The whole night Hanna refused to stay away from Lea. It seemed as if she was frightened and worried about Lea's security. Fred and Joseph did their best to console her. She insisted Lea to get back to her old house. She did not understand why her dad has been called Fred. Her dad's name is Micheal. She started to get some doubts and these thoughts were brooding over her mind.
Next day, Hannah woke up and went to her grandparent's room. It was closed, Lea was not up yet. She knocked the door.
Sheila opened the door and Hannah rushed it. Sheila was too weak after yesterday emotional breakdown. "What happened dear?" Sheila asked her.
"Grandma, why all are calling my daddy as Fred. All said my daddy died when I was in school but when I saw him at the school gate, you know how happy I was. What is happening? Is he not my daddy? Don't say he is not. I love my daddy very much. I want him grandma."
Sheila thought:
What should I do, should I tell her he is her father's brother? should I lie to her he is her father? Oh God, what should I do, if I tell her the truth, she may be sad, if not, she will be sad when she get bigger.
She was in a dilemma. But Joseph was hearing all these mess and was pretending to be asleep.
Its time for him to break the silence. He turned to Hannah,
"Good morning grandpa's sweet heart. Why you are up this early?"
"Grandpa tell me why all call my dad as Fred. His name is Micheal"
"Hannah, my good girl come here, I will tell you"
Sheila stared at him questioning his decision. Joseph did not even looked at Sheila's eyes.
"Your father's name is Micheal. He is my son but passed away when you were too. Whom you saw here is my second son, your father's twin brother, Fred. They are too much similar that made you think it is your dad."
Hannah looked into Joseph's eyes. Tears were rolling down her eyes.
After some time of deep thinking she asked, "What my friends told me is true, right grandpa. I lost my father. So he is in heaven right"
"Yes dear, he is in heaven. We will meet him when we reach there after we are dead."
"Can I die now, I want to see him"
"Joseph, what nonsense are you talking to her", Sheila shouted.
"Come here Hannah, grandma will tell you."
"It is true that you lost your father, but you have Fred as your father now. He is the same as your daddy. Then why you fear."
Hanna looked into Sheila's eyes. She did not understand what is going on in her mind. Hanna went upstairs.
All gathered at the table for breakfast. It is a rule there. All should meet there at the breakfast. Of course a good thing to confirm unity.
Though Lea was serving dishes she noticed Hanna was not there. She called her out. Hanna came out of Michael's room with a big doll in her hand.
Her face was dull and all noticed that her eyes were red. She might have cried a lot.
Joseph was sitting at the family head seat and Fred and Sheila took their seats on either sides of Joseph. Hanna went towards Fred.
When she looked into his eyes, Fred realized she has something bothering in her mind. But at the same time he noticed a sort of fear too in her eyes. 'What might have happened to her'
"Uncle" She addressed him like that. He frowned. "I know you are not my dad. Grandpa told me. Sorry if you don't like me calling dad."
Lea felt a bit eased because she was too much worried about Hanna calling Fred as daddy.
Fred remained struck dumb and the situation was same for Sheila and Joseph.
Hanna continued, "I know my dad is no more." She knelt down near his leg. He had a feel to carry her but he didn't. He want to let her cry to get off the burden in her mind."
She continued weeping ...
"I don't like to call you as uncle. Can I call you daddy so that I too have a daddy who take me to school, you care me, protect me and mummy, my mummy is in danger. I always envied Ann when she come to school with her daddy. When I saw you at the school gate, I was soo happy... I thanked Jesus for giving my daddy back. If you don't like me calling so, I won't. But I need you daddy..." Her cry was like a dagger piercing their hearts....