Farewell

The next morning, I woke up early actually I couldn't get enough sleep at night thinking of how much this poor soul has gone through. I was still wondering about the fact that after all this pain still that this seven-year-old didn't let the darkness erase him rather he shined through it and tried to become the best son for his father. In these past few days, I got to know a lot about John and one of them was his favourite scrumptious chocolate bread from the bakery at the end of the street. I am well aware of the fact that I can't make him forget his past and can't do much for his future either, but I can surely give him some happiness and make this present moment memorable. So I decided to buy his favourite bread for breakfast that's the least I could do. I went to the market to buy his favourite chocolate bread. ! The rising sun has cast a hoe around the morning sky, the enchanting autumn time was about to bid farewell and give way to the cold and harsh winter at this time in London. The weather was pleasant, the cold breeze was indicating the arrival of the dark winters, days were short and nights became longer day by day. There were a few shops open this early, I went to the shop and bought the bread. As I paid the bill and went back on my way, a child around four years old, clothes were covered in dust held four wooden toy horses in his tiny hands and said,

"Kind sir would you like to buy these"

By listening to his innocent voice and because of a revived memory of my childhood I couldn't resist buying them I asked,

"How much for one sir?"

"25 pence for each, how much would you like to buy?" He said like a cat which made my heart melt.

"I want all four of them" I said in a playful voice.

Suddenly his eyes widened and he asked,

"You would buy them all?" he asked surprised.

"Yes my child" I replied while a gentle smile formed on my face.

"Thank you so much sir, here you go" He excidetky handed it all to me.

"And here you go, gentleman" I paid him 10 pounds.

His eyes were filled with joy and happiness as if he has gotten everything he ever wanted. He went past me and asked the baker,

"Can I have this bread, sir?"

"Yes there you go, child" the baker handed him the bread.

before he ran away he said something that shook me.

"Now you won't have to starve any longer my sweet little sister" He said while smiling and ran away. He blended in the crowd but had a lasting impact on my mind.

How just a four-year-old kid be that responsible? Poverty has snatched their beautiful childhood from them. It's all because of inconsiderate, greedy royals. I was lost in these painful thoughts when suddenly Mr Matthew came to me

"Sir what are you doing here this early?"Mr Matthew said.

"I was just buying some bread, Mr Matthew" I replied.

"Oh! come on at home we are waiting for you at the breakfast table" Mr Matthew said in a pleasant voice.

"Yes I'm coming, sir" I said.

I went with Mr Matthew to his house, and as soon as I entered I saw delicious breakfast already served on the table. We all sat down to eat.

"You shouldn't have done all this Mr Matthew" I said looking at that simple but filling breakfast.

"no it's nothing compared to what you did for us, please enjoy" Mr Matthew said showing his generosity.

"Where were you, Mr Samuel?" John asked politely.

"I went to buy something for you" I replied making him curious.

"For me!" He said surprisingly

"yes my dear son, close your eyes and bring your hand forward," I said while smiling.

I placed the bag of bread on his tiny little hands.

"Oh there was no need for this Sir Samuel we can not accept it," Mr Matthew said.

"I'm doing this with my happiness he is just like a son to me" I replied

"Thank you so much kind sir for this gift but if my father wouldn't accept it then I won't also," John said.

"John I bought this with a lot of love for you, my dear if you will not accept it then I would be hurt. So please accept it, young gentleman."

He looked at his father, Mr Matthew nodded then he accepted it

"Thank you, kind sir"

"Your most welcome my dear."

we all enjoyed our breakfast wholeheartedly, Mr Matthew was fully recovered now and started a new job. With that my reason for stay was ended so it was a bitter time for me to bid farewell to the Matthews. I took my briefcase and coat and went outside after breakfast, Mr Matthew and John came to see off me. John hid his tears for a long time and pretended to be strong as a man who would conceal his emotions. But, as a little child, a pearl-a tear rolled down his cheek.

"We can not thank you enough sir for whatever you did for me and my son, we can't thank you enough." He was about to kneel crying.

"Oh no Mr Matthew please don't do this you're making me feel ashamed please don't do it. You're my brother and little John is like my own son, there was nothing special that I did any person would have done the same." I picked him up and said politely.

"No sir not every person is kind enough like you to help poor and helpless people in need." Mr Matthew said.

"Don't say that sir you both are like a family to me." I replied him.

When I noticed little John crying I said,

"Is Mr John crying?" I asked while beating down to come to his height.

"no I'm not, something just went in my eye" he quickly wiped tears from his face

"Hey, I see your tears hmm, don't cry my son you and I will keep meeting hmm, also my house is not so far you can come and visit me anytime you want hmm." I replied.

He nodded. I hugged him tightly and gave him his wooden horse, he looked at me with a confused look on his innocent face.

"Whenever you miss me, just look at this horse hmm" I replied.

"Yes, I will do." John said in a emotional voice.

"Now smile my son and promise me that you would take care of your dad and become a son he could be proud of hmm" I instructed him kindly.

"I will make my father proud sir and will take good care of him" John replied.

"Your carriage is here sir" Mr Matthew's friend has bought his carriage

"Ok it's time for me to go please take care of yourself understood, bye" I said.

"Yes I would sir, bye take care" John said and wiped his tear.

I sat in the carriage waving bye to John. The carriage started, how unpredictable life is I came here to post the letter to my beautiful Rosanne and accidentally met the Matthews, made plenty of unforgettable memories with them felt the joy of having a family, This father and son relationship made me travel back in my childhood, never thought I would find a new family here. The astonishing courage and sense of responsibility of little John despite his age. The guilt of not being able to provide his family with the needs of Mr Matthew. This time was like a life lesson for me and it is something I would never forget.

"Sir your house has arrived" The driver said.

"Oh thank you mate here's your fare" I replied in my British accent.