It was the 10th of August. The sun was shining showering the city with sparkling yellow. Wearing the brightest color in her wardrobe, she put on the high bun and wore the prettiest pink on her lips. Adam picked her by the door. They reached the hospital by noon. She went to Room no 313. Her dad was in a white gown walking by the bed. The room door was closed showing the name of Mr.Eric admitted for small cell lung carcinoma.
Sitting by the side of her dad’s bed she told him all about the “white dress” she was picking later. Then she gave him the medicine and while holding his hand she told him about how they were arguing about what starter to serve as they were torn between egg salad and coleslaw salad.
‘Adam is really stretching to have coleslaw salad. But I think egg salad will be a better option for winters.” Sarah told her dad.
‘Well, I won’t call September ‘winter’’. Adam said with a hint of tease in his eyes.
“But September is not exactly associated with summer. Or is it?’ Sarah replied aggressively.
Both Adam and Eric burst into laughter. Sarah was not laughing. She was seeing something else. She was 8 years old. Her dad was teaching her how to assemble the puzzle. Sarah was eager to look at the box so that she can see what it will be at the end. But dad was quick to hide the box so that she could focus on the puzzle. It took her 3 days to complete the puzzle but the eyes of the giraffe were missing. She threw that part out of frustration. There she was looking at the picture of a giraffe with holes. She told dad she’ll never be able to complete the puzzle. Eric looked at her with eyes full of love. He reached his pocket and brought the piece out of it and gave it to her and told her.
‘I got your back, love.’
That moment filled Sarah with avoid. It was a happy memory it always was for her but today it hit Sarah differently. The memories were switching genres. Sarah was left with emptiness, an unnamed feeling like she lost the eyes of the giraffe once again. And this time …………..
Somebody knocked at the door. The room vanished Sarah looked around gathered her senses and opened the door. Dr. Miller was at the door. He came into the room with a look full of hope. He came bearing a soft smile. He checked Eric and asked Sarah for a private audience. She told Adam about it and followed Dr. Miller.
“We found a suitable match, Ms. Johnson.” Everything is a match. We’ll proceed with the operation when…..”. Mr. Miller was unable to complete the sentence.
‘Yes, I know. Dr. I am aware.”
”How much time do we have? I mean he will, my dad will make it to the wedding, right?”
“We changed the date too. We’ll have the wedding on the 1st of September. It’s the date my mom and dad got married. He wanted to pay tribute to my mother.”
“We can’t say anything concrete. Ms. Johnson. It’s not a friendly disease. It does not have emotions. But I need you to know that you are doing great. That’s exactly what he needs right now, to see that he is a part of your life even on his deathbed. That is what keeps him going.”
She came back to the room. Eric was eating soup. Adam was feeding him.
‘Dad, we’ll go now. I have to pick my dress.”
“Yes yes, you should leave.”
“No dad I am not leaving. I am going I’ll come back in the evening, and then we’ll talk about my wedding’s menu, and keep this is in my mind. This time you’ll be on my side.”
Adam smiled in the background. Holding his dad’s hand she whispered
“Wait for me Dad. I’ll come back. I LOVE YOU.”
She kissed him on his forehead and left. Eric looked at the closing door.
“Ms. Johnson you look good. The waist is perfect and so is the fitting.”
Sarah looked at Adam. His eyes were agreeing with the compliment.
“I think it’s perfect,” Adam said.
Sarah beamed.
The moment was interrupted by the ringtone. Sarah checked her phone. Miller calling appeared. The phone slipped from her hand. A stunning expression took over her face. The phone was still ringing.
It was the 1st of September. The air was getting a little chilly. The sky was all purple. The stars were at their respective places, shining, glittering, and flickering light, love, and hope. The flowers filled the pathways with joy celebrating the union of two souls today. The wind was blowing wild and free. Everything was in its place. The appetizing aroma filled the space following the buzz of the guests. Adam was closing his cufflinks. His mother put the orchid in his pocket. His eyes were full of love. Sarah’s makeup was done. She put the orchid in her hair. She was about to put her veil down her face. Her eyes were full of love and sadness. She was missing something or maybe someone. Everything was in its place. But someone was far away. Her eyes filled with tears. It was a rainy day. She was about to come home, But it was raining. Suddenly she heard a horn. Dad was there. He pulled the window down his words echoed everywhere.
“I got your back, love.”
Somebody was knocking at the door. She wiped the tears.
“Come in.”
There was a man a tall white Caucasian, wearing a tuxedo and bearing an expression of gratitude.
“I was told this is the bride’s room. I am Winston. Winston Bishop. I recently recovered from heart failure.
I am the one who received your dad’s heart.“
Sarah took a deep sigh. Tears started rolling down her cheek.
“I guess there is a beginning at every end. I am happy for you, sir.”
“Not more than me. I am thankful to you and your dad, for what he did for me.”
“After your dad’s demise, I received the transplant the next day. I was able to see the wedding of my son. I am forever grateful to you both. I visited the hospital and they told me about your nuptials. If you give me the honor, I would love to walk you down the aisle it will be my way of saying your dad thank you!”
Sarah broke down into tears and sobbed.
The priest called for the bride. Adam looked at the entrance. The guest started looking at the pavement. The music started playing. Sarah appeared in a white lace gown with a veil covering her face and orchid smiling in her hair, with flowers in her way and with eyes full of hope, in arms with Winston by her side -The living breathing example of the good deed of her father.
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
Her father is offering her a cup of coffee during exams.
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
Her dad showed up at her graduation with the biggest bouquet of flower.
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love
She kissed her dad’s forehead and whispered I LOVE YOU, DAD
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love
Winston gave her hand to Adam. He wiped her tears. She closed the eyes with a sad smile and the words echoed.
I got your back, LOVE.
