Present day
Vanessa felt nervous as she climbed the stairs. She felt an intense gaze from the audience. No! it seemed that gaze was from a specific someone. Vanessa turned only to see a face like hers staring at her! She halted in her steps and turned to look at her sisters.
"Van, is everything ok?" Ciara asked cautiously.
Vanessa turned to look at the girl again, and climbed the stairs nonchalantly like nothing had happened. She was glad her eyes didn't meet the young girl's.
"Yeah, I think so" Vanessa replied and climbed the stairs that led to the platform. The visitors were allowed to introduce themselves. Vanessa couldn't keep her eyes off the girl and she realized the girl had been gripping the shirt on her chest for a long time. Vanessa sighed and decided to occupy her mind with the reason why she was in the school at that moment.
"Dr Brown, your turn" Mrs Archie beaming with a smile which spoke tons of adoration.
"Thank you, Mrs Archie" Vanessa fumbled and began to introduce herself.
"My name is Dr Vanessa Brown Wilson. A gynaecologist from Eastland Regional Hospital." Vanessa said and saw the girl leave the auditorium.
****
"Major Michaels, you have a visitor" Colonel Debra said while he kept his gaze on Aida who was approaching them.
"Who can this visitor be?" Raymond replied as he turned to follow the Colonel's eyes.
"I don't think she's in a good mood. Cheer her up!" Colonel Debra said and adjusted himself in his seat.
Raymond watched his daughter approach them like a walking dead and he knew and felt something was amiss. Aida knocked and waited to be granted permission to enter the Colonel's office. When permission was finally granted, she stood in front of her father ignoring all forms of formalities and asked almost in a whisper;
"Is she Vanessa Brown Wilson?"
Raymond's eyes widened and for a brief moment, shock was written all over his features. The same thing could be said about the Colonel, he was shocked beyond reasonable doubt. Raymond suddenly stood up and in an attention form, and sought the Colonel's permission to leave work for two hours.
"Stand at ease, Major. You have been granted permission for a leave of 48 hours. You can only report to work after 48 hours, unless there is an emergency that will need your immediate assistance"
"Thank you, Colonel" Raymond said and saluted him.
"That's the best I can do for you for now" Colonel Debra replied and tapped Raymond gently on the shoulder. "Everything will be alright"
"Thank you, Arnold" Raymond replied the Colonel and led the way for Aida.
Raymond held Aida's hand and walked her to his car. He opened the door next to the driver's seat and made her sit. He took the driver's seat, made sure their seatbelts were in the correct positions and drove off to the nearest quiet place in uttermost silence.
"Aida, what happened?" Raymond broke the silence.
"Is my mom, Vanessa Brown Wilson?" she asked with tears threatening to explode.
Raymond sighed heavily, unlocked his seatbelt and answered; "Yes, she is"
"Why dad? Why did she desert us? Does she hate me that much?" Aida asked as tears streamed down her face.
"Sweetheart, don't cry too much" Raymond said as he reached out to hug her. "I made a terrible mistake in the past. It's kind of complicated. Tell me what happened"
"She came to my school! She was among the invited guests"
Raymond jolted. A sharp pain rushed through his heart and suddenly the air in the car become too dense for him which suffocated him. He hurriedly open the door and stepped out. He took in a deep breath and let it out for several times whiles unconsciously gripping the shirt on his chest. Aida rushed to his side.
"Dad, are ok?" Aida asked anxiously. Just then a drop of water fell on her cheek which startled her.
****
Colonel Debra sat down and couldn't help himself think about what could have made Aida so sad. 'How did she even come across Vanessa's name?' he thought. Just then he heard his phone ringing which distracted his thought.
"Hello" Colonel Debra said.
"Hello, Arnold. Long time no see"
It was that voice, it's her!