Goodbye Forever, Vicky - Softcover

Rajrup, Latchman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 154622999X ISBN 13: 9781546229995

Verlag: AuthorHouse, 2018

Inhaltsangabe

Sometimes the choices we make in life can shatter our hopes and dreams, leaving us in a painfully empty world. Goodbye Forever, Vicky tells the story of a young undergraduate whose hasty decision sets his life on a tail-spin. When Vicky said goodbye to his first love to pursue his studies, he never dreamed that a simple misunderstanding will shake the foundation of the love they painstakingly built together, and cause him to seek consolation in the welcoming arms of another woman, and into a new world of marriage. An unemployed undergraduate, a live-in son-in-law, a domineering mother-in-law, a hen-pecked father-in-law and a wife who childishly listens to her mother make the best concoction for conflicts and taunts, trials and tribulations, and eventual divorce. After his harrowing marriage ordeal ends, will Vicky turn to his first love? Will she forgive him? Or will he continue to sink in his lonely world?

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Latchman was born and grew up in Guyana. He graduated in Economics from the University of Guyana, worked as a High School teacher, and Economist in the Guyana Public Service. He was the Research Associate and Co-author of The Impact of the Brain Drain on Development: A case-study of Guyana, published in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1981. He lives in New York City with his wife and two daughters. He likes to travel, listen to true stories and watch movies based on family life. Most of all, he loves to spend quality time with his family. Goodbye Forever, Vicky is the fulfilment of his lifelong dream.

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Goodbye Forever, Vicky

By Latchman Rajrup

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2018 Latchman Rajrup
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5462-2999-5

CHAPTER 1

The bell rang twice. I looked through the window and saw the mailman standing by the gate. I ran down the stairs and snatched the envelope he offered me. I looked at it expectantly. It was from the university. I remained rooted to the ground for a moment, and prayed that I gained admission. Fear gripped me as I thought of the prospect of any bad news, and lost the courage to open the envelope. I walked swiftly up the stairs to the kitchen where my mother was preparing lunch.

"Vicky, why are you so excited?" my mother asked as I approached her. Seeing the envelope in my hand, she continued with tranquil pleasure, "I see! It's your girlfriend. I tell you several times if you want to marry, I'll get you married, but you're still too young and ---"

I interrupted as my mother was beginning to be conversational. "No, it's not about any girl. It's a letter from the university. Please read it quickly for me."

"Don't tell me you can't read."

"You know I can't stand the shock of disappointment. I know you'll bring me luck if you open the envelope."

She turned off the kerosene stove and sat on a chair with the envelope in her hand. "Son," she said reflectively, "life's full of so many sorrows, disappointments, failures, heart-aches. You must learn to face life with courage or else you can't survive in this world." She never forgot to call me "son" whenever she delved into her philosophical realm. "You're a big boy now, but you've a girl's heart and your childish behavior---"

"The letter, Ma, the letter," I said encouragingly, trying to conceal my inquietude.

Finally, she opened the envelope. I sat a talking distance from her and watched her with eagerness, attempting to read her facial expressions as I prayed for something positive to be written in that letter, the contents of which could change the course of my life. Her lips moved as she mumbled something. Then she smiled faintly. I couldn't hold myself anymore. I grabbed the letter from her hand and read it eagerly.

"Wow! I'll be attending university!" I burst out with enthusiasm. I hugged and kissed my mother. Rover ran upstairs, wagging his tail in delight. Whitenose awoke from his slumber under the bed and came purring around. They moved up and down the kitchen with me as I kept prancing with the letter in my hand. Both, however, looked dejected, as if they didn't want to share my happiness. Then they filed away sadly downstairs. Strange, I thought.

I turned to my mother whose presence I had actually forgotten. She, too, looked dispirited. I couldn't remember the last time I saw her looked so glum. She was deep in thought with her head leaning on one hand. I detected tears shimmering in her eyes. My spurt of joy died an instantaneous death and gloom pervaded the entire kitchen. I moved my chair and sat beside her. "Ma, what has come over you? Aren't you happy I'll be attending university? Aren't you happy I'll fulfill one of my life's dreams? I can't bear to see you look like this."

