SIXTEENTH

Two

I woke to the sound of my dad pacing back and forth and hovering over me. He jumped to my side of the bed the moment he saw that I opened my eyes. The lights entering the room through the window were blinding, and my head was aching, but I was glad to see my dad. My gaze shifted to the cute blue alarm clock beside my bed. It was 10 a.m. on a Monday morning; I was supposed to be in school, and my dad in his office.
"Dad, why didn't you wake me up early, ahh?" I winced. My room suddenly became blurry, and I sat back on my bed, holding my head.
"Mara, stay in bed. You are not supposed to be out of bed, you are not well. You passed out last night because, to my surprise, you were low on sugar," he said with a chuckle to lighten the mood.
Now I remember. I had gone to his study to thank him for the gift he got me, and I got overly emotional and started crying, then I passed out. Thank God it was just low sugar. But I had to be in school today. Josh didn't make it to the party, and he was going to give me my present today at school. I can't miss school today.
My dad drew me into a hug like I meant the most to him in this world. Well, he has just me in this world, who else would he love other than me? I love my dad, and it wasn't even a joke.
"Did you take the day off for me? I'm fine now, I feel better, Dad, I'm okay." I got off the bed, this time with more care. "See?" I put my hands on my waist and twirled a bit so he could see I was okay.
"A day off for my princess is not a lot, and I own my company, no one will ask me questions. Why don't we make breakfast together like we always do?"
"Yes, Dad, let's do that. I'll have strawberry pancakes and peach juice." My face lit up; oh, how I loved making breakfast with my dad.
I rushed to the bathroom carefully, and my dad went downstairs to the kitchen. I had my bath in a rush and packed my tinted dark blue hair in a bun, using a scrunchie to hold it in place.
Today, I decided to wear the jean dungarees I just got and a little white crop top inside. I ran down the stairs, straight to the kitchen. My dad had his shorts rolled up, his sleeves rolled, and he had his favorite apron on, whisking egg whites in a bowl.
I opened the fridge and brought out leftover cake from yesterday to munch on while my dad did his thing. I know better than to leave baking to him. He was my chef, mum, dad, brother, and sister; he filled every void space in my life. I took out my phone and saw loads of messages from Leah and Josh. They were asking why I wasn't in school. I replied to them and asked Alexa to play songs by Camila Cabello—she was my all-time favorite.
"Almost done."
He tugged at his collar, referring to the pancakes on the frying pan. I loved how pink they looked. For someone who loved blue, I felt guilty for eating pink pancakes, but I loved them still.
Breakfast was quick, and I had to rush back to my room to finish unboxing my presents from yesterday and arrange them somehow.
I got to my room, brushed off flour plastered on my cheeks, and sat on the floor to unbox. There was a gift in red wrapping paper. Only one person gives me gifts wrapped in red paper on my birthday—Leo. He knows I hate the color and always gives me ugly presents because his dad compels him to get me something. This time, it was an ugly-looking phone case. It looked like feet, and it was red.
"Eewww."
I just tossed it in the bin next to me. It was useless anyway, just like him. Leo and I used to be good friends—he's like two years older than me—but somehow, I stopped being his only friend, and he didn't regard me anymore. So, I also stopped valuing him. I texted Josh and agreed to meet him at the park later that afternoon. My head was hurting, so I took a nap.
I woke up hours later to the buzzing sound of the alarm I had set. I got off my bed, walked into my wardrobe, and picked out a purple sundress I knew Josh would like. I changed into it, wore matching platforms, and grabbed a bag to match the outfit.
Downstairs, I saw my dad and my favorite uncle, Chris, having a conversation in the dining area of our big living room.
"Hi Dad, hi Uncle Chris." I hugged them both. My dad didn't look all that bright. He squeezed a smile and said hello. Chris, on the other hand, decided to make up for my dad's reaction. "
And how are you, birthday girl? I hope you liked your gift. Hmm, going somewhere?"
"Hmm, yeah, meeting some friends at the park."
My dad looked distracted. I could swear he didn't see me walk in.
"Uhhh, your dad and I are just having a grown-up discussion, nothing to worry about, okay?" he assured me, but I knew nothing was fine. I knew something was wrong still.
On the way, I tried so hard to take my mind off whatever was going on with my dad and move all my focus to what Josh got me for my birthday. Josh's parents were wealthy and owned their own hospital. His mum was a gynecologist, and his dad was a surgeon. I saw him sitting on an empty bench, watching old people walk their dogs. I rushed up to him, but there wasn't any wrapped gift on the bench—no sign of presents or anything. I wasn't the type to be swayed by presents, but the look on his face didn't seem right.
Could this be why I was feeling uneasy all along?