Chapter 11- Worry Free
Melo's morning was peaceful this time. Awakened by his alarm, he had no nightmares and he felt energized to start the day. As usual, Nanny was there to greet him 'Good morning' and so were his maids who helped him bath, dress, and fix his room. As he opened his door, he saw the elegant floral wallpapers and smirked knowing that the initial plan was to paint it but later on decided to use wallpaper instead after his mother saw it on sale. The room felt livelier and the added lavenders gave it a calming aura. He ran down the hallway, dashing straight to the dining room. His folks were seated at the dining table, waiting for him with their sweet smiles. They talked for a while and Melo's father offered to walk Melo to school. Melo hesitated at first, remembering his awful first day in school but he also felt thrilled walking with his dad. This time, he was definitely convinced that what happened a week ago was just a pigment of his imagination or probably another of his bad dreams.
Their neighborhood was as quiet and slow paced as usual except for the children of his same age running and playing in the streets. Melo walked side by side with his father with a smile on his face. His body oozed with confidence. He walked with his chest out and his chin up, following how his dad walked. Everyone in the neighborhood smiled and greeted Mr.Daetes. He was like a celebrity; waving, smiling, that even the grumpy old Mr.Jenkins had a moment of soft heartedness at the sight of Mr.Daetes.
Melo's heart skipped a beat when he saw a big shadowing looming over him. He could see his father leading up the stairs mumbling words and signaling him but all he could hear was his rapid and heavy breathing. His father came closer and Melo felt a warm hand held on to his hand and placed something on his palm. Mr. Daetes' rolled Melo's fingers as if he's asking Melo to guard whatever was inside his fist. Melo turned his head and saw his father squating at his level. Mr. Daetes' smiled at his boy and gave him a slight pat. Melo's face turned red. He felt ashamed at the same time, it also brought him back to his senses.
"What happened?" Mr. Daetes asked.
Melo remained silent and squished his fist. He felt something hard on his palm. He wondered what it was and opened his curled fist. As he opened his fist, Mr. Daetes asked once more.
"Young man, I'm asking you a question. What happened?" Mr. Daetes asked once again.
"It's nothing, Dad. I'm just intimidated to go to school." Melo replied.
Melo remembered that he was curious about what was in his palm so he looked at it and saw paper clips. Confused, he looked at his father.
"Walk with me, son. Not in my shadow but side by side with me." Mr Daetes said.
Melo nodded and tried to keep up with his father's pace.
"Son, your mother and I worked hard to establish all these. We sacrificed a lot, especially time to reach our goals and all of these are for you. Our achievements are not meant to pressure you but to set an example for you. Of course, people will be looking up to you so be proud. You are a Daetes. Walk with pride." Mr. Dates explained.
"What if someday I don't get to make such a great impact as you did?" Melo replied. He stopped for a while. "What if I grow up as a disappointment in the family?" He added and stared at his feet.
"You will still be our son. You will always have a home. You will figure it out. Our achievements can be overwhelming but I know and I can see great potential in you, my son. Even the Monarch says so, if this could help lift your spirit." Mr. Daetes kneeled down to Melo's level. "Remember son, the sun is setting upon me and your mother. Soon, the sun will rise on your side and your light will touch many lives. And--- let's get going. I don't want you getting late for your Monday class." Mr. Daetes brushed off the dust on his knee and stood up. He placed his hand on Melo's back, pushing him to move forward.
"Dad, what are these paper clips for?" Melo asked as they entered the school.
"Well, I noticed that you are anxious and I thought it might help you. It served me as a charm. Everytime I feel anxious, I hold on to those paper clips and I will feel confident that everything will go my way and they always do. The higher your anxiety, the tighter you squeeze on it. It has served me it's purpose so I am handing it down to you." Mr. Daetes replied.
Melo looked at the doors along the corridor 'till he reached his room. "Dad, I think you should go. I don't know but it seems my teacher hates you." Melo said in a low voice.
"Oh nonsense. Come let me do the honors." Mr. Daetes pushed Melo aside and twisted the knob and opened the door slightly then knocked on it. "Excuse me, Ma'am. Pardon my intrusion. I was dropping my kid off at school and I thought since I'm already here maybe I could say a quick high to our dear students. It won't hurt right, miss?"
"Oh, It's Liz, Mr. Daetes. Oh no. No. It's totally fine, Sir. I'm very sorry. Today's my first day teaching." Miss Liz replied.
"It's fine. Well, I better get going. I still need other classrooms to visit. Thanks Miss Liz."
As soon as Melo sat on his chair, His father closed the door behind him without waving goodbye. As usual, he sat beside George who had been grinning the moment he saw Melo's father.
"Dude, your dad is so cool. He actually has time to walk you to school! That's awesome!" George said.
"What happened to Miss Ann? And who is Miss Liz?" Melo questioned.
"I don't know what happened to Miss Ann but from what I heard she resigned and Miss Liz is her substitute teacher. She's a new hire, I guess. I haven't seen her before but who cares? Besides, Miss Liz is much prettier than Miss Ann, right?" George said, grinning and raising his eyebrows.
A gentle knock on the wooden table in front of the class startled George and Melo. "Boys, please keep quiet and let us begin class." Miss Liz said as she turned her back to write on the board. "Turn your books to page 56."
Just like George said, Melo also found Miss Liz better than Miss Ann. Her voice was soothing and she smiled more often than Miss Ann. Melo felt that compared to Miss Ann, she could easily approach Miss Liz if he was having problems in his acads.
Lunch break came and their day went on as usual. The three friends laughed and played during their free time. George as usual would try to flirt with girls from other sections with Coda as his wingman but too bad for him, the girls would rather notice Coda instead of him. Coda, with his straight face, would just turn away from the girls. The girls would swoon and sigh over him while George, on the other hand, would sulk in the corner. Coda would look down on George as if he was some pathetic hopeless romantic. Melo would just come along with them and laugh at their antics.
School ended and Melo felt relieved to have survived the day but he felt something was missing but he would just shrug off the feeling. For five days, this would be Melo's day and each day he has grown fonder and fonder of going to school. He was no longer anxious of the dark shadow looming over him; instead, he saw it as a shade that was sheltering him from the damaging sun. The hallways were no longer empty and narrow in his eyes but filled with people, smiling back at him. He could see their faces, hear their voices, and feel their touch. His small circle of friends grew as the days passed by. He felt content of being a Daetes unlike before that it felt as if a burden for him to carry such a name. From time to time, his friends would drop by the house to pick him up and together, they would run to class. He would ask his parents if he could spend the afternoon with his friends and his folks would simply allow him. They would even invite his friends over for dinner. They would play in Melo's living area till sun down and sometimes would sleep over
.
Melo felt content.
Just as he wished for it, he now doesn't feel alone.
He felt wanted,
seen,
and heard.