CONSCIENCES

Alexis

Just as I expected, Aunt Sol was more than mad, she was disappointed that I didn't inform her that I was going to be late.

"Young lady? Is this time fine for you to come home?" She flared her nostrils while glaring at me.

"I can explain… but let me in first…" I insisted.

Although, she let me in the house but she kept following me to the room. I knew that she was curious and eager to know about my interview. And that's where the fear in my heart erupted. 

"How was the interview? You haven't broken the silence… is everything okay?" She was concerned.

"Let me change first, then I will discuss something with you…" I sighed heavily and Aunt Sol provided me with some personal space.

As soon as she left, I changed my clothes quickly and rushed to the bathroom in order to wash my face. Since there was No makeup painted on my skin, it was visibly clean with one wash. 

Soon after, I went down to the kitchen to have dinner with Aunt Sol. Each step was heavy to the ground. My breaths were slow when I approached Aunt at the kitchen counter.

"Ah!!! Something delicious has been cooked today…" I appreciated what Aunt Sol was making.

"It's just regular spaghetti, dear. Have a seat and enjoy your dinner." She passed a plate down to me.

I was way too hungry so I munched immediately. It was hot but still so good. Meanwhile, Aunt Sol sat right in front of me with her eyes glowing on me! She was eating silently.

"You haven't said anything about the interview yet…" she was the one who broke the awkward silence between us.

I choked on my food as soon as she asked me about the interview. I gulped the water down and relaxed before replying to her.

"Why are you always in a rush?" She yelled at me.

"I am sorry, it's just I was about to break the news to you," I replied politely.

She kept staring at my face until I started speaking.

"The interview was good and I managed to secure the job…" 

"So, it's something we should celebrate? But why do you seem so blue? I mean, if i got a job at such a place, i would be shouting and screaming in every corner of the house. And here, you are sitting with a gloomy face?" She asked me.

The question I was afraid of being asked… I have to tell her.

"Ummm… I know that I should be happy about this but, there is one problem…`` I responded as genuinely as I could.

"Problem? What problem? Is everything okay?" she was more concerned now.

"Everything is fine except one thing…" I added.

"And… what is that?" She pressured me to reveal the suspense.

I was scared but i had to do it, "i have to shift into royal residency till the job binding time. They are providing me an apartment in the palace." 

"What?" Just as I expected.

"You have to shift? Who said that? And how is that legal? You have a home and you don't have to shift anywhere…" she started screaming in irritation.

"Aunt, try to understand… it was in their policies and even if someone else's got the job, they had to shift as well. There was no room for argument…" I tried giving them my reasons.

"If that is the case, you don't need such a job. You already have one and it's good enough to live a life." She said,

"No… no way… I can't refuse to work with them. Aunt, try to understand… just don't look at one con, look at the pros. The salary they offered is triple what I was receiving as a high school teacher. I will be surrounded by security, so you don't have to worry about me coming home late at home. I can visit you anytime during the holiday… It is like a dream job. All I have to do is to teach a student… that's all. You talk about living a life but there is a huge difference between living a life and being able to enjoy it." I replied with tears in my eyes.

"What security are you talking about? Who knows what they do behind those walls? I don't need money but I want you to be safe and in front of my eyes. Do you remember what happened last time? You were comatose for six months. I can't forget those times… I have no one except you…" Aunt Sol, poor lady, she poured out from her heart.

I had no idea what to do so I hugged her instead. An intimate contact was enough to calm her down. Gently, I patted her shoulders and smiled at her.

"I know you care and you are scared that something wrong will happen to me. But, this is reality as well. We can't always live with fear. Someday the fear has to be overpowered… what happened in the past mustn't interfere with the future. Aunt, I have no option but to chase my dream and let me control that fear." I looked, hopefully, at her.

She sighed heavily and glared at me.

"If you had known about this, I wouldn't have let you go for the interview… and of course, these rich people, who make rules for others and try to bend them according to their will… I should have known." She kept complaining about the system.

"Aunt, please!!! You just can't curse them like this. It won't be that bad… At least, let me try and think about it. Opportunity doesn't knock frequently on your door. I can't live here forever and I don't want you to live in a place like this either. For how long are we going to stay at one place? We deserve so much better…" I put my hands firmly on her shoulders. 

