SOME MINUTES LATER**
“You’ve to stay here, okay?” His mother smiled. Newton sighed and looked around.
“Don’t be like this? Sit. Don’t worry I scrubbed the floor and wall hard. Can’t you see how good it looks. Awwn! It’s smells nice too” Mrs Nelson formed a weak smile.
“Mum.. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for hiding and seeing him just hurt you. I wish we could both do something” He cried slowly
“Hey? Why would you ever feel sorry. Just sit already–She sat him on the floor and smiled.
“Are you hungry?” She asked. Newton wiped his tears and nodded.
“Okay. Just hold on right here. I’m gonna prepare your favorite food. Okay?” His mother smiled.
“Am I gonna eat here?” He asked
“You don’t want to?” His mother asked softly.
“No. I want to. Mum, I’m gonna eat a lot and be strong for you. Don’t worry”
“Okay. Okay. Be strong for me, Son. Don’t come out even if you hear the loudest scream. Just keep the door shut. Ahh! In case you hear loud cries and screams. Always, switch on the showers. Make sure it’s on the highest volume”
“Why?” He asked tearing up again. His mother sighed and bent down.
“So you would’nt hear nothing. If you switch on the showers. Look at this picture–She paused and brought out a beautiful picture of her, and her son. Newton forced a chuckle seeing it.
“I remember when we took this” He whispered.
“Yeah. Son, it’s beautiful. You just have to look at this in the showers and say wh@ťěver you wished to say to me. I’m gonna hear it”
“Mum? How are you gonna even hear it? It’s just a picture. More like a piece of paper. It might get torn after getting soaked in the shower” He replied looking down.
“Abracadabra! Woosh! Now, I just made a strong magic. This picture won’t be ripped even after strong showers, So.. Don’t get worried. Mum has to go and cook you something good. Please, Do remember–She sighed and cleaned the tears falling down his cheeks.
…..Never open this door and if you hear my voice, even if it’s painful, filled with pain, agony or pity. You have to just “On down” the Showers”
“Mum? What if dad hears the showers and come here to find me?”
“No need for any worries. Its walls, ceiling and floor are pure sound proofed”
Newton looked at her and suddenly, busted into tears.
“Hey? Don’t be a cry baby! I thought you were being all tough to my friend earlier. Look at you now, Such a feeble heart” His mother smiled
“She isn’t your friend. I don’t like her” He sniffed wiping his tears.
“Okay.. Okay.. She isn’t my friend anymore… Newton, You haven’t answered me yet. Will you heed to what I told you to?” She smiled
“I will” He replied forcing a smile.
“Good boy.Good boy. Now, Wait, okay.. I’m gonna prepare your favorite food!” She gushed and stood up. Newton sighed deeply as he closed the door slowly.
Immediately the door closed, A little tear ran down her eyes. She felt sad already. She just wanted to pretend she was fine and okay in front of her only son.
Mrs Nelson tasted the soup in her opened palm with the tip of her tongue. She shaked her head and added a spoonful of salt. She tasted it again and made a satisfactory smile.
She made lots of appetizing side dishes. Beef and pork chops were also included. She took her time because it wasn’t time for her husband to leated. He pushed her to the floor and laid on her body, right on her wounded stomach. He started giving her strong blows. All she did was yell and cry since pleading was like pouring water on a rock.
He stood up from her and walked around, opening doors and searching for the stranger, and so-called lover boy with the knife still tightly held on his hand. He was so furious already. He walked back to the kitchen and met Mrs Nelson trying to stand upright. He shouted loudly like he was nuts and ran like a thunder bolt towards her.
He stabbed the knife deeply into her stomach. She coughed and blood spilled from her mouth freely. He pushed her away and ran off with his girl. He didn’t care or think of a second option. He just left like he was being chased by lots of police men.
Newton was in the bathroom crying loudly, He had heard the first loud cry and switched on the showers. His mother was right. He didn’t hear anything. He felt hurt though. He couldn’t do anything.
He nearly jumped in fear when he heard a loud knock on the door. He was scared to open it.
“It’s me” His mother voice was weak, but clear. He sighed in relief and opened the door.
But to his greatest surprise, His mother wasn’t the same again. She was dull,wounded, disfigured, beaten, and stabbed!!
“Mummmm!!” He yelled. She slowly entered the bathroom groaning. She fell down hard on the tiled floor. Newton held her close, staring at her from where she laid on his legs.
“Mum? Wake up?” He tapped her as the showers continued flowing.
Her eyes opened weakly.
“I’m sorry for not preparing the dish–She paused and touched his face,cleaning the running tears.
….But don’t worry, You can come to the bathroom any time you want to think of me. Switch on the showers for a cool sensation and imagine us together happy since we never got to be happy in real life” Her voice kept getting low and softer.
“Mum? Please. Stop saying such! Please!, Nothing is gonna happen to you” He yelled crying loudly.
“I’m also sorry you had to lose your mother in a weird place like that” She forced a smile as her eye lids closed slowly and gently. Her hand dropped.
“Mum!! Mum!!” He yelled shaking her virgously. It was too late. She was dead, gone!.
“Noooooo!” He cried as he squeezed the picture on his clenched fists. He ran outside without thinking. He just wanted to be with his mum and to do that, He had to go along?.
He didn’t care!! He was going to do it! He ran to the Han River and inhaled deeply. He quickly climbed the bridge edge and looked at the huge wide river. It was so mighty! He closed his eyes as the gentle breeze touched his face. He spread his arms and inhaled again with tears still streaming down his cheeks
He took his first step when he–
“Stop!!!!” He heard a loud voice interrupting him from going any further. He turned behind and met a student, a 17 year old.
“What are you trying to do? Hey!! Suicide isn’t an option!” The student yelled adjusting the bag strap.
“What do you know? Mind your business!” He yelled coldly.
“Aiish! What an annoying jerk. Even at this moment, He had to be this cold?? Hey!! Come down! It’s best you think before you act” The student said with a demonstration. Newton looked at the student and bent his neck in confusion. He couldn’t help but stare.
“Why are you staring at me?” The student asked breathing heavily after running miles to stop Newton .
“Who are you? No… What are you? A boy or a girl?” He finally asked
“What?–The student paused, stared at her short school skirt and rubbed her short dark hair with her palm.
“I’m a girl” The student finally responded wearing a cute smile. Newton looked at her and blinked his eyes nervously and couldn’t help but smile too.
“A Beautiful Tomboy With A Beautiful Smile” He whispered as he looked from the bridge top down to her.
TBC