A Candle in Darkness

At the age of 5, Anaika lost the person she loved the most, her father, George. She used to wait for months for her father and he always had stories to tell to his sweet daughter whenever he came back from the army. As an army officer, George could only spend one month with his family over three months. He would often describe the different places he has been and how he saves lives by risking his own life. Anaika eyes light up the room when she spends time with her dad and realized family means the world to her.

Once George came back home for a visit, he handed over a little small notebook to Anaika and said "Look my little candle in the dark, this is your way, these pages will unfold your life and add new colors in it." Anaika was too young to understand but knew it was precious to her father. Not realizing this would be the last time she would see her dad, she kept the notebook by her side. The notebook was only opened once on a peaceful night when the November sky was filled with crystals and little Anaika was waiting for her dad while watching the words in the notebook as she could not read properly at that time. Anaika never knew that the only news that awaits her is that her father had been killed in line of duty.

Soon after a funeral was held and that's when the light in Anaika's eyes started to die. Anaika had to watch as they lowered her father into the ground, men shooting guns in the air and so many people crying that her father is gone. Anaika could not shed a single tear; it was almost like she was empty inside which was consider unusual for a five-year-old.

After the death of her father, her mom got married to a local merchant named Roy living in Dallas. Anaika never imagined that her mom would start a new life journey with another person without even considering her daughter's choice. Roy also never appreciated Anaika's existence in his home. Anaika knew that she is only a burden because she once heard her mom and Roy discussing that they should send her away for someone else to take care of. Even when she finished her bachelor degree in business, she was still considered a burden which leads her to anti-depression medications over the last few years

She used to spend all her day regretting the decision of her mom and often enjoying the stories that her father told her. The only wish she had for the last fifteen years was to run away from her home and somehow remove the memories of these years from her life. Some of her university friends also tried to console her but Anaika was not a normal girl. As her father called her, Candle in the dark, she was that candle. But a candle that only burns itself and doesn't enlighten anything.

Ryan was the only person in her life with whom she used to share everything since their relationship was transformed from just common university classmates to best friends forever. They often spent time together in the streets of the city having coffee distracting her from her reality. Ryan's feelings for her were more than just friends, his shiny eyes were a reflection of his pure sentiments for her. But he could never confess as he thought Anaika is lost in her world and he might lose a friend, a friend who only has his shoulders to fall back upon.

One day coming from home Anaika overheard her stepfather discussing with her mom that a rich friend of his is looking for a beautiful girl for his son and he can talk with him about Anaika. If their daughter gets married to his son, it'll enhance their financial condition as well. Anaika was shocked to hear this. She never imagined that her parents can also use her as a key to unlock their path towards a luxurious life. She immediately went to her room and started packing her bag to leave the house in the darkness without even thinking where she's going to run away. Tears were rolling down her eyes while she was collecting the few pictures and other possessions of her dad she had kept as his memorials. Suddenly, she saw that little black notebook that George handed over to her and as soon as she opened it up to remove the dust from its pages, a page flew from the black notebook and fell on the wooden floor of her room. She picked up the page and it seemed like an insurance receipt to her. Upon clearing the dust, she was stunned to see that it was an insurance receipt that her father settled for her and she could've only cashed it once she's over 21. It was worth $20,000. Her tears of grief suddenly turned into tears of gratitude but the only problem was that she didn't know anything about the insurance process and how to cash it. So, instead of telling her mom and dad, she decided to go to Ryan's place and stay with him.

Anaika spent the whole night lying her head on the bag she packed and thinking about starting a new life with the $20,000. On the next morning, she woke up with an enthusiasm no one has ever seen in her for the last fifteen years. Ryan was also shocked to see her smiling as it wasn't more than a miracle to him. She showed him the insurance paper and asked Ryan to help her out. After reading the paper, Ryan picked up his phone and made a phone call on the helpline number mentioned on the insurance paper to reconfirm everything. The person on the other side of the phone told him that Mr. George was an army officer and he chose an insurance plan in which his daughter Ms. Anaika would get $20,000 once she's 21. He also said they're ready to pay the amount after the confirmation of identity and other necessary documentation is needed. Anaika and Ryan were happy to hear this news and they immediately decided to travel to Houston to receive the payment. During the whole journey, Anaika was sitting on the train thinking of starting a new life with the money she would get, the life she always imagined. Without all the worries as she thought money is the only solution to all of her problems. On the other hand, Ryan was gazing at her face and it was one of the happiest moments in his life because he had never seen Anaika like this before.

Finally, they reached the insurance office and the officers there asked Anaika to fill in all the details and forms so she can receive the cheque. When Anaika reached her house, her parents asked her why she came home so late. Instead of answering their questions,

she just said:

"I'm not bound to answer you anymore. I was awarded $20,000 from my dad. Don't you think that is something a mother should've known but instead she puts all her time and effort into a man instead of her child?

"Are you out of your mind?" Said her mom. Anaika told her mom about the insurance and also that she'd not live with them anymore.

Roy was quietly listening to their conversation. He was sharp enough and observed that Anaika won't give them any money at all. So, instead of scolding her as he did always. He just uttered:

"Look Anaika, I've always been harsh upon you so you can become something in your life. We don't want your money. But look at us. Don't you want your mom and dad to live a better life? Imagine… Just imagine… What we can do with the $20,000. At least stay tonight and think it over"

Anaika witnessed the same tone in his voice as she noticed when he was persuading her mom to send her away. But she didn't say any words and ran to her room. The next morning, Roy bought her all kinds of gifts and her mom had cooked a grand breakfast. Anaika was shocked by this change in the behavior of her parents. Anaika was sensible enough to get the point that all of this was just for the sake of money. And she also thought that her behavior last night has hinted to her parents that she might leave their house that's why Roy is insisting give her presents.

Roy also tried to convince her indirectly to hand over all the money to him by telling her how he raised her till today and what efforts he made to feed her mom and her. Anaika remained silent and Ryan pulled up to help her pack. As she packed her last box into the moving truck, she looked back at her mom with such disappointment and regret on her face.

Anaika walked up to her mom and said "I forgive you. I forgive you for abandoning me emotionally and mentally. Not only did you move on to another man without considering how I felt but you were considering letting him take me away. I have been so alone since my father passed that I completely shut myself down from the world until I met Ryan. And not once did you show any interest in my accomplishments, trophies, high school, or even college. I use to wonder, when daddy passed away you started to look at me differently like you resented that I reminded you of him. Well mom I'm here to tell you that I am stronger and I forgive you"

As Ryan and Anaika drove away from her mom’s house, she began to remember what her father called her, a candle in darkness. With her pain and sorrows behind her and the weight lifted off of her mother’s past treachery, Anaika now rekindled that light. The road ahead of her with the help of her father and the little black book, could be made of endless possibilities.