ECHOES

❦ | 𝗭𝗮𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲

"now the tide is rollin' in
i don't wanna win
let it take me, let it take me
i'll be on my way
how long can I stay?
in a place that can't contain me"
-labrinth

𝗭𝗮𝗿𝗮 | 𝗜𝗻𝘁
Late August
ੈ✩‧₊˚

"I love you sooo much. Don't you ever forget that." My eyes began to water as he pulled me in for a hug. I inhaled as much of his cologne as I could, this might be the last time I'd see him for a while, so I had to cherish the moment.

"Stop sniffin' me girl," he laughed. Usually, I'd laugh too, but the tears wouldn't stop rolling from my eyes. I love my dad so much it hurts me to even think about leaving him.

"I-I'm gone miss you so much Smiley." He let me go, I noticed the tears coming from his eyes as he wiped mine. I nodded my head and just looked at him. "You ain't gone miss me?"

I sniffled before wiping some more of my tears. "I'ma mi-miss you s-so much." He gave me another hug before speaking again. I felt a lump in my throat, and my vision blurred with tears as I buried my face in his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry for everythin'. If I could do it over, I'd never put you in a situation like that again, you didn't deserve that. I'm so so sorry my Smiley."

"I-It's o-okay Dad. I-It's not y-your fa-fault." I told him while watching him wipe his tears. My chest stung with every tear he wiped. I hated that he was hurting over something he couldn't control. It truly wasn't his fault, he didn't know.

He breathed deeply, "I could've been there for you more." He shook his head to himself, clearly in deep thought. I was going to say something but before I could someone opened the door.

It was Dr. Yumi and my mama coming in. "Sorry to interrupt, but I've got your discharge papers. It includes instructions on how to treat your injuries and any other information you should need to know. Any questions? Mom? Dad?" She looked to both of my parents and they both shook their heads.

"Well, I'm gonna get going now. It was nice meeting you all. Zara, I want you to get plenty of rest, and do not forget to ice those bruises. Other than that, you're free to go. Stay safe and do not hesitate to call me if you feel something is wrong." When she was done speaking, Dr. Yumi and my parents wished each other goodbye as Mama and I packed my stuff up. Dad just stared at us— well, not at us, but through us. After our little moment, he hadn't said a single word, most likely overthinking.

Once Mama and I finished gathering my stuff, we decided it was time to go. I walked up to Dad, hugged him, and kissed him on his cheek. "Bye, Dad. I-I love you."

He tried his hardest not to smile, but when he did, I grinned too. "I love you too, Smiley. Be good for your mama."

"I'm always go-good, Dad." He chuckled, then stood and gathered his stuff, turning to leave but not without ruffling my hair. I smacked my lips, and he cackled.

"See you later, Gia," he said, awkwardly scratching his neck after.

"Kofi," she replied, barely acknowledging him. She is so petty. She was mad at him for whatever reason, but I let them have it. That wasn't any of my business.

Shortly after that awkward encounter, he left, and I could practically feel my heart pounding in my chest. I was going to miss him so much. I wasn't sure what I'd do without him. Sure, he was only a phone call away, but when I'd spent the majority of my life living with him, it was going to be hard to live without him.