She had tears in her eyes but still she nodded her head in understatement. Sometimes, we don't have any choice but to go with the flow.

"Alright… you are a big girl now… you can make decisions for your own betterment." 

"Not just my betterment but yours too…" I said.

"My life would be boring without you." She said with sniffing in between.

"It won't be… you can join the hospital again… I know you retired earlier because you wanted to take care of me," I suggested to her.

"I don't think so… it's been a long time since I have visited a hospital for a job… it would be difficult for me to start my nurse's life again." She complained.

She was hesitant but I knew that she wanted to work back as a nurse to save lives.

"Oh please… you were professional in your work and this doesn't make any sense if you say it would be difficult. You can't give up like that already… come here and I will show you something…" I tried to cheer her up and asked her to sit along with me.

I grabbed my laptop and opened job sites. Filling the required data took a little time but we were all set to check the vacancies. Gladly, we found a job vacancy for Aunt Sol in a nearby hospital. If she gets a chance to apply for the job, she will get engaged in her duties and won’t feel lonely after I shift. Fingers crossed!!

“I still think this won’t work but you kept insisting so I will apply, just for you…” finally! My prayers were heard.

“Awww… so sweet of you…” I smiled genuinely at her and pressed enter on the job application. 

Her data and records were sent. I was hoping to receive a call from them soon. Later, that night went smoothly when the burden was lifted. I slept soundly and carefree, knowing I don’t have to wake up early and rushed to reach school in order to teach. Oh, man! I am going to miss this life. However, I was anxious to know what will be my life in the Royal residency? Not everyone gets this opportunity to work for them. Since I have bragged one, I will be going to enjoy and explore things by myself. 

It would be hard to live alone in the castle. All the time I kept consoling Aunt that it will be okay! But, I wasn’t sure about how I would cope alone? Soon, my eyelids dropped and I fell asleep.

The next day when I woke up, I got ready to buy some necessary items for myself. I might need them when I shift. Aunt accompanied me to help out with the stuff. Glad, I had most of the stuff at home and didn't require buying much.

When we were back, I got a call from an unknown number. At first, I scrunched my brows and decided to avoid it but something in my mind stirred and I picked the call immediately.

"Hello?" 

"Hello, am I talking to Miss Martin?" A musculine voice asked through the phone.

"Yeah… speaking…" I replied.

"I am Jonathan from Golden Lotus hospital. We received your application through online forms and we want to conduct an interview for the job." Said the voice.

I was stunned and happy as well.

"Wait, you want to speak with Solace Martin, right? I am her niece, kindly hold for a while." I informed him politely and rushed to hand the phone to her.

"Yeah… speaking… okay!! Yes!!! I am available! Oh, that's good… are you sure? Alright… I will be on time…" 

Then the call disconnected… 

Aunt Sol jumped in excitement and shouted…

"Oh my god!!! I am going for an interview…" She was on cloud nine.

"I am happy for you, aunt…" I was happy to see the glow on her face.

"I can't believe… my passion for helping people brought me back on the same tracks. Thank you so much, dear Alexis… this wouldn't have been possible without you." She hugged me tightly.

"It's your talent to speak, not me. I just helped you a tiny bit…" I winked at her.

"Still… you helped with all these online processes that are way out of my league… I don't know about computers and the internet. That's why, the credit goes to you." Said Aunt Sol.

"Ah… now I think I can help you with computers and the internet…" I chuckled and picked the laptop from the table.

I gestured to my Aunt to sit beside and decided to help her with the technology. We took decent time to understand basic concepts and work on the internet. 

I felt motivated to see how excited Aunt was. Suddenly, a thrill went up my spine when I realised that I have to shift into a royal residency tomorrow. 

I excused myself and went to pack my bags. I took out an empty suitcase and filled a few of my clothes and stuff but later i realised that the suitcase wasn't enough for me to pack all of my belongings. I sighed and took out another small suitcase and stuffed my remaining belongings. With a deep heart, I was scared and worried too. Not sure what will be awaiting for me in that Castle.