REMEMBERING LATE FATHER

The next day,

"Dad, I've grown up well. So, don't worry. I'll take care of mom forever. " Eva, who was sitting in the mini garden of the house shared with her mother began to say slowly.

This place is very important to her as it is a place where many sweet memories with her late father are there. So she was always there, especially when she missed her father.

Edith, who was standing in the doorway of the house noticed the behavior of her daughter, Eva. These past few days, she had often seen her daughter sitting pensively outside the house. Since the daughter took over the business, it's been a bit rare for the two of them to sit down and chat from heart to heart. So she decides to come closer.

"What are you thinking?" Edith asked as she walked closer. She then continued to sit on one of the wooden benches that were already available there.

Seeing the calm face of her mother who was sitting opposite her, Eva continued to throw a smile and at the same time shook her head. She didn't want to share what was in her heart at the time.

In silence, she observed the face of her mother, which had begun to be eaten away by age. Still fresh in the memory of how her mother struggled to work while raising herself until the woman managed to become the owner of a boutique that can be said to be very advanced now. She just took over without much effort.

Double SS boutique. That is the name of the three-story boutique in the city-owned by her mother who is now known to many. Initially, only wholesaled other boutique products, but now, only their quality products are produced as a result of very high market demand. Now, after years of tiredness, it is Eva's turn to take over her mother's job. The business is now expanding further online in line with the reform of the business world which is full of challenges year after year.

"Do you not have any activities to do today? What about the boutique? Who is in charge? " Edith's question to her daughter who is still silent in serving her feelings.

Slightly startled, Eva promptly replied to her mother,

"Today I am determined to rest as much as I can. Boutique, as usual Zara as a manager in charge. After all, she's the only person I trust because I've known her for a long time. The other workers all work part-time shifts. I focus on online business today. "

"Everything is fine? Are your plans to open boutiques in other areas still going on? " Edith deliberately asks even though she knows the truth about her daughter's abilities in managing the business. Although her daughter has taken over, once in a while she wants to know about the development of the business she has run before. Sometimes she also gives her thoughts when her daughter asks for an opinion.

Eva was silent for a moment, remembering her plans to further expand the empire of their boutique. Due to high demand, she submitted a proposal to her mother to make a franchise of their boutique. At first, Edith doesn't quite agree as she is afraid that this kind of thing will affect the quality of the product, but Eva, as usual, convinces her.

"As a usual mom, so far everything is going well. That is why I dare to go on holiday. After all, my body feels very tired. So, for today I leave myself to you. I want to help you once in a while to do something that you wanted. "

"Help me?" Edith deliberately made a face, teasing her daughter. "I am a very lucky mother if you can do so."

Eva pursed her lips briefly in response to her mother's words before she looked around them again. The atmosphere became quieter that morning. Both of them were silent and said nothing. However, after a while, Eva began to express what was locked in her heart at that time.

"I miss father very much. This mini garden reminds me of him. He worked hard to build all this just for me. His smile, laughter, anger, and screams. I miss everything. " Eva didn't know what reminded her of her late father that day. To some extent, she felt guilty when saying such a thing in front of her mother because she was well aware that her mother was far sadder and more hurt over her father's passing than her own.

At this time, it was Edith's turn to look at Eva's face, which was exactly like her late husband's face. James, her husband, died in a road accident 16 years ago. Despite being rushed to the hospital, her husband could not be saved due to severe bleeding in the head.

At the time, she felt very lost to dependence, especially with a young child. Indeed, she never thought such an incident would happen to them as a family. Her daily prayer was that her husband's life would be longer than her own, but, her husband left them first.

In the past, maybe she lost direction for a while when her husband died. But her spirits never waned every time she saw Eva's face. She does whatever she can with her knowledge and strength so. The proof is now, that she and Eva are finally able to live happily. Although they are not as rich as any other rich person this is more than enough. She is so grateful.

