The walk from grandpa study seems like there will be no end to it. However, Noelle held back her tears while hugging the box given by her dad. Her emotions are jumbled together. Losing someone that has been her only support in this world and someone that hurts her deeply.
Mama has always been there by her side no matter how apart they were separated. Once Papa leaves them behind, society was not too kind to them. Mama was blamed as someone who does not know how to take care of her husband. The kids in school have started to bully Noelle since her dad has never come to any of the events in the school.
Mama decided to uproot her family and move to a different division in the state so that they can start with a new slate. It was not easy to be in a new environment however both of them managed to make new friends and great neighborhoods where they lived until now.
While other mothers would have scolded their daughter when they found them in a relationship. However, Noelle's mother has never scolded nor restrained her because she believes experience will teach valuable lessons. She was there when Noelle had her first break up. That day Noelle came back from school with swollen eyes and ran straight to her room.
"Noelle~ Noelle~ Are you alright sweetie?"Mama knocks on the door with a concerned expression displayed on her face.
"Hicks! Hicks! Go away!", Noelle replied while sobbing and hiding under her blanket.
"Sweetie~ Mama will wait by your door until you want to talk." Mama sat while leaning her back by the door.
Noelle cries for an hour before opening her door and finding Mama has been waiting while hugging her knees to her chest.
"Mama. Why are you still here?", Noelle eyes get teary again.
"Because I want you to know that I will always be there for you.", she replies. When Mama tries to get up, she almost falls down because she has been sitting on the cold floor causing less blood flow to her legs.
"Mama!", Noelle quickly grabbed and hugged her tightly.
"Mama. I am so sorry." Noelle starts sobbing as her shoulder moves up and down.
"You are the only one that I have left in this world. I would trade the world for you, Noelle." Mama pat's Noelle's back to comfort her.
"Zachary left me for a new girl that transferred in a few months ago.", Noelle started to explain why she had been crying that day. Ever since that girl moved in, the high school seems to revolve around her. The girl has been going on around and breaking people's hearts before laying her eyes on Zachary as her new victim. Soon after Noelle found out Zachary had been cheating on her with the girl.
"Humans tend to be attracted to something new and desire to own them. Probably because new things are always shinier and seem better than the old one that they have already owned.", Mama says softly while patting Noelle's head.
"However, it is normal to have heart breaks in your life. One day you will meet someone that loves you more than they love their own life.", she continued further.
Ever since that day, Noelle has been focusing on her academics and managed to become valedictorian meanwhile the new girl dropped out from school because she ended up getting pregnant without knowing who is the father to the child in her womb. However, Noelle has never wished bad things to happen to the girl. Matter of fact, Noelle has assisted the girl to get help with the government agency so that the girl can be guided and make better decisions for the child and herself.
Mama helped to organize a help group for the girls that has been through the same issue. From this action, less babies were thrown out in random places. The neighborhood has been more open minded on the idea and helps the teenager with unwanted pregnancies instead of ostracizing them out.
Despite being busy with her commitments, Mama has always been visiting Noelle in the capital city every Christmas ever since Noelle left to further her studies. It was a great birthday present for Noelle and at least both of them are not lonely during the festive season. Every evening, they would go cycling and kayaking in the botanical garden located in Putrajaya. Their schedule would always be filled with being a local tourist. However, nothing defeats exploring malls around the city to check on the Christmas decoration. They have done this year that it has been their own tiny tradition.
Noelle regrets that she did not purchase the flight ticket earlier for Mama this year. If only she bought it earlier, Mama would be safe by her side.
Once she reaches her bedroom, Noelle instructs Kian to leave her alone. She put the box on the bed and took a seat while staring at the box. There were carvings around the wooden box with her father's name 'Leon' in cursive right in the middle.
"Clacks!" The noise from the latch mechanism echoed inside Noelle's room.
The lids pop up and reveal piles of letters and pictures of Noelle and her mother. Turns out Papa has been watching them for afar all along. There were pictures of Noelle in all of her piano recitals taken from a hidden angle opposite the stage. Noelle opens one of the letters with the date 12 July 2004.
"Dear Noelle,
I know I would not send this letter to you. Yet I still find myself writing this after watching you perform today. My baby girl, you have done an outstanding job. I would have thrown roses to the stage or maybe make it rain with roses petals around you once you are done with the performance. Sadly, I could not take it a step further because that might cause the scars in you being reopened when you see me.
I have seen you waiting by our house every day since the day I left, however I do not have the courage to come back to you because I was ashamed of what I have done. One wrong step and I have lost everything that I treasured. Papa misses you so much.
I have bought the Pikachu that you wanted, however I am afraid to send it to my baby girl. I am sorry that I am such a coward for not able to face my own wrong doings. I am sorry for leaving you and Mama just because I was blinded by momentary love. When I was lying in a hospital bed after surviving the poison attempt by the woman that I had an affair with, your voice and laughter gave me strength to stay alive. I realize that you and Mama are the one I should protect all I have left in me.
Even my efforts would not be made known however I will still stay by your side albeit from far. I promise that I would never miss any of your competitions and graduation ceremonies. Papa keep your Pikachu sealed in glass and hopefully grandpa will hand it over to you once I pass away. Grandpa has assigned me with a dangerous mission to make up for the mistake that I have made. So I might be gone anytime. But I will always write letters for you as if it will be the last time I will see you. I would not ask you to forgive me because I know I do not deserve forgiveness from Mama and you.
With love from Papa to my baby Pikachu(Noelle),"
Noelle puts down the letter and wipes her tears. She doesn't know what to feel because she has spent most of her life hating that man for leaving her. Noelle walks out of her room and heads towards the stable. She wants to go far away to clear up her mind. Noelle spends thirty minutes of horse riding before she reaches the small river within her grandpa estate. She takes a seat underneath the weeping willow and hugs her knees to her chest.
"Papa. Do you think that I will forgive you just because you are dead?"
"I will not forgive you until you come and ask for forgiveness right in front of me."
"Be a man. Will you? Stare me in the eyes and beg for forgiveness from me."
"Mama!"
"How can you leave me behind?"
"You are the only one that I have!"
"Hicks! Hicks!"
"Both of you are being unfair for leaving me behind in this world!"
"How could you Mama?"
"Please come back. Please Mama. Don't leave me alone."
Noelle cries her heart out while talking to herself while occasionally shouting. Hopefully the heavy boulder can be lifted from her heart. The gentle cold breeze helps to dry out her tears from her cheeks. Just like the tree, Noelle is weeping as she is now an orphan.
Not far from the place Noelle was sitting down, a tall and dark figure watching her in a suspicious manner.