talk? Can it though? Or was I going insane? It could be the latter. “Yeah! Right, nobody.” I said and looked at the floor. Feeling ashamed. Feeling like she would think I have lost my mind or something. But have I? “Oh Madeline! Come here!” She said and hugged me. “I know losing your father has affected you and I should have taken care of you but. He was all I had. I did so much for him and in the end. I didn’t even get to have me a happily ever after.” She said. I could feel her pain. I could feel the feeling she might be having deep down.

“Mom! Tomorrow neighbours are bringing their doctor with them so you could get checked.” Before I could realise as to what I was saying, I just said it. “What? You think I am going insane? You think I am not well? That I can not take care of you?” The pain in her eyes was clearly seen. “I didn’t mean that.” I said in a low voice. “Then what did you mean?” “I- I meant to see if you could get some medicine to cope..” “Like I am lunatic? Do you think the society will let you live with me? Do you not think that they would take you away from me?” She asked me now slowly raising her voice.

“I merely wanted help.” I whispered to myself. My gaze was set on my dress. On my knees and on my hands. That was when a tear fell on my hand. How many days has it been? Seven I guess. Seven days and we both are loosing our own self with dad. He was truly the only person holding us sane. “I am going to bed. Talk to you later mom. Good night.” I slowly said and left her in the drawing room alone. I could not do it. I could not let it be like this. Let it all happen like this. I need change. I need a way out of it all. I ran to my bed and started crying and screaming while dining my voice by covering my mouth with my pillow.

I needed escape. I will escape it all. I can do it.

All I wanted to do was to go in the past and get everything right. Make everything right. Get him checked before he could die and save his life. I wish I could have done that and helped him in some way. I didn’t know when sleep took over me or when I fell into a deep slumber.

Here my child! I have been waiting for you. Do you not want an escape now?

“Who are you? Are you the ocean waves? Are you the ocean itself?” I asked in an agitated voice. “I am done with you. You keep on haunting me. What is it that you want from me?” I again asked whoever it was. I was certain that it was a female but the rest was unsure to me.

Why does it matter? I am doing it all for your own good, am I not? Why do you want to know who wants to save you? If you would answer my call. Maybe I’d show you who I truly am. Because saying it will not make you believe.

“Then show me! I want to know who you really are.” I said feeling defeated and down. I didn’t know if I really wanted to know who she really was or not. But, if she is telling that she’d show me. Then I am willing to do that.

“And I don’t want you to make me sleep walk. I know it was you who did it today.” I said though I was not sure myself if it was really her who did that.

Oh! Okay! Why don’t we meet each other at the beach? Close to the ocean. There! I will meet you there.

With that, her presence was gone. Should I go and try to meet her tonight or should I wait for tomorrow? Was she gone? If I want to talk her about something would she show up? I heard a chuckle from her.

I am always here for you, Madeline. All you have to do is ask.

There she was. In my head again. I shook my head in disbelief. She was there. She promised to always be there. Hope that she’d deliver on her promise. Hope she’d not leave me like my father did. She chuckled again.

I am nothing like a human!

Yeah! I got it. She can hear my thoughts as well. She must be very powerful. The question was, should I go and see her right now or later. If I am not going to see her then I’d be thinking about her for the entire day. The mystery is too tempting for me to not solve.

If you decide to meet me today, come by the shore. I am always there.

I have decided. I am going to meet her right now and tonight. I want to see who she really is. Maybe, she might have all the answers I am looking for. If what she saying is the truth then she might know who my mother’s parents were and who killed my father’s family.

Yes! I do know the answer to that child.

I sighed. It is now or never. I took my over dressing shirt from the dresser and slowly made my way to the front door. I checked if mom was asleep. She was. Good! She might not follow me this time then.

I soon reached the shore. The water waves were dancing on the sand. Slowly touching my feet and then going back. Like it was almost telling me to chase it.

Chase it!

I heard her voice say. What? Move towards water? I took a step towards the sea and slowly making my steps forward. The cool water was almost soothing my nerves. It felt so calming to be here. Like I was one with it. Like I was in it. I closed my eyes and took a long breath. When I opened them.

The sight which I thought was lovely now looked terrifying. there stood a big wave in front of me. Before it could come crashing on me. It stoped. I opened my eyes and found a girl who was made of water standing in front of me. “You? It was you?”

Yes! It was me. I am you and you are me. We are one. You felt it didn’t you?

She said, now really speaking instead of in my head. I looked around me to find nobody, not even a soul to be there. I chuckled. “It is a lovely dream. I am meeting water.” I chuckled again.

It isn’t a dream. I am real. Hold my hand child.

She stretched out her hand to me. I took it and with my hand she dived into water. I thought I might not breathe but then I took a breath. I was able to breathe.

She then touched my forehead and I suddenly became unconscious.