MEMORIES

The sun began to set over the park as Mira made her way out. Her legs ached and she leaned heavily on her cane. She decided to sit down and rest for a while. Spotting a bench, she began moving towards it. It was painfully slow but she had no other choice. Sitting down carefully, she observed the park.
It was empty, except for some teenagers chatting in the corner. Mira frowned. What were they doing here?
Back in the day, they would never let us out.
She was thirteen, her friends had invited her to go see a concert. She had been terribly excited but her father refused in the end, stating that young girls were not to go out; she could go out when she was older. She remembered crying all night long.
Mira blinked. Giving a last look of distaste at the teenagers, she turned to the sunset, it was beautiful. The red, gold and pink together, an unusual but beautiful combination. The warmth of the sun was disappearing; she shivered and pulled her shawl closer. When was the last time she had seen a sunset?
Eighteen and out with a young man. She was lucky her parents never found out. They walked around and then sat down to watch the sunset, it was so beautiful. When it was over, the boy had asked her to marry him. She accepted with tears in her eyes.
A tear leaked from the corner of her eye. She wiped it away from her wrinkled face.
"Are you alright?" a concerned voice asked. Mira looked up to see a young lady looking at her. "Yes dear," she murmured. "You were crying," the lady said. "When you are my age," Mira said, "there are a lot of things which will make you cry."
The lady nodded seeming to accept the explanation. The suddenly she yelled, "Sara! Where did you go?"
Mira watched as she chased her little girl, trying to get her back. She smiled.
'Sami," she shouted, "Get back here!" Sami grinned and ran off as far as his little legs could carry him. Her husband laughed but did nothing to help her. His little angel, Alia, was perched on his lap stuffing herself with chocolate. Finally tired, she sat back down and sighed. "Where did we get such crazy children?" -- she asked irritated. Her husband laughed; his laugh was infectious and she smiled. "I don't know."
The sun had set taking its warmth with it. She had to get home, or Alia might be worried. Getting up, she began to walk home. She wasn't scared, the darkness didn't frighten her. And besides she was too old. She remembered suddenly that Alia had asked for some milk. So she shuffled towards the department store.
There after picking up the bottle of milk, she went to the counter to pay for it. While the cashier ringed it up, she looked at the TV.
Breaking news! Two cars had a collision and three are dead!
Her heart filled with horror. Not for the departed but for something it reminded her of.
He is late, she thought. What had he said? I am going out with my boss. But it was past midnight! Where was he? The bell rang. "Finally!" -- she said opening the door. It was a policeman. He looked apologetic. "I am sorry to inform you…" His words were lost on her. She already knew. She was a widow at twenty eight.
Snapping out of her thought, she took the milk and hurried home. Alia would be mad again. After an eternity, or so it seemed to her, she was home.
"Mom!" -- said Alia, "Where were you?" "I was just out for a walk and I got your milk," said Mira. Alia looked surprised. "My milk?" "Yes your milk!" -- Mira said impatiently. "You asked for it didn't you?" "Yes but you remembered?" -- asked Alia, surprised. "Of course I did."
Alia smiled and hugged her mother. Mira was taken aback but she accepted it all the same.
"Alright, I am going to sleep," said Mira. "I am tired."
She went up to her room, and went to bed. As was her ritual, she prayed for her departed husband and went to sleep.
Downstairs Alia was calling someone. "Hello, doctor? Yes it's me. My mother, she remembered to buy milk!" "That is good news!"-- the doctor responded.
"I hope so," said Alia softly. It was her earnest hope.