WINGS

Joanna’s family never really was complete, her working parents who preferred work more than her were 24/7 associated with it, while Joanna who was in middle school never really missed them as their love was fulfilled by her grandparents whom she lovingly call as Ma and Pa.

When children tend to know the secret of Santa’s existence when they reach the adolescent age Joanna knew that before she even reached a toddler age. They were living pretty secluded with her parents coming only for lunch and dinner, Joanna grew up with her Grandparents. 

Never did her parents visit her for annual days or accompany her to the report day, her parents were replaced with her loving grandparents who used to live with her and love her with their whole heart.

One day, as if a bad omen was knocking on their doorstep her father was murdered in the middle of street. Her family was grief-stricken by this incident, Joanna couldn’t understand all of this. When people used to come by and wish her luck for the future and console her family, her innocent personality would just blink at it.

Her mother could never come out of the shock. “Mom are you fine? Where’s Daddy?” she asked to her mother whose face got wet due to the uncontrollable tears from her eyes, “Daddy, Left us….” She replied in her faint voice. Joanna could not really understand it so she kept asking her father’s whereabouts to which her mom kept silent. After minutes of bombarding her with the same question her mother screamed at top of her voice making Joanna be scared of her.

Her Grandparents ran to her room and found her weeping. Her Grand mom picked her up in the arms and said, “I know you are feeling bad.. But she is your daughter” and left the room.

“We have to move back to Willows” her Grandfather said. “Yes, this is bad for Joanna” her Grandmother agreed with him and decided to leave for Willows leaving Joanna’s Mother all by herself.

Joanna quickly adapted to the new place where she was living now. She joined the town’s school and made many friends, she was the brightest student in her class and was a pride to her Grandparents.

Soon, her birthday was nearing. Joanna was sad as all her friends were busy that day to come to her birthday party.

“Honey, We should do something for Joanna’s birthday” Joanna’s Grand mom said to her husband. “Yes Yes.. Lets do something” Joanna’s Grandpa agreed to his wife.

It was 23rd of April, the day when Joanna was born. “My cupcake! Happy Birthday!!” Her grandmother and Grandfather wished her as they blew off the confetti. “Wow! Thanks Ma and Pa!” She said immediately after this pleasant surprise. “Oh honey! This is just the beginning… Come on, get ready I’ve made Birthday Pancakes!” Her grandmother said as Joanna nodded.

They all had their breakfast and soon lunch. Joanna’s day was filled with wishes and galore with her Grandparents. Soon it was evening, Joanna’s grandmother went in her room as she said, “Am I disturbing the birthday girl?” “No Not at all grandma” She said with a smile as her grandmother entered her room with a shopping bag. “This is your birthday gift!” Her grandmother said as she handed over the bag to her. “Wow! I’m so excited for this!” She said as she opened the bag with curiosity, revealing a beautiful satin gown with diamonds and other stones on it, “Wow…” were the only words that came out of her mouth. Her grandmother looked her with affectionate eyes and asked, “You like it darling?”

“This is the best gift ever!! Thank you Ma!!” She said as she hugged her. Her grandmother giggled and said, “Now go get ready, You have a surprise waiting for you” as she patted her head and left the room.

Joanna wore her birthday gift and came out of the room revealing a well decorated hall with balloons and confetti, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” All her family members shouted. “Oh my God! This is the best surprise ever” Joanna said as she hugged her Grandparents, “I love you Ma and Pa” she said. “We love you too Darling” her grandparents said as they hugged her back.

Joanna’s day went even more special than she ever imagined. From cutting the cake to playing games, she enjoyed every aspect of her birthday.

Soon she got into the University, leaving her grandparents and town. At first she used to talk with her grandparents on a daily basis but later it just disappeared.

It was officially the Fall Break, where students head back to their homes and spend Thanksgiving with their family. Joanna too did the same, and returned back to Willows to spend her holidays with her Grandparents. "My daughter is here!" Joanna's grandmother hugged her with full love and affection while Joanna thought this to be "CRINGEY", "Come in, Your Pa is waiting inside" her grandmother said as she lead her way to the house. "JOANNA!" Her Grandfather said in his faint voice while sitting on his wheel chair Joanna bowed to him as she acknowledged his presence and left to her room with her luggage. Her grandfather was a bit uncomfortable to see this, "What happened to her?" he asked his wife "She'll be tired from all this travelling" she said as she headed to the kitchen.

