Ch 2

**Chapter 2**

We're halfway up to the first story. Let's dive a little deeper...

How do I describe my dad? I don't know, but I'll just share my opinion, based on how I saw him during different stages of my life. When I was very young, before school up until my first year, I adored him. He was this loving, wonderful figure in my life. But then, out of nowhere, he changed. It was a change I couldn't understand. As a kid, I imagined that maybe a thief had stolen my real dad—taken his face, his identity, his life. That's why he suddenly wasn't the same anymore.

He became quick to anger, refusing a lot of the things I wanted. And even when he didn't refuse, he'd go on and on about how he always got me the best, how no one lived as well as I did. It got exhausting. Eventually, I stopped asking for anything at all.

In middle school, my opinion of him didn't change much. By high school, I tried to convince myself that maybe, just maybe, he was doing his best for me. After all, people always say, *"You'll understand when you're older."* But every time I thought he wasn't so bad, he'd do something that proved the opposite. 

I kept wondering, *"I'm older now, so why can't I understand?"* But to be honest, my dad was one of the worst people I've known. I realized that when I saw how other fathers treated their families, especially on social media. It's funny how, if they apologize, you're expected to forgive them like nothing ever happened—like your childhood wasn't shattered, like your life wasn't filled with criticism, like you weren't constantly reminded of your failures. And of course, they'll justify it by saying, *"I just wanted to push you."* 

Well, thanks, Dad. You sure gave me the last push.

: *"Can you please stop shouting?"*

Dalia:*I'm sorry, I got carried away.*

: *"Why are there tears on your face? Were you crying?"*

Dalia: *"Crying? No, like I said, I got carried away... Anyway, my name's Dalia. What's yours?"*

: *"I'm Mark, nice to meet you. And who's this?"*

Dalia: *"This is Reader."*

Mark: *"What a weird name."*

Dalia: *"That's what I said."*

Mark: *"Lovely to meet you, Dalia. You too, Reader. But why are you here? Did you come to reach the top?"*

Dalia: *"You too, but why?"*

Mark: *"Well, that's a long story. But I've rested enough—shall we continue climbing to the second story?"*

Dalia: *"I didn't even notice we reached the first story. Four more to go."*

Mark: *"I'll tell you my story when we get to the

second floor.

To be continued .....