Autobiography of a Diary

Save me! I have hardly any pages left in me. My lavish life is finally coming to an end. I am living the last few minutes of my life and I love to die telling you my story. I do not know what would be soothing me while I die on this very table in front of you.

My life is not as sad and depressing as you think. I was the the first diary of my design and style. My cover page was so richly decorated, that only the richest could afford to get me. My cover had red roses with black background and a rose gold blushing over the edges. Each of the roses was embroidered with a gold outline. The first few days of my life were spent at the shop Laurel and Mary. I was the centre of attraction and everybody came over to glance at me. But everytime my hopes were crushed when they put me back on seeing my price.

It was a Saturday morning and the diary sales had just begun. Yet I was as costly as before. Today was the only day when the richest nobles and people came to this shop. It was the Laurel and Mary Annual Sale !

The first person to see me today was a young girl who might be about six years. She was so glad to see me that she hugged me within her delicate arms. She stroked me with her soft little hands and rocked me like a baby. In a few minutes, I could see a tall lady running towards the child with a lot of rage. The next minute, the lady who was the mother had grabbed the girl by her wrist and was taking her out of the shop. I kept dreaming of this girl for the next few weeks. A day after the death of the shop owner's mother, I was taken off the shelf. I was kept on a red pillow which had golden embroidery. A white see through lace was placed over me.

I was now given to a man, who looked like a royal agent or someone of that sort. At that time, little did I know that I was on my way to one of London's richest house. I was given as a gift to a girl Charlotte. She was a sweet little girl and took me everywhere she went. She kept me beside her bed at night and in her bag during the day. I loved my life but one thing was still bothering me each night. The thing was that Charlotte hadn't written anything in me. After a busy day, I would sit on the bed side and recall the day to every detail. Since my birth, all I have wanted was for someone to write secrets in me and talk to me. As time passed Charlotte was getting more busy and I started feeling neglected. Day and night passed. Now, I was among the many gifts she had received. I was still looking as new as the day I was bought and hence attracted many people. Among the people who were planning to take me, was the assistant of my master William Red. He kept a look out for opportunities to slip me into his bag and take me to his daughter Amber.

Amber was my next owner. Mr. Red took great risk to steal me for his daughter. After about a week, he had managed to slip me in. At night, during the family dinner he showed me to his wife. Out of what I could understand, it was Amber's birthday the next day. To my surprise Amber was the same girl whom I had met in the Laurel and Mary Annual Sale. My happiness had no bounds. Her mother Mrs. Red was not as bad as I thought. She was one among the kindest women I have ever met. She dusted me with gentle feathers and treated me like a human. Amber loved me more than anyone ever could. The whole family loved me a lot, except the jealous sister of Amber, Asley.

Another sister of Amber was Alice. These two took turns to take care of me. Amber used the first half while Alice used the other half. I wasn't given secrets but a lot was written in me. It is quite known that a very good thing is followed by a bad thing. Alice and Amber tore a page each from my book. It didn't hurt much but I was mentally sad. At a dinner one night, Mr. Red informed the family about his promotion to Spain. This bothered me and I lay awake all night. Will I be left behind??

The next morning, I was placed into a gloomy carton with many other books. I couldn't figure out why Amber didn't take me along with her in her velvet bag. I came to know that this was the last time I would see Amber. My next owner was Amelia K Jimmerly. This was her house till about three weeks ago. She was a short girl about eight years, fair complexion, blushed cheeks, a cute pair of eyes and a lot of kindness. She wrote all about her days good and bad in me. During my time with Amelia, I realized that happiness is not about living a lavish life of comfort but true happiness was from kindness, love and care from your owner. The first few months with my final owner were the best days of my life. Her family, though not as rich as my previous owners lived a content life. They kept me in Amelia's room. Her room was among the most beautiful rooms in this wide world. Red velvet curtains were draped on the windows. Her bed was simple yet grand, empty yet beautiful. Her room walls were spray painted with red roses. She was very dear to me and never left me off. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmerly's dog was also good to me. It would stroke me with its paws whenever it saw me. This dog was given the name Piper. In a few days, Amelia's sister Audrey was born. Amelia stuck photos of herself and Audrey in me.

In maybe a month or two, it was found out that Mr. Jimmerly's brother needed help in his business. The Jimmerlys fled to help their relatives very soon. Everything was loaded into cartons and my family was moving. Amelia put me in her bag placed in her car. Atlast the day came. The four of them and Piper got into the car. Amelia opened the door and rushed out with me and her camera. Everybody was confused. She took me into her room and placed me on her table. She took a photo of her room and stuck it in me. Her parents were trying to rush her out and in the process, forgot me on this very table where I lay now.

In the past few weeks rats started invading the house and started eating my pages. This repeated each night till you came here to take this house. I don't know.... I...... I don't know how many minutes...... I will...... sur..... survive. But I want you to know that we diaries are just like humans. This is how I lived my........ life........

By Akshitha Gopi