After 20 years,
“You lied to me”, I cried, looking at my parents who lies on the hospital bed. Cold.
“Dad, you promised me you would take me to Amsterdam. TO YOUR HOMELAND. But you broke your promise. It was not just about seeing him but to once again see the p-place I g-grew up in.” I sobbed, looking at my parents laying lifeless. “Y-you b-broke y-your promise to stay with me always.” I hold my mom’s hand and sobbed more because I couldn’t feel the warmth she gave me whenever I was sad. I cried knowing my father would never console me, would never teach me, would never talk to me like my best friend.
I lost my two best friends, who were among those people who were the reason of my happiness. I shook them; I shouted to them to open their eyes, but they never did.
I felt Mandy hugging me. “Why are they not opening their eyes, Mandy? Whenever I cried, they came to console me, at least they used to just hug me. They did that even when I said nothing, but now even when they hear me crying my balls out, they are not even opening their eyes. WHY MANDY WHY DID THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE THIS WORLD WITHOUT EVEN SAYING A GOODBYE TO ME?” “WHYYYYYYYYYYY??”
She didn’t say a word. She just hugged me. After a while the doctor came to take them to the morgue. I just watched my parents being taken away from me I couldn’t do anything. I was tired. Exhausted. Felt lifeless.
“It is all because of me. If I had just stayed at home, they would have never come out of the house. If I had just stayed at home and not came to yours.” I said to Mandy.
Mandy’s parents shook their head. “Sweetheart they came because we asked them to come. They knew that you were going to stay at ours. I wanted them to come so we could hang out. Sorry kid.” Uncle Nick apologised to me but I felt he said sorry to me for another reason. It may be my stupid thought telling me I am too exhausted, that I am imagining things.
“No uncle, don’t apologise please.”
“Child, I don’t know whether its right timing, but I have to tell you this. Stay with us. We will take care of you.”
“No, she will stay with me.” said a very familiar voice. I turned around to see my mom’s brother walking towards us “Uncle Nat.” I said under my breath, not believing he is here.
He hugged. “When your mother called me and asked me to come, I never thought it will be to see her in this way. It’s been so many years since I have last seen and you.” Tears started welling up in his eyes as he hugged me. “My, my, you have grown into a beautiful young lady just like how your mother used to be and still is. Well, it’s been 20 years, nothing to be surprised of. I missed you, Cupcake.”
When I heard him calling me the nickname, new tears started forming in my eyes. He used to call me cupcake when I was a kid, cupcake was my favourite and I have even fought with kids under my age for cupcake.
“My dear, don’t cry now. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Don’t worry, I will always be there for you.” When I heard those last words, I cried even more. “That’s what my dad used to say whenever I was sad n-now…”
“Oh. I am so sorry, but I will always protect you, sweetheart.” I nod, knowing that he will.
“Oh, you must be Damien’s friend I am Nathaniel Nina’s brother.” He introduces himself to uncle Nick, who looks like he doesn’t appreciate Uncle Nat’s presence.
“Why haven’t I heard anything about a Nathaniel until now?” asked uncle Nick. Is it because uncle Nat is now my guardian that uncle Nick doesn’t like uncle Nat? Or am I imagining things again?
Uncle Nat releases me and says, “It’s because I was always on travel and never paid my sister a visit. Well now, I can only feel guilty about that, what else can be done.” He sighs and searches his jacket pocket and takes out a paper. He shows uncle Nick a paper saying “this is the fax I received from Nina saying I should take proper care of Katherine. I was confused as to why she makes me her guardianship. Now everything becomes clear.”
“Well, don’t think it clears you just because you show me a picture. I will always look out for kat.” What is uncle Nick’s problem? Why is he acting hostile to uncle Nat?
“Good to know that my niece has people to take care of.” He smiles at uncle nick and then faces me. “Darling, can we go to my home now? I don’t think you should stay here anymore. This atmosphere will make you more depressed. I will arrange everything for the funeral. Come.”
……
“okay this is your room. Make yourself comfortable.” I go over to the windowsill and look out to see the beautiful city.
“I know how much devastated you must be, but just know that you have so many people out there to make you feel alive again. For example, your uncle Nick. Though he doesn’t like, I can imagine why. A person who hasn’t been mentioned all these years suddenly appears to protect his niece that is something that someone who cares cannot digest. To be very honest, if the roles were reversed, I would have kicked his ass.” That made me giggle.
“There there, I am glad to know I can still make you laugh. I thought I must be rusty.” I go to him and hug him very hard. “Thank you, uncle Nat. Thank, you so much.”
“Don’t thank me I am just doing what I am supposed to do. Taking care of his lovely niece. Go freshen up and go sleep. We have an early day tomorrow. I don’t think you would appreciate me doing all the things for the funeral. So, we both will do it.” Tears welled up in my eyes.
“Yes, uncle, you are right. Night.”
“Night sweetie.”
………
“I think these white flowers can selected for the background, sir.”
As he said, we got out of the house early in the morning. To say I look like a demon would be an understatement of the year. Well, when you have a funeral to be arranged, I don’t think anyone will at least be able to sleep a wink.
Now we are standing in front of a flower shop. Choosing the flowers for the funeral. Well, uncle Nat is choosing while I am just standing there looking into nothing.
All of a sudden, I see a very familiar figure getting out of the car parked far away from where I am standing. That is someone that I would recognise even if he is dot sized.
“RYDER!!!”