Soon the tranquility of the evening sky blessed touch their houses, Joanna's Grandmother prepared some milk and cookies for her lovely grand daughter. She entered her room where Joanna was busy playing with her phone, "Honey! I have made some cookies for you.. Come on" she said. "Yeah! Just keep it here" Joanna said and without knowing her presence. "Why don't you join us?" she asked Joanna. "No, I'm fine here" Joanna replied still busy checking her phone. 

"Sunshine~ You've come after so many months! We have missed you so much!" Her grandmother said trying to pursue her, "Ma Stop it!" Joanna said raising her voice. "I am an ADULT already! Stop treating me like a child! I said I don't wanna come so jus leave me alone!" She shouted on her grandmother. Joanna's grandmother became upset, she really felt bad but Joanna never realized her feelings, "Okay..." her grandmother whispered in sadness as she closed the door and left the room.

The fall break was over, Joanna returned back to her University and spent most of her time with her friends. One day her uncle called up, "Joanna, Its Christmas! Aren't you coming back to Willows?" he asked her, "Uncle, I am not coming there... I have a trip to Nova Scotia with my friends kay.... Now don't ask me to come there" she said and hung up the call.

Meanwhile at Willows, Joanna's grandparents were all ready to welcome their grand daughter. As her uncle came by the doorstep he said, "Joanna has a trip with her friends... She is not coming home". Her grandparents were heartbroken and couldn't enjoy the festival while Joanna was happily drinking on the boat and partying with her friends.

Months passed by, The cold winds of winter soon turned into the warm breeze of summer. Joanna would never call her people at Willows and even stopped going to visit her grandparents. Meanwhile, Joanna's grandmother was at her deathbed. Kasper, Joanna's uncle came to her with some medicines, "How's Joanna?" she asked in her frail and weak voice, "She's fine..." he replied, "Kasper, She is coming right?" she asked him. Joanna's uncle remained silent and left the room. "She will come soon" Joanna's grandmother said as she closed her eyes.

After 2 weeks, Joanna received a call from her uncle, "Joanna! Ma passed away" he said through the phone as Joanna felt her world being shattered, "What?" Joanna asked in disbelief, "Yes, Today morning.. She was sick since past 2 weeks" he replied. Joanna started regretting, "I am coming there Uncle" She said.

She immediately booked a ticket to Willows and at once left for it. As she reached the doorstep of her house, Tears started streaming down her face. She opened the door with the spare keys in her pocket and entered inside. "Where's Ma?" She asked her uncle as her directed her towards the bedroom. Joanna entered the room and saw her grandmother in deep sleep with a pleasant smile on her face indicating her peaceful departure, her eyes drifted towards a letter on the nightstand as she took it in her hands.

She started reading the letter, "Dear Joanna, Heaven's a beautiful place but it is too early for you... After you complete your university make this house as your heaven.... Always stay as the bright and honest girl you are... I waited for you, but I know that studies matter the most and of course, I finished my duties... So, time has come I say goodbye to my sunshine... Always stay happy.. I am blessing you from up.." and broke down as soon as she completed.

"I am sorry Ma, I preferred my friends over you and Pa... I preferred going to Nova Scotia rather than spending time here at Willows for Christmas! I preferred my social media life over my personal life with you all! I'm sorry Ma!" she said between her tears as she clasped her grandmother's hands in he'rs

"Joanna?" her uncle knocked at the door as he entered the room. "Honey, Your University called.. They wanted you for the fest" he said. Joanna wiped her tears, "Oh yeah... I had that tomorrow" She said, "Its okay dear.. You carry on, we will see the funeral" Her uncle said as he knew she wouldn't be ready for this. "No Uncle, I'll speak to them... I will be the Chief Mourner" She said as took the responsibility and headed downstairs.

She saw her grandfather sitting by the verandah looking at the nature. "How are you Pa?" she asked him as she approached towards her Grandfather. "Who are you?" He asked and that's when she realized that his Alzheimer's got worsened.

Just as Icarus who lost his wings by flying close to the sun, Today Joanna lost her WINGS by not giving them enough love and support.