ELI Jonson’s Secret (i)

Winter already came, it has been 3 months but Eli was still silent. He didn’t speak a word no matter how hard his father tried to love him. This was gradually turning his father really hopeless. He tried everything doctors, physiatrist everything. He even took him out for holidays but nothing seemed to make the child talk, the very least he would do is smile once in a while that too when he is alone playing when his father and Cordelia are around he won’t even smile. At one point Cordelia couldn’t take this either deep down in her heart she believed she is the reason why the child has become like this and her husband has lost his smile, peace of mind as well. Every day Edson would go running to Eli’s room with only one hope in his heart that maybe today his son will call him dad once again, maybe he would smile like before when he saw his dad. But every time he gets out of his son’s room with a very sad expression like his whole world has stopped. There was nothing in the world he loved more than Cordelia and his son Eli. They were his only family. Edson thought both his son and wife are deeply hurt, he should apologize to both for not being a better father or husband. One evening after returning home as usual he went to his son’s room and came out of the room with a very sad face then he went to his wife to talk. He hugged her from behind. Cordelia was a little surprised at first because it’s been a while since the last time her husband showed affection towards her but deep down she was happy as well. She didn’t say anything when her husband hugged her she stood still, then Edson started to apologize. He broke down in tears and said there was no other woman in his life or ever will be, his wife means the world to him, Cordelia turned towards him and saw his crying face his eyes were filled with tears she could only see pain and desperation for forgiveness in her husband’s eyes. She still didn’t say anything. Edson lowered his head and got on his knees, he begged Cordelia to believe him and forgive him. Cordelia couldn’t hold on to her anger anymore because Edson was the first and only man she ever loved. To her, Edson was the core of her life. She strokes Edson’s hair and asked him to get up. She held his hands and asked him to sit down by her. She said she also thought many things but she could never think of a life without Edson. She will be alive but never be happy. And she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life seeing Edson crying or her suffering silently. Edson wiped his tears and asked can’t we start fresh again? Cordelia saw Eli standing outside of their room and seeing everything. She hugged her husband and said yes me you Eli we all will start together and we will live happily as a family. Edson was really happy he couldn’t hold his tears and cried hugging his wife. Cordelia showed Eli that he is part of her life she will not reject him anymore. Eli saw this and when he heard he was a family too he was so happy he stood there smiling watching his father and Cordelia hugging each other. Cordelia saw Eli smiling after such a long time she felt her guilt lifting off her chest a little bit. She thought she will help this child to find happiness so what if this is not her child it’s not his fault. She promised herself to love him just like a mother. After seeing his parents so happy Eli didn’t want to disturb them so he went back to his room. Actually, he was out of crayons so he took the empty box to show his father so he would buy him a new box the next day but even he didn’t get new crayons she got to see his parents smiling together for the first time in a long while. He was so happy he hugged his teddy bear and just rolled on the bed. Later it was dinner time, today for the first time Cordelia cooked for Eli. She made him his favorite pasta Eli couldn’t believe it when Cordelia said I made your favorite pasta for you today while smiling at him. Edson saw this Eli’s eyes were sparkling with joy Edson trued to tease him and tried to take s share in his pasta but Eli would never share this food with anyone no matter what Eli started eating so fast so his father will not be able to get a single bite he choked Cordelia got him water and stoke his hair she told Edson not to mess with his son and let her eat properly. Eli could not hold his tears when he heard Cordelia calling his son. He started crying she hugged him and said it’s going to be okay there’s no need to cry anymore. That night she slept on Cordelia’s alp while she sang him a song. That was the best night in Eli’s life he didn’t want to sleep because he thought this might be a dream and if sleeps he has to wake up from this dream but that’s not the case. The next morning as well Cordelia came to wake him up he got up from bed in a single jump he was so happy that it was not a dream, he tried to call her mom but the maid's words kept ringing in his ears. Cordelia saw him being silent again she then hugged him and said its okay no need to be sad you can call me mom now; you can say anything I will listen to all of your words but Eli didn’t say anything he kept looking at her smile. She then felt sad as well when he didn’t call her mom anymore but she changed the subject she said today’s going to be a big day because our Eli is going to be a student, yes we are getting our Eli admission in school today. Eli looked really nervous at first, but Cordelia dressed hi tidied his hair and when he stood in front of the mirror with Cordelia she said everyone will like a prince like you in school so don’t be nervous. Cordelia knew a change of pace will help to ease his mind and school is the best place for a child to communicate with others. Although they were a very wealthy family, they still chose to admit their son to a common nursery school. This was Cordelia’s idea, Edson wanted to admit his son to a prestigious school but he still agreed when she told him that it will help him to communicate with normal people instead of high society children. What he needs is to enjoy the time he spends only then he will be able to open up his heart.

And so all three of them left for school. Cordelia and Edson were talking to the teacher to explain Eli’s condition and while they were talking Eli went to the playground other students of his age were playing, laughing this picked his interest. When the students saw him they all came and asked him many questions

“What is your name?

