Cannabis

Chapter 11

"Phew! It's all done!" said Mama as she wiped the beads of sweat that had appeared on her merry face as a proof to her hard work. I looked on with amazement visible in my eyes, the house was beautifully decorated on the occasion of my birthday. Brother was keeping away the scissors and tapes whereas father was busy in reading the newspaper.

"It's amazing!" I exclaimed as I looked around the house.

"It's all for you, dear!" Mama beamed at me.

"When's the cake gonna come?!" Brother whined as he looked at the clock, striking perfectly 4pm.

"Oh! The cake....", mama trailed off.

"Let's go out together and bring the cake!" Father exclaimed cheerfully.

This caught me off guard. I never saw father so cheerful and happy. He pulled me closer and planted a kiss on my cheek which made me blush a little.

"Okay then. Let's get dressed!"

All of us, father, mama, Evan and I went out to bring the cake. We were chatting merrily and laughing, which made my heart filled with happiness to the brink. Never in my life did I feel so good, all of us were together, like a happy family. Especially, since father at last acknowledged my presence in his life, in the Miller household. It was surprisingly the happiest day of my life.

Father drove us to the best confectionary in the neighborhood. As soon as I entered the store, my eyes widened to see assorted cakes and sweets spread out on the counter for the customers to see.

"Which one do you want, dear?" Dad came closer to my ear and whispered.

"T-that one...", I faltered nervously as I pointed to a beautifully decorated chocolate cake, kept not too far from us.

"Very well, we shall have it then!"

"When I was of your age, Erose, I never got a cake this grand. Daddy's playing favorites...", Evan snorted.

I felt a tad bit uncomfortable at this.

The series of events taking place in front of me, that seemed unbelievable a moment ago, started to make sense now, which filled my entire being with elation. I'm finally getting close with father, occupying a place in his once stone cold heart.

The day went very well. My birthday party was celebrated in a pompous manner and above all, we spent a quality time together.

In other words, my fourteenth birthday was a memorable one. I never knew that father could even forget his official duties for a day and mingle with us. I never knew that I'd grow so close to him. I was exhilarated, very much.

Father was on his way to becoming 'Dad' for me. It felt like a dream come true. I never knew when my 'dream' changed into a ghastly nightmare. Fate definitely had other plans for me.

To be continued...