A detailed map of the mall was distributed to the public so as to know their way around the mall. The restrooms were also indicated. The mall was stuck with different designs and brands. The children were super excited whenever their stores were patronized. Since it was their first day opening, discount prices were on for the whole stores. For the week. The sales attendants were sharp and the lastest payment gadgets were installed by John and some of his course mates. He was grateful the machines were working well. The cleaners also did their cleaning job neatly. A flex banner was advertised outside the mall about the order app and a QR code reader was attached on the flex. So many people tested the app and liked how fast they were in delivery.
When the shop was officially opened and people came in, they saw the clothing store which had the name JuJu's boutique/apparels. They also saw the John and Anita accessories store. Moving over to the restaurant and coffee shop, they were awed by the designs. It was named Penny's Delicious Arena/Coffee shop. The hair and beauty services department was known as Look Good store. The grocery/confectionery was known with the name "Shop Me." The pharmacy was the Brandon's Family while the photography studio was "Look Good For The Gadgets in Photography" the names of these stores made people laugh and they had fun trying their services.
The Brandon Super Mall opening was advertised on TV and radios. Even on newspapers. The shop was filled with people and Jerry felt fulfilled when he saw the happy faces in the crowd. He felt touched when he saw Jenny and Henry buy an expensive product and refused a discount. He cleared the tears that appeared on his eyes as he watched them through the TV. Everybody had fun and left when it was 8PM. The mall closed and everybody went home fulfilled.
......
"Woah!" Jenny exclaimed as she kissed her babies each on their cheeks. She smiled at them and told them how proud she was of them. Although they were tired, they felt fulfilled. John noticed his father was not seated with them and went to his room. He knocked on the door and Jerry opened it. He smiled at his dad who also gave a small smile, "can I come in?" John asked.
"Yeah, sure-sure," he replied and opened the door wide for John to enter.
"Thank you," John said as he entered, "congratulations dad."
The word "dad" coming out from John's mouth was foreign to him, he was used to being called "uncle." "You called me dad?" Jerry asked surprised.
"Yes," John said to him, "dad."
"Come here son," Jerry was filled with excitement. They both hugged as tears voluntarily flowed out from Jerry's eyes. John felt it too. After a while, they released each other and Jerry held his hands, "I am sorry for all the bad things I have done," Jerry was saying, "please find a way in your heart to forgive dad," he said wanting to kneel but John stopped him.
"No dad, don't. We all make mistakes at one point in our lives. Like what a wise mother once said to me, the sin doesn't matter much. It is the change of heart that matters. How you feel after committing that sin. I can see you have sincerely changed and I won't let you feel too guilty for loosing out on me," John was saying, "you are my dad and I will always be your son."
Jerry felt touched with all what John was saying. Truly forgiveness is divine. To err is hunan, to forgive is divine. Jerry was extremely touched. The two were engrossed and didn't notice the group of people staring at them through the open door. It was Penny's applause that made them to see the crowd that had gathered at the door. "Penny," Jerry called and she went to meet him and hugged him. "Thank you all of you," he commended them, "especially you big brother and wife. You never paid my bad with bad rather, with good. All the things in the store, I didn't," tears flowed out, "I didn't put a single cent. It was you all who made it happen and yet you still bought an expensive product and still shopped online," he was crying while saying this, "I am deeply touched by your act of kindness and I am grateful for all the things you have done. You took good care of my son and allowed him follow his dream course. You also let him feel among your children and never to feel lonely. I am deeply grateful," he commented and cleaned his tears.
"It's fine now," Henry said to him, "you are my only brother and I will give you the best within my capability," he added and hugged Jerry. The whole family was touched including Bryn.
"It's okay," Jenny said, "we made an order for food and it will soon be delivered. We are going to taste how experienced Penny's cooks are and give our comments," she told them and they were all excited to eat. Jerry felt weak in the knees and was grateful towards them. They all left to their various rooms to freshen up and wait to eat.
That night was the best night in Jerry's life that he could never forget. He experienced how being called a father felt like. He was proud of his son and his niece and nephew. He loved them all and made a mental note to be available for them all. They were all happy and ate and danced then cracked jokes and slept in the parlour.