The Captured

Chapter 25

Happy spooky Thursday y'all. New chapter is out now. Giving you the chance to feel the connection between Anna & her dad. I hope you enjoy this one. P.s. this song is so relatable to Anna's life no?

Attaching below a memory of Anna & her parents from a Christmas eve Year 2002🎄

Flashback to December 2013, Christmas Eve, London

Impatience gnawed at me as I waited outside the front door. A thin blanket of white started covering the tops of bushes, and a feather of snow landed on my nose, causing me to sniff like a dog.

How many times had I knocked on this door in the last five minutes?

"Daddy, open the door!"

I called out for the fourth time, but there was no answer. The neighbors even poked their heads out to see what was happening, but my dad remained oblivious. Just as I was about to bang on the door again, it flung open, and I nearly collided with my dad's solid chest.

"Oops, sorry Da-" I began, but before I could finish, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Dad," I whispered into his chest as he enveloped me in his familiar, comforting hug.

"My bubs, I'm so sorry you had to wait. Daddy was in the shower and couldn't hear you at the door," he explained, and I chuckled softly.

When would he stop calling me 'bubs? I was too grown for that now.

Despite everything that had happened with mom, the sadness in his eyes mirrored my own. Yes, mom was missing, but perhaps it was for the best. It had been over a year since we last shared this father-daughter moment.

"Come in." Dad said, caressing my cheek gently. I grinned and followed him inside, relishing the peaceful atmosphere.

The kitchen greeted us with delicious aromas, and I couldn't help but moan in delight. Dad must have noticed because he grinned before inviting me in. I eagerly jumped inside, my eyes fixed on the oven.

"Dad, that smells mouth-watering!" I exclaimed, almost salivating. But my enthusiasm waned when I saw his amused expression.

"No, stop! It's hot. I'll help you get that," he said, stepping in before I could reach for the oven. I pouted but complied, watching as he revealed a piping hot, cheesy pizza. My jaw dropped at the sight of such a feast.

"Dad, how did you do that? I can't believe you can bake that well. Did you order everything else?" I teased, reveling in his reaction. He rolled his eyes before attending to the microwave, leaving me grinning on the bench.

"So, what are your plans for tonight?"

I inquired as he dealt with the whistling kettle, noticing the pain in his eyes.

"None."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, avoiding his gaze. I couldn't bear to see him broken; he needed to let go of mom and move on. I wanted to be there for him, but he also needed to find happiness for himself.

"What about you? Any plans?" he whispered, and I looked up to find him sitting beside me with a single coffee mug. "Where is mine?" He chuckled and handed it to me, and I took a sip, inhaling the comforting aroma.

"You don't wanna share your plans with me? It's fine then." Dad said, his voice tinged with disappointment, "I'll go and get pizza and lasagne. Pasta is already on the table; you go and sit there with your coffee. I am coming right behind you."

As Dad left, I shook my head and made my way to the chair facing the door. I wished Mom were here with us to make surprise plans for him, as they always did for me. It seemed like just yesterday when we were all together as a family under the same roof. Who would have thought things would change so drastically? It still doesn't feel real. Living apart from Dad? The same Dad who used to tuck me in at night, without whom I couldn't fall asleep?

The mere thought sent shivers down my spine. I missed seeing him at the breakfast table in the early mornings, sipping his tea. I missed saying goodbye to him as I left for school, and I missed him opening the door for me when I returned. No longer did I wait eagerly for the chocolates he would bring me after work. Mom didn't receive his calls anymore, telling her about his return. Everything had changed. Now, I slept without his bedtime stories, and I woke up without his good mornings.

My house feel different, my life is different.

I felt split in two, with half of me here and half of me there with mom. I wished I could fix things for both of them.

At least for today, on Christmas, they deserved to be together, or at least find some solace on their own.

Feedback?