Hope and Faith

Chapter seven: 12 years ago

" The beggar wears all colors fearing none " - Charles Lamb

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Two years of torture and hunger had passed. Two years of begging people. Two years of sleeping on the roof after we were kicked out of our apartment because we couldn't pay the rent anymore. Two years of pain and thinking is this life? Is it like this to everyone? Because it has been so unfair to me! It took my mother while I was four, it made me a mother at the age of four and now my father is begging people to help us to survive. The day he comes back with $20 is our lucky day. People who got money are too selfish to share it and are too selfish to help others. Since two years back , dry bread has been my only meal in a day and sometimes dad let us have his share. Hope now is two years old. She is big enough to walk on her legs and say faith and dad but unfortunately , not mom. My father became so weak and his ribs are bones are visible. He goes out from 12 pm to 10 am begging.

The building of the owner we are in , doesn't know that we are living on the roof , which makes it harder for us to live here hiding.

One day father got so sick and his skin was burning under my hand. Of course we had no money to buy a thermometer to know his temperature exactly but I guess it was an estimate of 39. Hope was crying of hunger and thirst. That's the point where I knew that we ran out of water. Dad was too weak to move now, so we couldn't get any food or water. I sang a lullaby for hope. " safe and sound " by Taylor swift ft. Civil wars. She loves this song and it never failed me to keep her quiet. But now the fear of dying overwhelmed her and she didn't stop. One thing I learnt from mom is , not eating while you are sick just makes your condition worse. I looked at dad and saw how bad his case was and decided to face the streets. I decided to go down and beg people for help. I decided to go down and see how is it like to be a beggar. I decided to go down and help dad and hope.

" Where are you going, Faith ? " dad asked in a weak voice. He saw me wearing the only coat I have and placing hope right next to him. He knew immediately where I was throwing myself at.

" I am going to get help. " I said standing up from the floor after I placed hope. Before I can take a further step closer to the door, I noticed him trying to stand up. " What are you doing ?!" I asked when I saw the obscured movement. " I didn't promise your mom for nothing, Faith. You won't be a beggar ! " he said after he finally managed to get up. I didn't slip a word and just took a step backward. I watched him carefully. " stay with your sister, I am going " he declared interrupted by coughs. I smiled to the fact of how determined he is to keep me safe though his health is paying the price but no ! I am not losing my Father too.

" No dad I am going. You need some rest. Mom won't like our situation anyway. I am not a beggar as long as I call it seeking help. " I kissed him on the forehead and rushed out of the door before getting on with the argument. Despite the 39 degree Celsius , I felt cold. I have been inside this roof for almost two years now and didn't see the streets. But now I am walking on them. I marched but I was keeping track of my building so I won't get lost not knowing what to do or where to start or what to say.

I saw this old fashionable lady on the street. There was this attracting force towards her. Fortunately, she was turning her face around and saw me. Her comfortable warm smile gave me all the courage to go to her , especially when she pointed to me to come. I crossed the streets carefully and reached to her. She stretched her arm and pulled me closer.

" What is your name, sweet heart? "

" Faith "

" Isn't it too cold for you to go out with only one layer? Where are your parents? "

" my father is right on the roof of that building with two years old sister. I came to get some food. "

I guess from the look on her face , she knew immediately the truth behind me. That though I am pretty , I am still a beggar. She took my hand and went with me to a nearby bakery. She bought 20 pieces of bread and handed it over to me. At first, I literally couldn't believe my eyes, but she smiled and gave it to me.

" Now go before they get anymore hungry. "

" thank you. "

I returned the smile to her and ran to the building. I rushed on the stairs that I almost tripped till I reached the roof. I slammed the door open and felt like suiciding when I saw dad on the ground sleeping. He was too weak to even turn around and greet me. I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes immediately and went to inform him the happy news. He sat down and smiled when he saw the bread. I woke hope up to eat and I was so happy for seeing the happiness on her face. While eating I told dad all about the passionate lady and he spent the night praying for her.

After a night full of celebrating the new bread, we ate too much to finally feel being full again until we realized the bread was over. My dad suggested for us to sleep, then tomorrow we will go and beg people again. I insisted on me going because he isn't that good still. I slept keeping my head on his shoulder while hope had her head on the other. This was one of the most peaceful nights.

Next day, I woke up when I felt the rain drops falling on my face. Hope was crying but I didn't respond to her, because I thought dad is there to shut her up. When her cries lasted for almost 10 minutes , I woke up to see her but I was shocked when I didn't see dad. He didn't listen to me. He went outside. When I was about to go to hope, the door got dammed open and dad rushed in, coughing so bad. He fell on the ground and the read he got fell over too. Hope fell silent when she saw dad lying on the floor. I ran to him and turned him to the other side. He was crying along with the sky. Hope joined after seeing dad crying for the first time. His condition got worse due to the rain and his wet clothes. After struggling to move his hand , he handed me money.

" $20, I got them today. " he said getting interrupted by coughs. " I am getting you a medicine ! " I said , taking the money and standing up. " No ! Don't waste them on a useless medicine. You and hope need it more. " he said after pulling me to sit on the floor again. He was so hot. He had a real high fever.

" Sorry for not being the father you deserve , Faith. "

" you are, daddy. Don't apologize "

"Take care of your sister , sweetheart "

" why dad? Where are you going? "

He looked at the raining sky and closed his eyes.

" daddy ?? .... Daddy ?? .... Daddy ? "

... Cry, Clouds ... My father is gone !!

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