If I had three wishes

Chapter one: If I had three wishes

Lila stared at the night sky, counting the stars. She wondered if her father was watching her from somewhere up there. He had died in a car accident six months ago, and she missed him terribly. She wished he could come back, even for a moment, and hug her and tell her everything would be okay.

She remembered the last time they had talked, the night before he left for his business trip. He had given her a necklace with a pendant shaped like a heart. He said it was a special gift, and that it had three wishes inside. He told her to use them wisely, and to always follow her heart.

Lila had never used the wishes. She didn't know if they were real, or just a joke. She was afraid to waste them on something silly, or to regret them later. She wanted to save them for something important, something that would make her happy.

But nothing made her happy anymore. She felt lonely and sad, even when she was with her friends or her mother. She felt like a part of her was missing, and nothing could fill the void. She wondered if there was anything that could make her smile again.

She decided to try one of the wishes. She closed her eyes and whispered, "I wish I could see my father again."

She opened her eyes and gasped. There he was, standing in front of her, smiling. He looked exactly as she remembered him, wearing his favorite blue shirt and jeans. He reached out his arms and embraced her. She felt his warmth and his heartbeat. She felt tears streaming down her face.

"Lila, my sweet girl, I'm so happy to see you," he said.

"Dad, I can't believe it, you're here," she said.

"I'm here, for a little while. I came to say goodbye, and to tell you how much I love you."

"I love you too, Dad. I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, Lila. But I'm always with you, in your heart and in your memories. You're my star, Lila. You shine so bright, and you make me proud."

"Thank you, Dad. You're my hero. You taught me so much, and you always supported me."

"You're welcome, Lila. You're a smart and brave and kind girl. You have a bright future ahead of you. Don't let anything stop you from pursuing your dreams."

"I won't, Dad. I'll do my best, for you and for me."

"That's my girl. Lila, I have to go soon. But before I do, I want to give you something."

He took off the necklace from her neck and held it in his hand. He opened the pendant and showed her the inside. There were three tiny stars, sparkling in the dark.

"These are your wishes, Lila. They're still yours. You can use them for anything you want. But remember, use them wisely, and follow your heart."

"Dad, I don't need them. You're the only thing I ever wished for."

"Lila, you're so sweet. But you deserve to be happy, and to have your dreams come true. These wishes can help you with that. Trust me, they're magic."

He closed the pendant and put it back on her neck. He kissed her forehead and hugged her again.

"I love you, Lila. Always and forever."

"I love you, Dad. Always and forever."

He faded away, like a star in the dawn. Lila felt a pang in her chest, but also a warmth in her soul. She knew he was gone, but she also knew he was still with her. She smiled, for the first time in a long time.

She looked at the necklace and felt the power of the wishes. She wondered what she would use them for. She had so many dreams, so many hopes, so many possibilities. She decided to keep them for later, when she was ready. She knew her father would want her to be happy, and to follow her heart.

She thanked him, in her mind, for the best gift ever. She thanked him, for being her father. She closed her eyes and made a silent wish.

She wished he could hear her, that she could speak to him through her mind, to know that she will always have a piece of him with her, she smiled softly at her neckless, keeping it close to her. Letting it embrace her, letting it remind her dads always with her and that she can do this because he's always going to be by her side forever more. But the biggest question Lila had in her head was what are my dreams are exactly...Well she'll now in all due time.