CHAPTER 3

Uncle Jude tried his best through all the weeks my Dad was not around. He made sure that I'm always happy though I miss my dad.

I was sleeping peacefully one Saturday morning when someone tapped me. I thought it was Uncle Jude so I did not respond. It is the weekend for crying out loud. I perceive the perfume. It was like my dad's. When did Uncle Jude start using the same perfume as Dad? I slowly open my eyes to see him smiling at me.

"Dad?" I jumped on him happily

"Easy sweetheart. don't get yourself hurt"

"I missed you, Dad"

"Daddy is here now"

"don't leave me again Dad"

"I won't sweetheart"

I was so happy to see him. I don't know when he came back but that doesn't matter now, he's here with me, that's what matters. But something is wrong somewhere. His eyes are so weak and dull.

"Dad, you look so tired. You have to get some rest"

"yes Princess the trip is so stressful"

I nodded my head looking at him. imagine the kind of work he did over there that makes him so weak.

"Dad, I thought you said you were going to a meeting?"

"yes sweetheart, from one meeting to another"

"Are you sure you are okay? You look so sick"

"I'm ok, angel "

"Dad promised me that you will not leave me in this world" That sentence just came out of my mouth.

"Come on my love, Daddy is not going anywhere. Come let me show you something." I stand up and hold his hand.

"What is it, Dad?"

He didn't say a word. He took me to his study room. He brings out an album full of pictures of another beautiful lady

"she's your Mom" 

"she's beautiful"

"Yes, I think it's time for you to know about her. I met her when I was still in college. We fell in love with each other. Then, I was nothing and she was from a wealthy family. her family rejected her because of me yet, she got married to me. She fought for me, she stood up for me. She made me who I am today. She struggles, but she works hard to make sure that I achieve my goals. But she leaves me so soon. She didn't stay to enjoy all that she suffered. She died because of you."

"Because of me?" I can see tears in his eyes but he was holding himself not crying.

"Yes, 6 months into her pregnancy, the doctor found out that she will die when having the baby but the best way to save her life is to abort you. But she refused. She did not want to hurt you. I begged her but she still refused. I wanted the abortion but she was too attached to let you go. She died a few hours after giving birth to you"

So I was wrong all this while. She died because of me. I suppose I hate myself, not her.

"I killed her dad," I began to cry

"No sweetheart you did not kill her ok. She died because she loves you "

"if I did not come into existence she will be alive and well by now"

"I did not tell you this for you to be blaming yourself but for you to know the reason why she died"

I hugged my Dad, crying on his shoulder not letting him go.

"I hate myself, Dad, for bringing pain to you. taking the one that you love from you. I'm sorry."

" It's ok sweetheart. You are making me regret telling you"

"Will she ever forgive me, Dad?"

"she loves you and that's the reason why she sacrifices her life for you ".

" Why are you telling me all this now?"

"I'm telling you because you are old enough to know what happened"

After that day, my dad made sure that I'm always happy even getting married to make me happy.

My stepmother was a lovely and caring woman. She took care of me. She made sure that I'm always happy. We became friends, best of friends

"Sweetheart, where did you want to spend this holiday season?" my dad asked me during our long vacation.

"hmmm, sun city" I answered happily

"Sun city?" my stepmom asked me

"Yes, sun city. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"yes of course " She turned to my dad who is not saying anything and continued

"Honey, we will be going to New York City," she told my dad, smiling.

"No way! I'm going to sun city with my dad. You can go to New York City if you want Mommy. We will book a flight to New York City for you. We will be leaving for the sun city tomorrow with Dad's private jet" I concluded with so much authority 

"Honey did you..." my dad interrupted her

"She is not stopping you ok or better still you follow us next time we will go to New York City"

"it's okay"

I know she's not happy about that but I don't care. Sun City is a nice place. have been dreaming to go there."