The Endless Night

Chapter - 1

5th July, 2009, Montreal.

I opened my eyes as the sun glows outside the window. I propped myself up on my elbows and got rid of the blanket that's burdened on me. Even though it's summer, I love cozying up in my blanket but every morning the same thing burdens up on me.

I glanced at my clock on the writing table at the corner of my room and suddenly my eyes were wide open "Oh shoot! It's 9 already" I gasped. I jumped out of my bed and stumbled over nothing. After getting freshened up & dressed in gray shirt that says 'Made in 93', given to me by brother Jamie on my 17th birthday. I hurried downstairs.

"Good Morning Jay" I greeted Jamie on seeing him sitting on the couch with an empty quarter-plate and left over bread crumbs. "Goof Morfing" He greeted back mouth fully, his hair scattered, almost reaching his green hazel eyes.

Here is my younger brother, who just turned fifteen and He is as tall as our entrance door. He has got those majestic golden brown eyes and thick eyebrows, like that famous singer Zayn, he got most of his good looks from his handsome dad.

But Hannah looked more like mom. They both are so pretty with all the pros, no cons. Slim and tall. face that glows and full of glamour with a loud attractive voice. They're simply perfect. Mom touched her 40's but maintains herself so well that I call her Meryl Streep, no kidding. Hannah's brown hair is silkier than anyone's in my family and has charming attitude unlike me, an introvert.

I headed to the dining table feeling satisfied on seeing everything I need is already placed on the table. I took the only quarter-plate present over there and made a quick egg sandwich.

On my second bite, I saw Hannah entering the living room. On seeing me, her brows furrowed, she slammed the door behind her and walked towards me. I stopped chewing and stared at her. It was quite skeptical to see such a pretty face frowning at me. Even though we are poles apart but we have a great bonding.

She snapped "How dare you touch my breakfast!". Before I could swallow and say something, she continued "Two minutes of risking my sandwich just to attend a phone call and now I see it in your mouth huh. You're going to make me one right Now".

I sensed Jay moving towards stairs, at that moment I knew it was him who ate Hannah's breakfast. I cleared my throat and replied "No...it" without letting me complete my sentence she asked "Where on earth are you going in such a hurry, that too on Sunday?"

Suddenly I was back to my senses "Wait what! Today is Sunday??" Making a poker face I said "I thought I was late for my music class".

Hannah laughed with her head held back "I wish I never reminded you, should've just watch you leave."

"But since I did, you have to make me a sandwich" she said looking at me sternly.

I twitched my eyebrows "No, I still don't have to" I said boldly & continued finishing the leftover ignoring her.

Hannah frowned "Oh god, don't tell me it was Jay. Why didn't I guess that before? Huh". She headed towards Jamie's room at once.

"But hey, where is Mom & Dad this early?" I asked but she was already far enough to hear me anymore. Within minutes I was done with my breakfast.

Mom & Dad were back home that very moment. As soon as they entered inside, Dad greeted "Hey Stella"

"Hi Dad, hi Mom".

Mom said "Hey, we're back from grocery store" placing the plastic bags on the table, stating the obvious and also indirectly asking us to place everything in their right place by stating the obvious. Dad gave me a surprised look upon seeing me dressed-up and ready to go "Are you going somewhere?" Surprised because I don't normally go out with friends on sundays. It's a resting day for introverts.

"Nope, but I was about to" I shrugged. "I was just out of my mind to think that it was Monday" I muttered under my breath.

Mom laughed at me "Oh, poor you". Dad went to the Sofa while laughing at me & sat there watching News. Within a moment Hannah was back in the living room forcing Jamie towards dining table. "What's going on?" asked Mom.

Hannah complained "Jay ate my breakfast this time. *It was me the last time* Now please mum don't give me a lecture on 'sacrificing things for siblings' or 'being generous to siblings'. They both are getting on my nerve."

"Why do you have to have same sausage preference that I have?" Jamie remarked and kept grinning while he enjoyed annoying Hannah.

"Ok dear, I won't but you do have to come over here and help me out". Mom smiled while arranging all the grocery to it's place. "Ugh" Hannah joined mum.

Dad got a call. He turned towards us & gestured to be silent. "It's from England" he said on seeing the number. Picked up the call & said "Hello" casually. His expressions changed. After a long pause he found his voice back "H-how did it... happen?" There was a sudden change in his voice. "I-I'll be there... as soon as possible" he said with a broken voice, fighting the emotions and then hung up.

Room was silent. We all waited for dad to speak. "PAPA...My dad... He is not alive anymore!" Daddy said with extreme grief.

We all were left there in shock and confusion,

He gained back his strength and spoke again "Papa was ill lately.., And have been moved to the hospital day before yesterday. H-his soul left h-him this... morning." Dad let out a tear "I-I should have... been there for h..." he broke out. Mom instantly embraced him saying "May he rest in peace, don't worry he is in the better place now".

It was a depressing moment for all of us.

It reminded me of Gran's death. It was as depressing as it is today.

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*On a plane from Montreal to Wakefield*

Jamie slept on a seat beside me. I was sitting on a window side seat. I was taken away by reverie of the time spent in Wakefield.

Granpa was a very handsome old intelligent man but strict in values. He has spent most of his life away from us & especially away from my dad. My dad was sent to Montreal for His studies. After he completed his MS from McGill University, he found a Job at Microsoft in Montreal. He met my Mom in the city before they fell in love and got married.

Gran and Granpa visited Montreal only once and that was for my Parents wedding. They have never visited after that. Dad decided to move back to England but Granpa didn't want him to settle in Wakefield. Though I bet it was hard for Gran to stay away from her Only son. Dad was an obedient son. Although he expressed dissatisfaction to his Papa's decisions, he did anyhow accepted and obeyed him. Since then, Dad stayed in Canada & we all were born & brought up there. I love Montreal for so many reasons but Wakefield occupies larger place in my heart.

We visited Wakefield every year to meet Gran & granpa. I was closer to Gran more than Granpa but I loved and respected him with all my heart.

Every morning at Wakefield I used to hand-over Newspaper to Granpa. Used to talk to him about Superheroes, Cartoon characters, Fairies, etc all the time. He used to listen every word of mine with interest and always answered every silly question of mine very wisely.

Every night me & Hannah would tell stories to Gran till she sleep, for which we used to get chocolates next day. Wakefield were always a perfect holiday.

Year after year we did the same thing. But after the death of Gran, the visits somehow happen to end. Now that we're visiting Wakefield after almost 5years, it's for the funeral of Granpa. I never thought it would be like this. I bet even dad never thought it would be like this. Why didn't we visit the place all these years?

I just didn't know how to react. I was perplexed and I felt miserable. All I knew is that I loved them so dearly. I dug the heels of my hands into my eyes to stop the tears beginning to blur my vision. As a tear drops from my eye, I closed my eyes visualizing Granpa's smiling face looking towards little me. Slowly the vision fades and I fell asleep.

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