I was multi-tasking, jumping on the sofa and watching tv at the same time. Before I could realize I was in a free fall and landed on the table with my cheek to the corner of the table. Immediately I started crying and my mom and dad came rushing from the kitchen, they were angry at me for not taking care while playing and worried if I injures myself badly.
Luckily I only had a bruise on my face and nothing much. Next day innocently my mother sent me to the school. She didnt know much at that time that things will take an ugly turn.
Two years back my parents brought me america chasing their american dream. My dad was working for a big software company doing long hours, while my mom was struggling between dropping me to school and getting herself a degree in libraryian course at thr central library in Orange county.
Past two years have been an emotional roller coaster for me. Leaving my friends and grandparents in India and heading to a far away land where in schools I was fed patsa and pizza instead of traditonal dal roti subhi I had grown up with. Making friends was not easy either my enghlish had a funny accent, as I was told, pupil of my class had difficulty understanding me. I liked he time as at home I had more freedom, given my parents busy schedule, I enjoyed watching Indian movies and cartoon without any fear of being made fun of.
I am not sure how much my parents were enjoying their american dream. They had almost no time for each other. My father even working on weekends to prove himself to his american counter parts and my mother struggling between home, school and university lectures.
Well they were so busy to have given a second thought about my bruised cheek and that it could cause a terrible mess in our house and will turn everything upside down for us.
I reached school and when I was into my second lecture, head miss Fluffy Daiels came to me and asked what happened to my face. I told her I fell down. Then she asked me if my parents were angry, I said yes they were angry and worried. She didnt catch the worried part thanks to my so called funny accent. She then left and I continued with my lecture.
During recess I was asked to come to the head miss office and as I entered I was surrounded by some men and women in blue uniforms. They wanted to ask me about the incident again. I told them what happened. Then they asked me if my parents fight. I innocently told them sometimes they do. I was too small to grasp the consequences of my answers. At the end of one hours of question I was told that I will not go home today but to a different place, which will be better than home and lots of toys. I asked what about my parents. I was told not to worry they will come to the same place. I got excited to go this new place. I was thinking of playing and toys. Upto this point I was not at all aware of what was going to happen to me. I was taken to place of which I have faint memories. It was a big house in the middle of no where. There were few other younger kids and there were two adults, whom we could only call Sir and Madam.
This house was counter opposite of my house. Although there were many toys, everytging else was neat and tidy. Anything I took, I was told, I had to keep exactly at the same place. Timing when food was served was very strict and I only had one hr. for each meal. I was given a room with another younger boy who cried all night to see his mom. I was told my parents will come to see me tomorrow. I was waiting to see them let them know that I will not behave badly again so that I don’t have to be punished like this and I really wanted to go home with them.
I waited all day and finally around 7 o clock in evening my mother showed up with some friend of hers. She looked completely awful her hairs were everywhere it appeared she had been crying all night and day. When she saw me she could not hold herself and gave me a tight hug and started crying again. I asked her again where is dady. She told me he was too busy at work and will come another day. Reality though was very different the night before my father was arrested on suspicion of beating me and he was in prison waiting for his court hearing to be released on a bail bond. I was told about it later.
My mother was allowed to stay with me for two hours and when she was leaving I told her that I will be a good boy please don’t leave me here. She could not control herself and started crying again. Her friend consoled me and told that soon they will take me home.
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