December 6, 2018

  Shazi Sultan

  It was then that he had realized that he had completely forgotten about the paper, and the moment he realized that, he had panicked. He was used to remembering important messages about assignments or anything else, but for the first time ever he had completely forgotten about it and that made him feel angry.

  It was ten at night and the moon cast a soft radiance, through the floor to ceiling window near the staircase, Nathan could see the ocean, waves rolled up the golden sand beach. Taking his eyes off the beautiful sight, Nathan walked down to the kitchen.

  “Oh, Nathan,” his stepmother, Jessica greeted him with a smile. Ignoring her, he poured a glass of water for himself before gulping it down. She didn’t say anything but he could feel her gaze on him. He didn’t like the woman, which he had made clear to her but she still talked to him, trying to get closer and it sort of disgusted him.

  His disgust spawned from the fact that this lady had taken the place that belonged to his mother, in fact, Jessica had never done anything wrong but Nathan was too proud to admit that.

  “You have not eaten anything since lunch; do you want me to make you a sandwich?” Jessica had no idea how she should melt the cold, ice cube block like stepson in front of her. She could not have children of her own and for years the fact had made her very sad. Now, she had a chance to have a child, though not her own but she still wanted to do something……

  Nathan heard the soft question and pondering for a moment he agreed, there was nothing wrong with that, and besides he was hungry.

  Barely containing her smile, Jessica immediately made a sandwich.

  “Do you want mustard?” She asked him.

  “No,” said Nathan shortly. He hated the taste of mayonnaise, but he hated the taste of mustard even more and tried to avoid both of them on all occasions.

  Sandwich in hand, Nathan walked back before turning back around to look at the plump woman behind him. “Thanks for the sandwich.”