LITERARY | When the Leaves Fall

Slipping Through my fingers- ABBA

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture

And save it from the funny tricks of time

Slipping through my fingers...

“Warm” The first memory that Maddy remembered from her younger years was the blinding light that beamed through their window. “Mama, is it the Son?” She asked sheepishly.

“The Sun, you mean,” Maddy’s Mother, Amanda, grinned at her daughter’s innocence.

Amanda’s husband passed away when Maddy was only 2 years old. Having been an orphan since she was a little girl, Amanda could only hope that her daughter would grow up to be a strong and independent woman.

“One..twoo..three,” Maddy whispers as she counts the fallen leaves of Narra that slipped past their window sill.

Amanda picked up a lone leaf and brought it close to Maddy’s chest. “Make a wish, baby,” she whispered. Maddy beamed and closed her eyes tightly, clutching the leaf her Mother gave her.

Amanda looked at her daughter and wished that she could stay small and innocent forever. Amanda knew in her heart that once her daughter continues to grow up, their closeness would soon fade away. But of course, no mother wants that, so she did what any normal mother would do. 

She became a  dotting hawk that watched her daughter closely and intently.

“You’re wearing that?!” Amanda hissed as she saw her daughter’s clothes.

“I look decent Mama,” Maddy rolled her eyes and repositioned her cropped top before heading out the door.

Maddy was 17 and couldn’t quite fathom why her choice of clothes would always ignite their bickering.

“Don’t forget your book, you need to return it before the library closes or you’ll face penalties,” Amanda called out without looking up from washing their dishes.

“Your keys are in the jar,” she followed.

Maddy just rolled her eyes and grabbed both the book and keys before heading out the door. If you ask her about what’s the most amazing thing her mother does, she’ll probably be sarcastic and  tell you that it’s her nagging. But if you asked her that same question when she was little, she’ll probably tell you about her mother’s super powers. 

Amanda knew her like she was the back of her hand, she knows that her daughter hates peas and the burnt taste of garlic. She knew where things were before Maddy even asked. She put pride and effort in taking care of her daughter. But lately, fate has not been so kind to a doting mother like her. Their closeness dimmed like how the  room no longer shined with rays of light from the sun.

A gush of wind blew past Amanda and woke her up from her thoughts “Where did it all go wrong” she muttered.

“Mama?” Amanda looked up and saw Maddy leaning against the door frame of the kitchen.

“I thought you left already,” Amanda wiped her hands and glanced at the few leaves strewn across the room.

‘I need to sweep again,’ she thought to herself.

“I did, but it's still early,” Maddy smiled and picked up a leaf.

“Besides Mama, I forgot to say goodbye properly,” Maddy twirled the leaf on her hand and hugged her Mother.

“Make a wish?” Amanda glanced at her daughter. 

“Together” the two of them grasped the leaf and closed their eyes, wishing on the same leaf like they did all those years ago. Unknowingly wishing on the same thing.

Please let me stay by her side for a little while longer.

#TruthInTransit
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