"Do you remember a while ago, the reason why your father made this mini garden? All because you want a mini garden in our house after seeing the garden in your uncle's house. You whine and want the same thing. You were naughty back then until your dad had to figure out a way to build this garden. "

Eva smiled and nodded at her mother's words as she remembered the beautiful garden in her uncle's house. Of course, the garden is unmatched when compared to the mini garden that her father worked in, but the mini garden made by her father also feels very special to her even if not to others.

"I am bothering him a lot. But father remained patient according to my every wish. He can't refuse his only child's request. " Eva started laughing a little.

Edith also smiled at her daughter's words. She is also devout when occasionally recalling memories. She has no regrets at all about choosing to live in modest circumstances because indeed such a life has taught her to be a better human being. Had she been silver-spoon from the beginning of her life, perhaps she would have been an arrogant human being. Who knows right?

Edith looked at the 7-bedroom mansion she was occupying. Just a simple design as only she and Eva live there. Formerly the house was just a modest house that only had one room, but contained a thousand and one happiness. Now, the house is big, but full of silence. So, despite getting happier, she never regretted her past life, even though there were times when many opposed her when she chose to marry a poor man. Even her own family.

"Your father will continue to live in our hearts Eva..." Edith said later.

"No matter what happens, we will always remember him. Because he is one of the most important people in our lives."

Eva nodded in silence. Agree with that. Now both of them fell into silence again.

Moments later, Edith looked back at her daughter's face. Her heart felt sad all of a sudden. She wanted to tell her daughter something important, however, it was unlikely she would say it at this point. Furthermore, her daughter recalls memories with James. There was no way she wanted to ruin this kind of atmosphere.

'Just talk about that later, Edith whispered in her heart.

"Mom, are you okay?" Call Eva as she stares at her mother who seems to have gone too far to entertain her thoughts.

"Mother." Eva continued to hold her mother's hand when her question went unanswered.

She felt her mother feel a bit restless at the time. There is a feeling of regret in her heart for raising her father earlier. She didn't want her mother to grieve anymore. She didn't want to see her mother soak in tears again. Now, she wants her mother to live happily and she knows that's the only thing that will make her happy.

Edith continued to gasp at the touch coming from her daughter.

"Huh? What is it? Someone coming?! " She said in a high pitch as she is in shock.

Eva laughed a little amused at her mother's behavior. Her hand now held her mother's hand more tightly.

"No, that's not it. It just suddenly you was silent. I thought you were mad at me."

"Why do I get mad with you? You didn't do anything wrong. " Edith sighed to cover up her nervousness.

"Let's go inside the house now. It's cold to be outside for a long time." Edith then got up and headed straight for the door.

Eva, who was still amused by her mother's condition was still smiling as she followed slowly.

"Enough. No need to smile so much. Today because you are lazy to do anything, so, today's task, I want to teach you to cook. "

"Cooking? Mom... You know very well that I have no interest in cooking. I'm already good at cooking rice with vegetables, the rest doesn't matter, "Eva started whining like a little girl now.

"Because you're only good at cooking rice with vegetables, that's why I want to teach you how to cook chicken and fish."

"Fish? I am too afraid to cook fish. With their smooth body and all, eii... Moreover, now that the age of technology has advanced. All dishes can be bought near the store, you don't have to get tired of cooking. "

Edith shook her head when she heard various excuses coming out of her daughter's mouth. That's when she sometimes scolds herself for over-pampering her daughter. It's been a long time since Eva grew up and now there are a lot of things she doesn't know especially things like this.

"Technology is technology. You need to survive in this world in times of anxiety. Who knows if something happens and you need to cook for yourself? Or this world faces tragic things that you can't even call for delivery?"

Eva pursed her lips in protest. She knew whether she wanted to or not, she would have to follow her mother's plan in the end.

"Fine ..." Eva started walking lazily. At this time she can't wait to have a holiday at that Destiny island which she will go to soon.

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Footnotes:

It’s funny when ordinary ingredients for cooking is used for many times but can make a variety of different taste...