Cannabis

Chapter 10

I'm Erose Miller. Aged, 21 years. I'm regarded as one of the most tempestuous inmates in a leading rehabilitation center. I have a massive addiction towards cannabis. Why? A certain girl, my first friend in a long time, asked me the same question. With a mind filled with uncertainty, I have decided not to keep her in the dark, since she candidly cares about me. She really deserves to know....

My mama eagerly looked at the calendar and beamed warmly. On the calendar was a date specially marked with blue glitter pen, July 23rd. After all, it was my fourteenth birthday. My mother hugged me and exclaimed, "You've grown up in the blink of an eye! It feels as if only yesterday I took you to be admitted to kindergarten."

I looked up eagerly at mama. She seemed so blithe, it made me feel warm too. I could do anything and everything, just to see that smile plastered on her features.

"Mama has good news for you! Guess what?"

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Daddy's coming back home! We'll be celebrating your birthday together!" Mom giggled as a toddler.

I didn't feel any happiness at that. I never felt any attachment towards my father. So, not to disappoint mama, I forced a smile with much difficulty. Meanwhile, brother, who was standing beside me, pumped his fist up in the air, delighted at the news.

Amidst the excited voices, the sound of the doorbell echoed throughout the house.

"He's here! Daddy's here!" Brother exclaimed as he rushed down the stairs towards the door to welcome Mr. Miller, followed by my mama, widely grinning. I dragged my feet out of the room alongside mama, the same deadpan expression visible on my face.

As I finally reached downstairs, I saw Mr. Miller, who's supposed to be my father. He was a well built, tough looking man, just like one would imagine an army officer with important duties to be.

As soon as mama saw him, she threw herself in his arms. Brother looked on with an amused demeanor.

"Welcome back, honey! It's been so long!"

"Welcome home, daddy!" Brother cooed.

"Of course, darling. I had to come, after all it's Erose's birthday!"

Saying this, Mr. Miller came towards me and knelt down. Caressing my cheeks, he said in a low voice, "You've grown into a handsome young man already, boy."

Being young, I failed to notice the glint in his eyes. Neither did mama and brother comprehend his actions.

Unable to find any suitable reply, I murmured a quiet 'thank you'.

"Okay, then. Let's decorate the house!" Mama clapped her hands together and went off to search for the balloons and other decorations. Brother followed her to help.

At that time, my eyes followed mama. How impeccably she handled the delicate craft works, how beautifully she decorated her own world, her home, little by little.

What startled me was my father's unusually good behavior. I never expected such a thawed approach from the man who never even conversed properly with me, like he did with mama or brother. He always seemed to keep me at an arm's length, avoiding even the most minimalist of the conversations with me or regarding me.

I remained stoic as usual, but the realization of father noticing me after all these years filled my tender heart with joy.

To be continued....