How old are you?

Are you a new student here?

Will you play with us?

They all asked so many questions he couldn’t answer them although he wanted to talk with them, he just couldn’t make any sound. When he didn’t answer them all the other children thought he didn’t want to be friends with them so they all went back to playing. Eli felt sad he really wanted to talk with them and play with them. He lowered his head and stood there watching them. He was about to go to the teacher’s room to his parents then suddenly a girl grabbed his hands. When he looked back and saw the girl he thought what cute creature is this. The girl was wearing a pink frock and her hair was tied nicely she looked really cute in Eli’s eyes. The girl grabbed his hand started pulling him to play with her. He didn’t understand why she was pulling him. Then he tried to stop her then she spoke

“me play come”

“me friends”

She was two years younger than Eli so she couldn’t talk that well. Eli thought she was funny he laughed and went with her to play. They went to the playground's sandbox. At first, Eli didn’t understand what to play in a sandbox then she said

“castle! castle”

Eli understood she wanted to build a castle with him. So both of them started to build the castle but the castle fell and broke Eli got worried he thought she will start crying. But then she got up and patted Eli’s head and said

“no cry

Pain pain go away”

Eli just looked at her and he gave a really heartfelt smile. This little girl who couldn’t even talk properly was worried about him he thought she was really cute. Edson and Cordelia saw everything. Edson thanked Cordelia, she just stood there and smiled. Little by little Cordelia wanted to fix everything only by doing this she can forgive herself for making a child only six years old going through such suffering. She felt really happy seeing Eli laugh and play like that.

Then Edson and Cordelia went towards the sandbox. Eli saw his parents coming he stood up ad was about to go to them then suddenly the girl grabbed his shirt and said

“again tomorrow play”

Cordelia saw this and smiled at the girl and said

“yes he will play with you tomorrow as well right Eli?”

Eli nodded with a smile. The girl got really happy. And so they went back home. That night Eli couldn’t wait for morning. He wanted the morning to come faster so he could go and meet his new friend. Cordelia understood his excitement and she told him if you sleep early the morning will come early too. She hugged him and tucked him into sleep. After Eli was asleep she went back to her room to Edson. The next morning Eli got up early she tidied his hair and was ready for school. When Cordelia came to wake him up he was standing there packing his bag with the new books his father bought for him last day. Cordelia stood there laughing and said

“are we all set sir?” He nodded with a big smile.

They had breakfast and since it was his first day as a student both of his parents went with him. The teacher greeted every student at the main door. And talked with every parent to rest assure. Eli waved bye to his parents and went inside. They all attended their lessons. And now it was time for playing and snacks. Cordelia packed lots of chocolates and his favorite sandwich. He wanted to share the chocolates with his friends, he went to give all of the students' chocolates but they wouldn’t take them from him since he doesn’t talk with them. He felt sad. Then the girls came and took some chocolate. And said

“all friends, be friends”

Everyone understood what she meant and thought there’s no harm in taking chocolates. They all took chocolates from Eli and thanked him. The teacher saw everything then the teacher called everyone except for the girl and Eli. They were still playing. Then the teacher explained to everyone why Eli couldn’t talk and asked everyone to be nice to him. They all said yes. But kids were kids, they would still maintain a distance since Eli could never express his feelings. It was hard for the other kids to understand him. So Eli had only one best friend that was the girl. Eli always wanted to ask her name but since he couldn’t utter any word he could never ask her. The day ended and Cordelia went to pick him up. Eli said goodbye to the girl and the teachers and went with her. That day after they got home Cordelia got him a present. It was a diary and a pen. Cordelia told Eli

“you can write anything in this no matter what you feel just write in it”

Eli felt really happy. He happily accepted the present. And he started to write his feeling about how the day went, how much he liked his friend and everything. Cordelia would secretly go into his room to check the diary; she was concerned about him being bullied at school. But she was relieved after she read the diary. Like this a month passed by, gradually everyone in Eli’s class became his friends. He would write everything he wanted to say to his friends and they understood so, in the end, they all became friends. But he still didn’t ask his best friend's name and he was really trying hard to talk again. He wanted to ask her name not write it in a notebook. He worked really hard and was able to speak again but his parents didn’t know about this nor did he wrote it in his diary so even Cordelia wasn’t aware of it. Eli wanted to surprise everyone on his birthday. He invited everyone in his class with Cordelia. And so his birthday came it was 6th august. Cordelia decorated the house really beautifully. Made many dishes and she ordered a really beautiful cake. The dining table was full of it. All of his friends started to come. Eli was eagerly waiting for the girl to come. But till the very end, she didn’t come. Everyone left after the party ended. Eli was so sad he hugged Cordelia and started to cry in a really loud voice after everyone left. Cordelia and Edson tried to cheer him up but he wouldn’t stop. He slept crying that night. Cordelia decided to go to Eli’s school to check if the girl was alright since she was so happy when Eli and Cordelia invited her. But the next day the news they heard, made Eli speak again for the first time after such a long time.