Scratch to Silver

Sally is so careless and never behaves properly. She always embarrasses me in front of everyone. She lacks a sense of propriety when it comes to her demeanor in the presence of others. She displays a rather frivolous attitude toward life,” said Mrs. Mathew, her voice laced with frustration as she folded laundry with brisk, sharp movements.

Mr. Mathew looked up from his newspaper, a calm smile tugging at his lips. “Stop molding her the way you like. This would spoil her personality, and she won't learn from her mistakes. Let her explore and learn. One day, she’ll realize she needs to be serious. It will take time. By the way, where’s my little munchkin?”

“Your excessive love has spoiled her,” Mrs. Mathew huffed, shaking her head. “She ran off to Nazia’s place this morning and hasn’t come back yet.” Her voice trailed off as the grandfather clock in the corner struck 9:00 p.m., its chime echoing through the quiet house.

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Suddenly, the front door flew open with a loud bang, followed by a thud as Sally, in her usual whirlwind manner, stumbled through. She tripped over the threshold, her bag slipping off her shoulder, and crashed to the floor, face-first, with a muffled yelp.

“Sally, you messed up again!” Mrs. Mathew’s voice rose sharply, frustration spilling over as she rushed towards her daughter.

Mr. Mathew, standing up with concern etched across his face, asked, “Are you alright, my dear?”

“Sorry, Mom. Thank you, Dad,” Sally mumbled, scrambling to her feet, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Without waiting for further scolding, she darted towards her room, her footsteps quick and uneven.

Mrs. Mathew exchanged a look with her husband—one full of exasperation. Mr. Mathew, ever the calm presence, simply shrugged and followed Sally upstairs.

________________________________________

Knocking softly on her door, Mr. Mathew peeked inside. Sally was sprawled across her bed, the world of her novel consuming her attention. The soft glow of her bedside lamp cast a warm halo over her, making her seem lost in another reality.

“Such a delightful sight,” he said, walking in with a smile. “Seeing my munchkin engrossed in a novel—keep it up, my dear.”

Sally glanced up, her face lighting with affection. Feeling loved and supported, she hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Dad.”

Curious, Mr. Mathew leaned closer. “What’s this story that has you so captivated?”

With excitement bubbling in her chest, Sally sat up and began to recount the tale, her words tumbling out in vivid detail. Mr. Mathew listened attentively; his own curiosity piqued by the sparkle in his daughter’s eyes.

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The peace was broken by Mrs. Mathew’s voice ringing from downstairs, “Dinner’s ready!” Her tone carried a sharpness that echoed through the house.

Father and daughter exchanged amused glances before making their way down to the dining room. The warm aroma of spices and roasted vegetables filled the air, wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. As they sat down, the clatter of cutlery and the sizzle of the meal welcomed them into the heart of their evening—another ordinary day in the Mathew household.

Author's note:

Hi everyone! This is my first attempt at writing in this genre, so please bear with me as I explore and learm. I’m still learning the ropes and might make a few mistakes along the way, but I’d really appreciate any feedback or suggestions to help me grow as a writer. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!