I am really sorry madam; we tried all that we could to save him".
*Sobbing*
And there I was, holding my mother's hand, as she fell to the ground after the sudden news. I thought mother would be happy about the news, but instead she cried? Oh, certainly I may be seeing things. If anything, we should be celebrating that he is gone, we should be happy that you are a free woman. Why would you cry for someone that brought you so much pain, that made you suffer, made us suffer, why? I thought to myself. I will never understand you, will I mother? Afterall she is my mother, and I, her daughter and I will stand by her especially now when she needs me the most.
Now this black dress doesn't suit you mother and definitely doesn't suit me, I said as I struggled to put on the dress
"Melody, I do not need your drama, ok? So please just wear the dress."
Drama? mother I am being honest, if there's anyone, who's been acting up its you. You have been crying, mother. A man that never cared for us, it's a bit weird don't you think. I understand whatever relationship you both had, but what I do not understand is why you shed a tear for such a man. Make me understand mother, please?
"Oh melody, you know sometimes I wonder, who you get your big mouth from." she said with a big smile. "He is family, regardless. One day, you will grow up to understand what I feel for your father. Now please wear that dress and behave nice to our guest, ok? Melody?"
Yes mother, I answered reluctantly. I will never feel that way, mother. I need not be in your shoes to understand how cruel he was to us. He was known to be one of the most smartest and hardworking men in the city, yet here we are. This death serves as compensation for all the years we have had to deal with him, I said as I struggle to wear the black dress.
*Knocks on the door*
"Mel, i am so sorry about your father, my condolences to you and your mother. By the way, how have you been Mel, she said, with her hands on my waist, as we walked pass the entrance.
My sister loved your father so much, I hope she recovers from this . if I wasn't family, I would say you look rather happy for someone who just lost her father. Is everything alright, my darling, you can always talk to me".
I know aunt Grace; it looks like I have lost it. I know I look nothing like mother and it must be shocking for you because I haven't smiled this long in my entire life and she has been crying her eyes out since the day we got the news, But I am fine trust me, you need not worry about my sanity, they are perfectly intact, even now more than ever, I answered.
If I told you the truth aunt grace, I would only sound like an ungrateful child who has ignored all effort from her hard-working father. Wouldn't you judge me, for what I'd have to say? Father fooled you all, as to being a gentleman, caring for mother, and I, when he never in fact did any of them. Mother worked for everything we have, and what did he do, well he would go out, all filled from the food she provide and come home wasted, he would lash out on me , lash out on mother most of the time, because she was always defending me.
"Melody, I do not want you there",
"Mel get inside"
"You won't be joining them today".
And lastly, he said to me "you're a failure Mel, you are not my child. I cannot give birth to something as hopeless as this". And you expect me to be sorrowful, like mother, I said with so much disdain.
What good, am I to write about such a man? My family might be aware of the relationship I had with my late father, but no one else is to know. It is every first child's duty, to write an eulogy for their father, in other cases, both parties share a beautiful father and daughter relationship which makes it easy, well, in my case, I have to write a lie. I have explained this to mother, but it seems, mother would prefer I make a fool of myself.
* Clears throat *
Mr Charles, a loving father and husband...,
I said as I burst into laughter, oh my, this is rather hard than I thought. I would come up with a lie right now and mother wouldn't waste a second to believe me, yes, I am that good. I have less than ten minutes to write a piece about him. I am brilliant when it comes to things like this, I just cannot think of anything at the moment. I shall explain to mother that this is absurd, writing good things about him does not seem to work, perhaps.....
"I can help? I also have a bit of knowledge in writing and also in lying. I am deeply sorry about your loss. Your father was a….."
A great man? I presume that is what you wish to say about a man you know nothing about. Everyone here seems to know this "Great man" more than I do, isn't that strange, I mean I am his daughter and I ought to know everything about him, not that I care but I am fully aware of my responsibility to him.
"your father saved my dog twice, so yes he is a great man. Firstly, why do you think of him in such light, I mean he is your father, is he not? Secondly, where did you learn to speak so eloquently, I mean from the way you speak, one can tell you read a lot of books??. I have never seen you at dynasty hall, although I am not very certain that you go there," he said as he walked round me.
I have never been given such compliments. Unlike the rest which sounds vulgar, demining, this is music to my ears, I said while keeping my emotions in check.
Thank you very much, I work very hard on myself, being that I do not have the same Privilege as you, so no, I do not attend Dynasty Hall. Whatever thought I have about my father is nobody's business. Now if you would excuse me, I was working on a piece, before you distracted me.
"perhaps I can help, melody. I wrote something about him months ago, because he saved my life, twice.. I wasn't able to give it to him in person because of the obvious reasons, so I think you might need it. I may not be so learned as u are but I don't write so bad, so please take it." He said as he walked away.
How gentlemanly of you, to leave without a name, I said anxiously. I will not lie, he is attractive, and he portrays all that I may need in a man and most especially sounds nothing like father. A man that understands fashion, he certainly was not raised here, because, I mean if he was then he wouldn't compliment me. No one has ever complimented my intelligence, not even a man.
"I did not think you were interested. If you take your time to read through the piece I wrote for your father, you will, most definitely remember me. What is not certain is, when you finally remember me, Would you accept me?" he said as he walked away.
Remember what, remember who? Why do I need to accept him?