Aida shockingly stared at the visitor who looked just like her. For reasons unknown to her, her heart ached. She only watched her as she climbed the stairs that lead to the platform. After the visitors took their seats, they were welcomed by the headmistress. The visitors were given the opportunity to introduce themselves. None of the visitors' introduction bothered Aida. She waited patiently for her 'look-alike' to introduce herself. Finally it was her turn to introduce herself.
"My name is Dr Vanessa Brown Wilson. A gynaecologist from Eastland Regional Hospital." Van introduced herself.
Aida looked at Van and gripped the shirt on her chest. The pain she felt in her heart was too intense that she began to feel breathless. Aida who was seriously anticipating this discussion couldn't stand the pain she felt anymore and left the auditorium before the discussion commenced. Aida's grip on her shirt increased as she recalled some past conversations with her dad.
Flashback (4 years ago)
"Gran Gran, what's my mother's name?" Aida asked as she spreaded groundnut on her bread.
Mary suddenly halted and looked at her granddaughter. Her heart ached. She was so young and beautiful and even look like her mother. But she couldn't disclose the identity of her mother to her because she's sworn to the Brown family, she was never going to give them out. She was never going to let anyone know Van was the mother of the child. Mary looked at Aida who was looking at her and said;
"I can't recall her name. But she was a very beautiful and kind woman"
"Gran Gran, when is father coming?" Aida asked.
"Today, 3pm hopefully"
"I can't wait to see him. I have missed him so much"
"Me too"
Aida did all she could to prevent herself from asking questions about her mother. Even though she was young, she wasn't a fool. She saw the look on her grandmother's face when she asked about her mother. She knew the only person who could satisfy her curiosity was her father. Later in the day, after they had eaten supper and were watching Mary's favorite soap opera, Raymond arrived. Excitement was written all over Aida's features and it wasn't lost on Mary nor Raymond.
"Good evening, ma" Raymond greeted his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
"How's my princess doing?" Raymond said and carried Aida in a princess style. He could tell his presence made her happy but for unknown reason(s) he felt nervous.
"Dad, would you like to eat or drink anything?" Aida asked after her father placed her in a sofa.
"Not today, Aida. I am full. I would like to take a shower and go to sleep as soon as possible." Raymond answered and headed towards his room.
"Dad, can I sleep in your room tonight?" Aida asked. Raymond halted in steps, turned to look at Mary for any clue and realized she was as clueless as himself. He turned to look at Aida and replied frantically;
"Why not, my princess?"
"I will come there after an hour. Hope you'd be done by then"
"Hopefully" Raymond replied with a smile and headed towards his room. This wasn't the first time Aida was going to sleep in his room but he felt this sleep over was going to be different from all other sleep overs she's had with him. After an hour, Raymond heard a soft knock on his door.
"Come in" Raymond said as he laid on his bed.
Aida walked in, in her pyjamas and closed the door behind her. For the first time in a long time, Raymond noticed how much Aida looked like her mother. Aida looked just like her! He smiled at his observation and smirked at her.
"Is there any guy disturbing my princess?" Raymond asked.
"Not yet" Aida replied as she tucked herself under Raymond's quilt. Raymond let out a heartwarming laughter and said;
"Not yet? Does that mean you're looking forward to it?"
"Kinda" Aida replied.
"I see...."
"Dad, I'm a girl... and a beautiful one" Aida said and made a cute puppy face and they both burst into laughter.
"Aida, why do I feel like you're here for something" Raymond went straight to the point.
"Dad, can you tell me about my mom?"