Out

 “Hey, I don’t see you around these days!”

“Ohh hi! Well, I have been quite busy you know…now with the new job and all”

“Even on weekends? You know I got a place quite close to your work right? I handle all these spots so that you can hang out whenever you want.”

“Umm yea I guess. Maybe next week?”

“Next week is what you promised me three months ago.”

“Ugh…I will…try to come! My parents are coming every week anyway right?”

“Your parents are good people but I care about you as well. Don’t you get it? Is there something you wanna tell me? I have seen you sharing some pretty controversial stuff about me online.”

“Wait a minute. I do not think we follow each other on social media. How do you see my posts?”

“Come on, you know I work in mysterious ways!”

“I am not sure if I am entirely comfortable with that invasion of my privacy”

“For my sake do not fret about it! Here, I have a gift for you. Wear this when you come to my place next week.”

“What is this? A headscarf? Why? You know I don’t use those.”

“You are supposed to! Wear it for my sake! At least when you are there next week.”

“Actually I do not think I  wanna come next week…or ever”

“You do not mean that!”

“What if I do?”

“What has come over you, my child? Your folks have always been happy to be at my company. We have been doing this for centuries. What has changed of late?”

“Well, I have been doing some reading and talking. Turns out that you have not been entirely honest with me after all. Most of my ancestors would have grown up believing your miraculous tales but you have also harmed others who questioned you, right? Branded them, criminals.”

“It’s not like that. I love you all. Including those, you told me about. Their minds were corrupted. Poisoned with lies. I tried to show them my benevolence but they would have none of it. I had to act before they spread their poison to others.”

“You punished some for saying that the Earth was revolving around the Sun, and not vice versa, as you used to claim.”

“Please do not bring that up again. I made a mistake that one time. A horrific mistake I deeply regret every single second.”

“You punished people for loving someone irrespective of their gender.”

“I did that to protect you! What if your father had loved another man? Or your mother had been with another woman? Would you have been born? That behavior would have led to your very extinction! Of course, I wouldn’t stand for it. I love you”

“So you would rather have people live their lives the way you want, even against their wishes, so that they can simply produce more people who grow up worshipping you. How narcissistic are you”

“I am getting worried about you, child. The words that come out of your mind - so much malice! I command you to visit my place next week along with your parents. We should have a good talk.”

“I am not afraid of your commandments. I am not coming.”

“You do not want to incur my wrath, kid. Come to my place next week, and I will absolve you of your sins.”

“Stop telling people that they are born as sinners. Our lives are hard enough as it is, and we could do away with the guilt-tripping. Anyway, I do not think that you would want me there next week.”

“Why do you say that?”

“According to my monthly cycles, I am supposed to have my periods around that time. Would you still let me in?”

“Dammit!”

“Thought so. I would rather be out anyway.”