Johanna slammed the front door behind her and took a seat on the bench by the porch. The moon hung over the lake on a warm night. She took off her black strappy heels and stared right ahead at a couple not too far from her. The place looked beautiful as the garden was decorated with colourful balloons. It looked romantic everywhere as it was her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. “Hanna, go back inside,” Johanna’s brother, Joel called out to her when he found her on the bench.
“Do it without me.” “Come on, this is supposed to be a happy gathering,” Joel sat down next to his sister. “Yeah maybe for grandma and grandpa,” Johanna pointed out. “You should go back inside. Take the photo without me.” “It is a family photo,” Joel corrected her. “I don’t care,” Johanna folded her arms. “Do you want to tell me what is going on with you?” “No. Just go away.”
“Fine be like that but remember this is grandparents’ special day,” Joel stood up. “Today is not about you. I hope you will come in soon because the last thing you want to do is disappoint your loved ones.” Johanna stared at the floor after Joel went back into the house. There were many guests that night as it was a huge celebration.
It was a good weather and everything was going so well. Johanna hated such occasions because she attended too many of it. It felt endless, ranging from going to strangers’ wedding or parties just because she was born into a well-known family. That also explained the reason to her opportunity of being in that huge house, overlooking the lake.
“I hate this,” Johanna uttered, frustration in her voice. “I’m sorry?” a young man noticed her. “Oh, I thought I was alone,” Johanna blushed out of embarrassment. “I am just taking some fresh air too,” he said. “I am Dave.” “Johanna,” she introduced herself but her eyes were fixed on the floor. “You know, what your brother said is true,” Dave pointed out.
“The one about disappointing your loved ones.” Hearing that, Johanna turned to look at Dave. She realized he was in a uniform which meant that Dave was one of the employees for that night’s event. With his white shirt and matching black trousers and vest, Johanna knew he was a waiter. She didn’t need advice from anyone, especially from a waiter. “If I need your advice, I will look for you,” Johanna became defensive and spoke her mind.
“You don’t have to be like that. I am just advising you.” “Well, I didn’t ask for it. I am sure you need that mind to serve guests. Why are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be working?” “I am just taking a break and I thought -,” Dave paused realizing he didn’t need to say anything else. Sometimes, silence is golden. “You know what, never mind. I made a mistake. Sorry for disturbing you.”
“Wait,” Dave was about to go back into the house when Johanna stopped him. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I have problems and I should know better than to take it out on others especially you, who tried to help,” Johanna apologized. “Come sit next to me.” “Okay,” Dave did what was told. From where he sat, Johanna’s floral perfume filled his nostrils. “Taking family photos is a good thing. Everyone should learn to cherish their loved ones. Just because we think they do, that doesn’t necessarily make it true. Sometimes all you can do is to grab a hold of the past with all your might and wish that it can stay that way forever. You know what I am saying?” “No,” Johanna shook her head. “Two years ago, my little sister passed. She was only nine years old. There was an accident and she stayed nine forever. Just like your family, we took photos yearly.
We stopped taking photos as a family after my sister’s passing because it is different without her. The family is no longer complete. I used to hate taking family photos because it meant I had to cancel plans with my friends. Every year was the same. Today, I wish there is still a family photo session because it will mean that my sister is still with us. Only memories are left behind.” “I’m sorry for your loss,” Johanna let out a sad smile.
“I heard that you were supposed to go to a friend’s party and although it is much more exciting than this, this is family.” “What are you trying to say?” “Go in there. Don’t let your loved ones wait. They want family photos, let them have it. Stand up tall and smile pretty. It will only take a few minutes, anyway. No one is guaranteed forever, so you make the best out of such situation and remember it in years to come. Sometimes this is all we have to hold on too. You should go in now.”
“Will you still be here when I am done?” “I will be around,” Dave nodded. Carina Lim bears different messages through her fiction. These messages could be useful in life. She can be contacted at mermaidgal03@ yahoo.com
