I woke late the next morning and I had a feeling I had never had before. I concluded that it was a result of my dream the previous night. Truth be told, I felt really happy to see my dad again after such a long time. Seeing my dad again was a reassurance that I am not alone and that he never forgot about me. I did not really like the way I forgot my dad's death anniversary and I made a mental note to never let such happen again.
"When you miss me touch your heart and I will be there. Remember our past memories and miss me no more". I remembered the words my dad said to me in my dream.
I did not quite understand what he meant but I trusted my instincts. I went to my closet and picked up a box with "MOMENTO" boldly written on it and I opened the box. The box contained different items I had bought during visits to places.
There was a blue glass bird I got as a gift from a friend in New Orleans. Ezra and I met at the reception of a hotel we lodged in, I was in room 201 while Ezra was is room 202. He said hi when we met at the reception and I said hi too. The next day, we saw each other again and then started talking. We have a lot in common. Ezra's parents were divorced too and he lived with his mum. He was about two years older and nearly a foot taller. He once showed me around New Orleans since he was familiar with the environment. He bought me the bird at a store we visited. Ever since we never saw each other again. It is almost impossible for us to ever meet again but of course, miracles do happen.
The next item was a sculpture of a camel that I bought in Dubai. I love animals a lot and I got to see a camel for the first time in my life in Dubai. The owner even let me ride. To forever remember the first camel I ever saw, I paid for a sculpture of it. Inside the box was also a model of the Eiffel tower, the London bridge, twin towers and the pyramids of Giza.
The next item got me smiling it was a framed model of a star named after me. After I was awarded the best student in five subjects including science in grade six, my dad felt really happy and proud so he paid for a trip to space. The trip was organized by an organization of astronauts and was opened to students aged ten to seventeen. I was really excited to be a part of that trip, I would never forget my journey to space. A month after I resumed middle school, it was my eleventh birthday. I was called to the principal's office and was given a parcel.
"Happy birthday". The principal said to me as he handed me the parcel.
"Thank you sir" I replied.
I could barely get to the class before opening the parcel. My eleventh birthday gift was a framed star with my name on it "Marvel Jesus" scrawled on it. He also wrote me a letter.
Dear,
Remember when you called me and said that you were having problems fitting into middle school, that gave me the idea of what to get you for your birthday. I paid to name a star after and also framed you the picture and model to help you remember who you are. When you see this gift, you should know that you are a star. It doesn't matter how much I paid to get you this gift, what matters is that you are happy. Love is the greatest currency in the world.
Happy birthday to you darling.
-With love
Dad.
A tear dropped on the letter and I gently dabbed it so that it would not spread to other parts. I folded the letter and put it into its envelope.
I looked into the box for other gifts. I found a hair ribbon, a bow, birthday cards, a Barbie doll, stuffed teddy and my lucky blanket. I also saw the novela we read together (The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter, Jane Eyre and William Shakespeare's Othello and The Tempest). Just when I thought I had seen all the items, my eye caught something. It was a black velvet box. I opened the box and saw a gold necklace inside. The necklace had "Marvel" inscribed in tiny letters on it.
"Touch your heart and I will be there" The words played in my head once again. Now I understood what he meant. I wore the necklace and I cried for all I was worth. I decided to make up for forgetting my dad's anniversary by making sure I never had to forget him.
I placed the small bird and the camel sculpture on my bedside table. I placed the model Eiffel tower and London bridge on the top of my closet since I did not have a shelf. I arranged the books and placed them on the dressing table and hung the framed star Marvel model on a nail right over my bed. I smiled, satisfied that I will never forget dad even if I tried. If only Makaela was here....
I took my bath and got ready for school. It was past seven when I finished. I was going to be late for school the day after my first detention. How bad!
I went to call Simon in his room and saw that he was still asleep. I put my bag by his bedside and sat down on his bed.
"Wake up sleepy head" I threw him a pillow.
"Hey. What's your P?"He said sleepily.
"Rise and shine brother". I teased.
"I would have been up to if I didn't have to save your butt yesterday".
He was right.
"Meet me at blue heavens in a few minutes".
"Okay sis".
"Bye".
"Marvel" He called me back.
"Yes?".
"What did you make for breakfast?".
"Nothing".
"Oh, you are way too lazy for my liking".
I picked up my bag from his bedside and walked out of the house.
I got to blue heavens and found mum taking orders. I sometimes wonder how she managed to work around the clock as she did.
"Hey mum, good morning".
"Good morning baby girl, how was your night?".
"It is well unforgettable". Remembering all that happened the previous night.
"What happened" Mum asked alarmed.
"Nothing much. Guess what day it was yesterday".
She looked at me and then at the calendar on the wall.
"September 16th"
"Yeah, that's right mum, September 16th".
"It wasn't your birthday was it?".
"Mum!"I exclaimed. I was surprised she did not even know my birthday.
"No mum, my birthday is next month".
"Oh good because I do not have a gift yet".
"Mum, don't you know what September 16 means for Makaela and me".
She reflected for a while and then looked me straight in the eye.
"It's the day your father died". Her expression became dull.
"Yes, mother".
"Look, Barbara, there are things that are better left in the past".
"Mum, I know but not like my dad. You do not expect me to forget my dad just like that".
"Barbara....."She reached out to touch me.
"No mum don't you dare touch me"I screamed at her. I felt devastated to hear my mum say such a thing. It's one thing to forget and it's another thing to want to "put things all in the past" as she said.
"Barbara you are creating a scene".
"Is that what you care about mum? Creating a scene. I know he was not your husband anymore even before he died but does not change the fact that he is my father. Makaela is miles away and unaware of what yesterday means in her life or maybe she knows but has no one to talk to because she is there alone and lonely".
"Barbara, let's not have this conversation right now please am begging you".She was already crying. I felt really bad to see my mother like that. I know she had done something to make me and Makaela unhappy but that doesn't change the fact that she is my mother. I should not be making her cry like that.
"Mum am sorry, I do not mean to make you cry like that. It just hurts me to think that you do not care".
"If that's how you feel Barbara then you are wrong. I do care about you and your sister and brother".
"Mum we will talk about this when I get back from school, okay?".
"Okay, darling have a nice day at school".
"Will do, bye mum".
"Goodbye darling".
I went outside the lounge and met Simon talking to a friend.
"Simon, am ready to leave for school".
"Bye dude". Simon told his friend.
I arrived at school at about five minutes past eight. I had only a few minutes before history class.
"Good morning stranger". Kim greeted with all smiles.
"Hey, Kim. Good morning".
"Here, this is the clothes you borrowed me yesterday".
I collected the clothes from her and put it in my bag.
"Thank you so much, Barbie".
"Anytime". I smiled at her and she smiled back.
"it's is really nice that we are friends".
"Yes, I really do value this newly acquired friendship".
She turned and went to her seat.
"Kim" I called from the back.
"Yes?"
"I love it when you call me Barbie".
The History teacher came and then we had Arts and Algebra class after then.
Soon it was break and I went to the principal's office to turn in my essay.
"Hey, Marvel".
"Good afternoon ma".
"Good afternoon to you too".
"I came to turn my essay in".
"I love punctual students".
She read my essay.
"Good piece of writing".
"Thank you ma".
"Don't worry you will get nominated and of course win the election".
"Thanks for the confidence but you can't be so sure".
"I have never been sure in my entire life. It's will be a win-win for us. You do not get suspended and I get what I want too".
I was surprised, what did she want?
Well, two can play that game!