She finally spoke coolly. "Vicky, what mother does not want to see her children happy? Haven't I always tried to make you happy despite my struggles? I always dream of your happiness. I've nothing against you attending university, but I'm thinking of the cost. You'll need to eat, you'll need a place to live, you'll need tuition fees, you'll need books, and you'll need pocket money. Plus clothing and many other things I can't think about now."

"But I can go without clothing. I'll use what I have. I'll go without pocket money. I'll borrow my friends' books, and make use of the library."

She ignored my plea and continued reflectively, "When you were attending grade school, you know how hard I tried with your upkeep. I knew I wasn't spending my money in vain. You were always on top of your class. During your days in high school, you know the kind of sacrifices I made. I'm certain you'll be successful at the university, but I don't know how I'll manage to finance you."

She paused and asked for a drink of water. As I handed it to her, I said with a ray of hope, "But we've some money in the bank."

"Yes ... yes, but will that money be enough to support you for four years? You've been working for two years, and I saved every penny of your money. You insisted we use some of the money to buy this house. Otherwise we would be living in that old, rotten house you never liked. I didn't ... well ... I didn't realize you'll want to attend university so soon. I've your old, widowed aunt to support, and sometimes I've to assist your sister with her children during the out-of-crop season, when her husband isn't working. As for your father," she blinked the tears which settled in her eyes, "we can't rely on him."

There was an eerie silence. In a frenzy of despair, I thought this world - this life - could be cruel to the poor. Speech seemed difficult for my mother. With a quivering voice, I broke the silence with resignation. I ... I un ... derstand. I ... I think I can see with you. It'll be too much of a financial burden on you." She looked at me compassionately and I continued, "I'll have to forget this university for now. I'll work another year, and probably think about it some other time."

She gave me an encouraging pat on my shoulder, and walked downstairs, apparently drained of energy. I followed her and sat on the wooden seat next to her. Rover and Whitenose were there looking with hungry eyes at a bird perched tantalizingly on a branch of the mango tree next to our fence. My mother stretched out in the hammock, and Rover and Whitenose lounged towards her to be caressed. She took both in her hands and fondled them. Suddenly, the clouds of gloom disappeared from her face and a smile twitched her lips. She gave me a long, encouraging look as I sat thinking of the reality of the situation.

"Vicky, I don't like to see you look so unhappy. Cheer up! You remember I tell you to have courage in life? I'll rather die than see you unhappy. I'll see what I can do for you. We'll use the little money we've in the bank. I'll work harder, and by the grace of God, I'm certain things will work out for you." I couldn't believe my ears. I bent forward and hugged her for her indefatigable spirit, but deep inside I was devoid of any feeling of exultation. "I'm getting old now," she continued. "I've nobody but you to live for. Whatever I can do for you, let me do it now. You've a long life, and I won't like to know you face difficulties and problems like me. Come on, cheer up! Go and bathe Rover and Whitenose. In the meantime, I'm going to meet a friend. Her husband's working near the university. I'll ask them to advise me on some cheap accommodation for you."

"Ma, your lunch," I called behind her.

"Don't worry. I'm alright." She waved.

I bathed Rover and Whitenose, and then flung myself like a log on the bed as if I'd worked in the cane fields all day. I remained restive as I reflected on the harsh realities of our lives.

CHAPTER 2

My mother was married at the age of thirteen through an arranged marriage to my father. After her marriage, she started to work in the sugar-estate, and since then her struggles started.

The treatment meted out to her by her in-laws was intolerable. Whatever money she earned, she was forced to hand over to them. If there was any spare time, she had to go fishing or chop fire-wood along the sea shore. She dared not make a mistake in her cooking or she was rewarded with a sound trashing by her mother-in-law. On those occasions, my father was...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: AuthorHouse
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2018
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 154622999X
• ISBN 13: 9781546229995
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 366
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
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