Their Own World

On a gorgeous winter evening, an old, glee couple resided amongst the clouds on the peak of a mountain. A tiny yellow cottage with grey hay atop. It looked like one of those fairy tale huts, so very cozy. One would wish to live there for eternity. The cottage felt like home. For everyone who visited, it had this magical touch, this addiction, this craving to want more, to stay there for everlasting centuries. To live there, grow there, grow old there, and die there. The old couple had been blessed for the past deeds that they had this golden opportunity to reside there.

One sunny morning, Victoria, the old lady, and Crew, the old man, were seated on the veranda. They were sipping a mug of freshly brewed coffee. Crew knew how his wife liked her coffee. He would make it special every morning. Their bond was magical and enlightening. They valued each other so much. They were like two parts of a whole. One would die without another. There was no place for someone else in their hearts: a happy little couple, comfortable in their little cottage, all alone, all peaceful.

“It’s another lovely day, isn’t it.” said Crew. “Oh, yes, dear,” Victoria smiled back. Their heads lay back on their cushion seats. A little rustle was perceived behind the bush. A small girl, about 14 years of age, emerged from there. Crew and Victoria jumped a bit because of the sudden presence of the little girl. But extended a warm conversation. Victoria asked, “What, I mean, how did you manage to reach up here, little girl?” She had her charming, very comfortable smile on like always. The little girl replied, trembling, “Miss- I-I really don’t know. I r-ran away fr-from the orphanage.” Crew managed to get up, his legs slightly wobbling due to his age. “Oh, dear girl, what has happened to you, how long has it been since you’ve run away? Please come in and have a piece of cheesecake. Wait though, what’s your name, my dear.” Confusion was visible on her face. Victoria chuckled at her husband’s impatience. Victoria spoke again, “What’s your name, little girl.” “Hazel” she produced in the sweetest voice.

The couple welcomed her inside, expecting her to stay for a week. Victoria gave her a mini tour of the minimalist house, cozily decorated with plants and freshly polished teak wood furniture. The house consisted of 2 rooms. The master bedroom was perfect. A big comfortable cushion sofa that engulfed a person right into it, sucking all the tiredness away, making the person relaxed. The bed had a canopy and a seat adjacent to the window.

The room given to Hazel was smaller. A queen size bed, with white polish, with golden designs. A nightstand with a warm lamp and a mirror sliding door. The conical trees and fluffy clouds were visible from the vast window provided beside the bed.

Crew and Victoria were happy with their lives. They did not want to accept change. They believed that a change would ruin the happy surroundings they had taken years to achieve. They were satisfied with each other. They didn’t want anything more or less. Or so they thought. Little did they know that Hazel living with them would change their lives drastically.

They offered Hazel some ramen and allowed her to sit with them on the veranda. They talked about Hazel’s stay at the orphanage as well as her parents, who left her alone in this cruel world. Sympathy arose in their hearts. But they would not let this little girl live here and supposedly destroy the little world that they had created on their own. But was this girl running their lives?

Every morning she was a tiny monster. Victoria would go up to her room and try to wake her up; Hazel would end up screaming and kicking Victoria’s nose. Frustrated, she let the girl sleep. Hazel would wake up at noon and head for the kitchen. She would shabbily rummage through the drawers. In the evenings, all three would sit together and watch television. They laughed and had lovely conversations. Crew and Victoria despised her a bit, however. She changed their daily routine. When Crew watered the plants, she would turn off the hose. And when he pointed it to himself, she’d turn it on; Crew thoroughly drenched! She was very notorious.

Victoria and Crew had reached the peak of their annoyance. They could not bear it anymore. One afternoon, after lunch. Victoria summoned the members for a talk. She and Crew spoke about how they despised the little girl and how she had ruined their lives. They were happy before she entered their lives. They had a colossal headache because of her. The little girl broke down, realizing she was all alone. Without pondering for even a second, she grabbed her bags and ran away, teary-eyed.

It had been days since Hazel left. Victoria and Crew went back to living how they were. They both knew they wanted this. Victoria’s morning felt empty, and so did Crew’s gardening sessions. The fun was sucked out of their lives. This is what they wanted; why weren’t they satisfied? They both missed the supper sessions. Hazel’s giggle. They regretted everything. They wanted her back; they needed her back. Their little world had expanded. They had grown to miss her in her absence. They knew that they had wronged her.

They wished for her, and there she was.