Episode 12

Hours after Gisela left, I had called my sister and her response put me at ease and suspicious at the same time. I recalled what she said when I asked her,

"Have you been watching the news lately?"

"No Daddy!"

"Come on Jo, it's not like that."

I sat on the bed with on leg huddled up to my chest and my phone was pressed on my ear. I listened to her rants, nonetheless, I was pleased that her nonchalant reply included a NO.

"How is it then, Dad always have a pack of silly questions for me, even when he knows the answers to his questions."

"But I'm not Dad."

"You're sounding like him."

"What did you expect? I'm his daughter!" I yapped.

"I forgot thanks for reminding me." She Chuckled, while she chewed on something. "You of all people know that I don't like watching the news."

"I would advise you not to. You could- you could try seeing a movie! Yes a movie."

"You sound so weird, right now."

"Really?"

"Weirdo kind of weird."

"I'm learning from you, remember?"

"What?"

"Don't act as if you don't know, The last time you came home. You were acting Weird and all gloomy. You think I wouldn't notice? huh!"

"I uh- um- can I call you back?"

"Sure, but-"

She dropped the call, cutting me mid-sentence. I looked strangely at the phone and the closet, "What is she keeping from me?"

That, I presumed, was a discussion for another day. For now the only thing in my head was to know everything the media was saying about me. I did not say a word to my parents, although I was tempted to.

I thought of talking to someone. Ma'am Eunice was still upset with me and Diogo, who had promised to visit the previous day, did not show up. I was too afraid of going out, because, the judgy eyes on me, might ignite a rage in me which would be uncontrollable.

That evening, I was washing the dishes, when I heard a knock on the door. To my surprise, it was Diogo.

"I wasn't expecting you."

"I should have kept my promise." He said, before stepping in.

I could see the stress written all over him and I could tell, he came straight from work. His ash coloured short sleeved shirt, had sweat maps and his strained face, needed a warm wash.

I often wondered why Diogo was still single at 32. Well it's not in my place to ask him that, instead, I limited our conversation to what concerned me.

"Thanks for coming anyway."

"Keren, There's something I want to tell you, but promise me you won't flare-up."

All my nerves were stationed towards him, and my ears stood with all eagerness to receive the message.

"Please seat," I offered him the armchair, "give me a second." I rushed to my room and back with a paper in my hand. I bent over and spread it on the centre table.

After taking a glance he sighed, "Umm- that's what I wanted to tell you."

"I was told it was on TV last night."

"Yes, I watched it."

"Why are they doing this to me?!" I slouched into the couch and kept up my query, "Is it not enough that they took my parents away from me. Why turn the table against me? it's not fair!"

"Keren, listen."

"I can't even go out because everyone is staring at me as if I'm a witch. Everyone thinks my family commited the worst crime because we were fugitives. What else do they want from me?!"

"Keren stop all the screaming! I'm not the media!"

At once I seized my rant, swallowed hard and folded my hands in defiance. He was right, I should be screaming at the media or the government, how cynical of me.

"No matter how loud you scream, it doesn't change the fact." His empathetic voice set a calm into my very being and all I could do was gaze at him.

"There is, however, something you can change; your attitude towards your situation. Leave the fight, the talk, the government, the media, because, being bitter and hateful will only destroy you. Always remember that, your situation is not the worst. I'm not a good advisor, bear with me."

I was still silent, when he came over, held my hands, looking into my damp eyes and concluded,

"You are in your prime. Get a life. All this hurting will fade one day but you can never get your youth back. More challenges will come, thus, you have to be ready to overcome each, at the same time, maintaining your joy. So, do things that makes you elated, chase your dreams, meet people, make friends and be happy."

An unusual reflex propelled me to hold him in an embrace. I held him tightly absorbing the strength and the positive vibes.

"Thank you Diogo." I muttered. "I just want to happy, I don't want to feel so empty and alone. I just want to-"

"shh," He shushed me, "you are never alone."

I knew what I needed to do. I realized that truly, there was nothing I could do to shun the media. I hoped that one day, I would be a journalist and I would speak the truth.

I would tell the real stories and let the world see what none would let them see. I was determined to get a grip of my emotions, 'get a life', make friends and be happy.

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