Serene

Chapter-1 : The Letter

Every day i wake up feeling the sunrays on my face through the window. Just like clockwork.
Waking up the first thing my eyes laid eyes on was my morning coffee. As far as my daily life, It
was prevailing.

??? : Mr. Paul, you’re awake. Please get yourself seated as you please. Breakfast will be ready
soon.
Paul : Good Morning Mary. How are you today love ?
Mary : I’m feeling alright. Packed my kids lunch with his favorite. As long as he’s happy I am as
well.

Paul : How old is the lad?

Mary : 13 last month. They grow up so fast…..Oh! by the way, you had mail in your box. I took it
out and kept it on top of the cabinet in the hallway.

Paul : Thank you Mary. Your thoughtful as ever.

Serene 1
 Everyday was as ordinary as i could imagine. I eat my breakfast, Get dressed and spend time on
the foyer, read the newspaper and take a good nap.

I made my way down the hallway to the door and i noticed the package that came int he mail.

“Now what could this be ?”

I scurried my hands through the package until it was a mess. Just like a baby. I ripped and ripped
until I saw a letter next to a box.

I opened it and started reading it ,

“Dear Dad,

Hope your Doing well, I’m doing really well here. I got Kaitlyn and Mike to back me up when i feel
stressed. I do hope you are taking your meds as told. You really don’t want to give Mary a handful
now do you. Anyways, the box i send with this letter contains tickets to Berlin. Mike really misses
you. We all miss you. I hope you come visit us for his Birthday next week. He is really looking
forward to see you.

Love Logan”

Mary : Who was it from Mr. Paul.

I got a little spooked from Mary’s sudden question.

Paul : It was Logan, Apparently he wants me to visit him.

Mary : Are you gonna go?

Paul : After what he did?

Mary : Dwelling over the past is not good for your health Mr. Paul. We need to let go off the things
we pile up over time.

Serene 2
 Paul : I don’t want to see him again and that’s that. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.
Mary : Mr. Paul

Me and Logan never really looked eye to eye. Whatever he did or achieved was none of my
concern. I made my way to the foyer and sat down reading my newspaper.

Chapter-2 : The Loan

A few hours passed by and I saw 2 men walking towards the house. They were big and fancy with
their suits and ties.

Paul : How can i help you?

?? : Mr. Paul?
Paul : Yes that’s me

Mr. Warren : I’m Mr. Warren and this is my partner Andrews. Can we talk inside?
Paul : Yes, Come in

Both the men made their way in following me. They looked really formal for young men.

Paul : Have a seat

Mr. Warren : We came to you to let you know that your records with the bank states that any
payment that is left to be paid within the said period of time for the loan which you took 20 years
ago is to be paid within the next 2 weeks or the bank will have to take action and cease the
house.

Paul : Why? Why is this happening. I already paid off my loans.

Andrews : Bank records states that you failed to pay an installment 10 years ago and that has
now accumulated over time with interest to a total of $140,000 dollars.
Paul : 140 grand in 2 weeks ?!?! How am i even supposed to collect that amount.

Mr. Warren : We are just here on behalf of the bank and we know you will figure out something.
We may take our leave now.

Serene 3
 The two men saw themselves out while I stayed in my chair reminiscing on what I did wrong and
what I am supposed to do.

Paul : Mary !! Get me a glass of water would you.

Mary : Mr. Paul. Are you feeling alright?

My eyes wanted to stay focused and still but my brain was letting me do that. I felt my vision
slowly blur out in an exploding rate. I can hear a few muffled noises and Mary calling out to me.
I wanted to keep thinking but I was unable to do that as well.

Chapter-3 : Purpose

Everything faded to pitch black. Was it darkness? or was it something cryptic. I could hear
Rhythmic beating around me. Am I suppose to go after it? Should I do nothing and just stay where
I am?

I slowly opened my eyes and I was greeted my the ceiling lights. I looked around and so Mary sit
next to me. She looked anxious,

Paul : Mary.
Mary : Mr. Paul, Its alright now.
Paul : What happened

Mary : You fainted and I had to call an ambulance. The Doctors said you were alright and it may
have happened cause of stress.

Paul : How long have I been here?

Mary : Its been a day.
Paul : I need to get out of here.
Mary : Mr. Paul…Please stop moving…Mr. Paul !!

I shrug off the wires and tubes they had attached to me and made my way out of the hospital
room.

Serene 4
 I could hear Mary coming after me shouting to me to stop.

I rushed towards the hospital exit and through the parking lot out to the alleyways until I reached
home.

I changed into some proper clothes and I decided to look for ways to pay of the debt.

I started my desperate look for ways to pay off the debt. I travelled around the state checking with
lawyers and any possible solutions. As one problem got solved another emerged and it was an
endless cycle of complications along the way. It was purely tiring and chaotic that what my mind
could handle.

