Stolen Words to Your Heart

‘Was my passion for erotic poetry a mistake? Did I invite this scrutiny upon myself by daring to explore the depths of human desire and vulnerability?- Lara B.

--

"W-what, disqualified? Bu- but I just wrote this poem last night and I've never-" Lara's words were interrupted as the line went dead, leaving Lara shocked with beeping silence of the phone. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the phone.

Her mind raced, desperately trying to recall every word of her poem, searching for any hint of resemblance to someone else's work. But all she could feel was the stabbing pain of betrayal and injustice. ‘I spent all night pouring my heart into that poem’. her heart rising with anger. ‘I bared my soul in those words, and now they're telling me it's not mine? This is totally unfair!’

'Wait, my bag, I haven't checked it since last night, perhaps i....'

Slowly, Lara wheeled her wheelchair closer to the side of the bed to reach for her bag.

"Lara, dear! Come here, dinner’s ready! Come now or the chicken will get cold!" her mom called.

"Yeah Mom, I'm on my way!"

Speaking of the contest," said Sammy Braun, Lara's dad, between his mouthfuls of rice.

"Have you submitted, dear? I'm sure you'll make it to the final round. I believe in you. Please forgive me, my dear! We’re in debt because of me. That I can’t be the best dad for you. So, when will the announcement coming out?"

Lara's heart sank as she heard her dad's question.

"I-I don't know yet, Dad. What is certain is that it will take some time. Because the contestants are not only hundreds of people, but all over Metropolia. No, Dad, it's not your fault. This all happened because of me. Because of my condition, you had to renovate the house and get into debt for my comfort and treatment. Please forgive me, Dad! I'll do my all, my best to pay all of our debts. Please, allow me take this responsibility." Lara spelled, full with determination.

‘Please forgive me, Dad! For now, I have to keep this matter secret from you.’ Lara’s heart whispered.

"Such impatient father you are! The poem was just sent. Don't make your daughter tense and confused like that. Thank you, dear, I'm so proud of you. Don’t worry, take it easy. The important thing is that you've already tried your best." her mother said with teary eyes.

"Yeah, that’s how daddy is. Oh, I have to go to my room now, because there’s something I need to do, em… I mean, need to check.”

"Really? Why don’t you eat your fruit first, dear? I've already peeled the mango for you." her mother asked again.

"I’ll eat it later," Lara screamed as she swirled her wheelchair back to her room.

Quick, she locked the door. Holding on to one side of the wheelchair, shifted her body in different directions before finally lowering her arse to the yellow carpet below. Lara got down on all fours, pulling out the contents of her bag. Hand sanitizer, purse, keys, lipstick, cotton, and cell phone. 'Wh-, my journal? Where's my journal? Did I miss it? No way! I put it all in yesterday!' Lara mumbled recalling her activities last night.

Her gut had been right. Her genuine important journal was missing. Lara repeatedly picked up and rummaged through the contents of her bag. But still, Lara couldn't find the journal with its purple cover. This was a catastrophe! Because it wasn't just her erotic poems that she had written there. It was expression and feelings that she doesn't share anyone. It was also the ideas and concepts she had created for a short movie.

Not yet fully aware of what was happening, the voice of Lana May, one of Lara' favorite jazz singer, suddenly came on. Frantically, Lara pressed the 'Open' sign.

To:Lara

"YOU SURELY KNOW WHY I'M SENDING THIS MESSAGE. I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE OFFICE TOMORROW AT 9 AM. DON'T BE LATE! IT'S IMPORTANT!

From: Mrs. Boss.

The cell phone slipped from her hand as soon as she heard her boss's angry voice.

"This is bad! What do I do!" Lara scratched her head that wasn't actually itchy. Confused, upset, angry, all mixed up." At this rate, not only will my poems be stolen. But my other ideas could also be stolen!"

The air felt so thicken around Lara, suffocating her with the weight of the accusation that now tainted her passion and dedication. She had worked tirelessly to establish her career as an erotic poetry writer, and now it was all hanging by a thread. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the world that had turned against her, but the relentless ache in her chest kept her rooted in the harsh reality.