Gracia went numbed. She didn't figure out that this question would be popping out. She went cold. Her nerves felt unresponsive. She didn't know what to answer."I really didn't get you, father," said Gracia, trembling with fear. Mr. Heiden could figure out her sense of impulsiveness and panic. He felt that maybe Gracia wasn't ready to answer him. Perhaps, she wasn't prepared enough to talk to him about Werner."There is no need to fear, Grace. You can talk to me about it. I ensure you that I will understand," said Mr. Heiden, figuring out that this was the best way through which he can let Gracia overcome her fear of discussing such topics with parents. He wanted his child to feel free for matters relating to such topics. After all, it is our parents who guide us through thick and thin."Yes, I do like him," Gracia said positively. She hoped her father would understand. "Okay, what do you think about him?" Mr. Heiden was trying to build a bond of trust with her daughter. He could understand clearly that she was growing young and being in her mid-teens, she definitely can develop such infatuation for anyone. This kind of fascination comes only at this age, he thought."He is a nice person," this was all Gracia could think about to tell his father. While in the process of this discussion, she wondered if she was doing right in telling what she feels. What if her father did not approve of their relationship? What if he denied her to talk to Werner anymore? All these questions were raising Gracia's anxiety. She couldn't figure out if telling about Werner to her father was conventional or not."Just nice?" asked Mr. Heiden."Yeah, he is good at academics as well as sports. Every teacher appreciates him. He is like inspiration to all," Gracia tried her best to convey her feelings in the best possible manner but at the same time, she tried to conceal the fact that she loved Werner. Her father could read her brain easily. He could sense that she was trying to hide."If you really love him, why are you hiding it?" Mr. Heiden asked straightforwardly, hoping that Gracia would really let her true feelings out."Yeah, I do," Gracia couldn't hide it anymore. She confessed her feelings for Werner to her father."Just you? Doesn't he too like you?" Mr. Heiden asked this out of curiosity. He really did not know if Werner also had developed feelings for Grace."Yeah, he too does,"Mr. Heiden really did not know how to react to this type of circumstance. He once thought that maybe he should ask his daughter to put a halt on this relationship but he felt it would be too soon to react on anything. He didn't want that his daughter may feel heartbroken if things turned out unfortunate in the future."Do you feel happy with him?" "Yes, dad. My happiness knows no bound in his presence," Grace said this confidently, feeling that maybe her father could really approve her bond with Werner."That's nice, child. Werner is a good boy. I too like him but being your father I really need to guide you through every walk of life. You are sixteen. You are young and exile and…" Mr. Heiden paused for a minute, trying to grab correct words to explain her daughter. He wanted to convey his thoughts in the best possible way.
"When I was of your age, I too developed such feelings for a girl. I liked her a lot; she too developed feelings for me. We were in deep love," Gracia listened to her father patiently. She never saw this side of her father. Although everything felt strange to her at this point, she kept listening to her father, patiently."She was the most beautiful girl in our school. We both were in love. But things didn't work out and we had to separate. That separation was an irreparable loss to me. I felt depressed and sad. So let me clear you this fact my child that before loving somebody else, you should love yourself first," Mr. Heiden expressed his views exactly in his words. His words touched Gracia. "So, what happened next?" Gracia wanted to know more. The curiosity in her eyes could be seen by her father."Nothing much. I married the person who loved me the most, your mother," Mr. Heiden elucidated."But why did you both separate?" Gracia asked eagerly, wanting to know everything."Because our families didn't approve so. We belonged to different castes and therefore, we couldn't unite. I felt bad. I thought how can castes decide whether two persons can love each other or not? But I had to admit it as my fate and then I met your mother, the only person, I feel, who can understand not only my words but my silence too," Mr. Carter shed his love for Mrs. Heiden."Are you happy now?" Grace asked."Yes, I am now but frankly speaking, when a person is so close to your heart and in a moment they separate from you, it is not easy to cope up. Their memories hit you sometimes, silently. No matter how much you try to overcome, you can never forget that that person was once your heart," said Mr. Heiden with a sigh."But when I see your mother, I feel I am really blessed to have her in my life. She is the best person I have ever met. And now I doubt that I may not be as compatible with my childhood's love as I am with Ellen," said Mr. Heiden with a smile on his face."Okay, enough storytelling for now. Remember what I said to you today. Love yourself before loving anybody, Grace" said Mr. Carter, hoping that Gracia has understood his words completely."Okay, but does mommy knows about it?" asked Grace"Yes," said Mr. Carter."One last question, dad," Grace said with sparkle of curiosity in her eyes"What was her name?" she asked."I said enough storytelling, Grace. We will talk about it some other day," Mr. Heiden felt that since he has forgotten all the memories related to his childhood's love, he didn't want to put up her name. Maybe it is best to never let such memories revive again, he thought."Okay, dad, and thanks for understanding me. I will remember your words, every time," said Gracia."Thanks for understanding my words too, child," replied Mr. Carter back.
.....To be continued...PS:Hit the like button below, it's totally free:)Do drop your suggestion in the comment section below.Also share it with your near and dear ones.Have a great day:)