Amongst all these things there always stood a small glimpse of hope just in reach on my hand.
There lied a purpose which was yet to be fulfilled.

Trucks grazing through the high trees, winds gushing away to the far east. The sun sets in a query
manner spreading color to the horizon. The fatigue from a long walk still lingers around my
shoulder. Was it not I had just ran from a hospital.

Chapter-4 : Resolution

Amidst such great pleasures, a few kids squabbling in a distance, probably teenagers, 17-19.
What were they fighting abut this late. Their parents would be worried sick by now. I approached
them with as low guard as I could so I wouldn't spook them.

Hey….Kids….Shouldn’t you go home by now? I spoke loudly

Kid 1 : Beat it old man. This is none of your business to butt into.

Paul : Now, that’s a rude thing to say to an elderly. Pretty sure its nothing a small talk could solve.
Now what seems to be the problem.

Serene 5
 I started to feel a bit more confident in myself as the conversation furthered ahead. Good Intuition
does follow me around I suppose.

Kid 1 : Billy here said If I jumped into the river, he would buy me lasagna….He ain’t keeping his
end of the deal now. Of course I’m pissed off. I’m all wet too.

I turned towards the kid and locked into his eyes.

Paul : Is this true Billy? One should be a man of his word no matter the circumstances. Are you
willing to throw out your dignity to such small matters ?

The kid looked at me with guilt. His eyes slowly gazing down as he spoke

Kid 2 : Its not I don’t want to buy him what I said. Its more like I can’t. I lost my wallet when we
were jumping around the bridge. I can’t seem to find it.

Kid 1 : You should have said that earlier dude. Why did you keep hiding it. Its not like I won’t
understand.

While the kids were making up i kept remembering about Logan…. Me and Logan were so close.
Something so close was torn apart by the choices he made. Its been about 7 years now.
Logan loved a girl. I was not particularly fond of her. She would often lecture me on not what to do
and how I was doing it right. One day, she had to move away and I warned Logan going after her
would not help him. He ignored me…Left Home and went after her….
They got married eventually within the first 2 years….But in those 2 years of time. He had no
remorse of what I had told him. He didn’t even care to write me a letter or to contact me.. The very
first letter I got from my son was for his wedding.. I didn’t show up eventually. I guess Logan hates
me for that. We were two sides of a coin. Maybe if I wasn’t so stubborn and actually listened to
him when he needed it. Things would have turned different.

I walked away from the kids to the Bus Station….. boarded a bus…… miles passed and I was
back….The very place I left from. I scurried back to the house. It was pitch dark but I suppose I

Serene 6
 could fairly see.
The house was no visible in my view. As I moved closer, I have Mary sleeping in the chair outside.
Poor soul must have fell asleep waiting for me to come back. I woke her up. She was shocked to
see I had came back and almost shed tears. I calmed her down and we both went inside.

The Final Chapter : Symphony

The morning sun rays gleamed through the window as they do. Bright and yet beautiful.
Mary walks up to my room to see if I had ran away again. She’s been cautious about me leaving
again.

I got dressed and approached her in the Living Room.

Yes Mr. Paul? She exclaimed.

Paul : I think its time I took that plane ticket to see him.
Mary : I thought you never wanted to see him again. What changed ?
Paul : The house wont last long and he’s my son. He is the only one I can ever rely on now. I
know what I did to him was wrong. But I’ve been thinking. What is we could finally make up and
live happily like we used to do.

Mary : I think that’s wonderful Mr. Paul. When do you intent to leave?

A few hours passed by within brief moments. I walked between the airport scanners and doors.
Even though the whole process of travelling is exhausting and is really showing for my age, I was
scared on how he would react on seeing me.

After a few hours of travelling I was finally In Berlin. Cabs waited in-front of the airport so it wasn’t
hard to catch a ride and I pointed out the address Logan gave me in his letter.

Within mere moments, It was right in-front of me. The front door to his house. What will he think of
me…Anger? Despise? I was frightening beyond any known reason. I mustered up my courage
and I knocked.. The door opened to a little boy . He stared at me for a moment and then ran
screaming inside.

Serene 7
 Dad ! Someone in Door

Logan walks up to the door. He looks at me…

Dad? You came?

I blurted what came to my mind as it did.

I know what I did to you is not worth forgiving but But I hold remorse in me every single day. I
want us to be together again. Like we used to be. I know you may hate me but I ask for
forgiveness. Not as an old man. But as your Father.

Logan : Dad…What are you saying. I was never mad at you. I knew you had your reasons and
you were right, It may not had brought me happiness at first but it made me the man I am today.
And I have to thank you for that.

Hearing Logan say those words made me feel at ease. It was like a huge burden was left down
from my shoulders. No longer to bear it anymore. A symphony of understanding between us.. It
could be remade anew if I tried.

I think fate does play you like the sunrays move around the atmosphere.

Serene 8