Fantamasia

A Teary Farewell

The sun shone, coating everything with a golden blob of sunlight. ‘So Professor Mufti, how long is it till your homeland?’ I asked walking on the green uneven grass, making me ticklish as I made my way further into the maze. He smiled ‘only a stop away Lily’ he pushed his glasses back to his nose. Only a stop away! ‘But I- you can’t leave so early! You must have read the map wrong’ I stammered trying to hide the hint of sadness in my eyes. ‘I made the map Lily it’s not possible for me to read it wrong’ he said a little sarcastically. I tried to answer with the innocent ‘oh’ but I lost my voice.

He couldn’t be leaving so soon! I mean...- I don’t know what I mean to tell the truth. I didn’t want him to leave; he had helped me so much and he had been so kind and friendly. I couldn’t think of not seeing him ever again. No, I pushed the thought away. Somehow Professor Mufti saw my worried face and ruffled my hair and said ‘don’t worry. I won’t leave without saying goodbye’ that had calmed me down a lot. ‘Good’ was all I said with no expression on my face. It would seem that I had been annoyed but the way I twirled around the roses, tulips ,blue-bells ,daisies ,primroses ,jasmines , lilies and the rest of the lot ;it looked as though someone had given me a ten dollar note as an early birthday present. I couldn’t help it.

For the rest of the day we just relaxed. I played hopscotch on my own, slept underneath the shade of an apple tree with Feathers or just read a book to calm down my nerves. Before I knew it the day had passed and I was fast asleep on the grass, Feathers’ wings protecting me from the cold.

The next morning came and we were off soaring in the sky as far as the wind would take us. I had no idea where or what Professor Mufti’s home land was but thankfully I didn’t have to worry because he took the lead and guided Feathers the way. My head in the clouds I munched on a cookie and wondered if I should get some sleep. The days had passed by very quickly and now here I was so close to finding my father. I didn’t know what I would tell him, how I would apologise for being so distant for blaming him for everything that had happened. I just hoped that he wouldn’t be upset; that he’d forgive me.

As the clouds swiftly floated in the clear blue sky I saw a place becoming bigger and bigger the closer we got. I couldn’t think that he would leave so soon. As my feet touched the soft lumpy earth I walked behind the Professor smelling the scent of jasmines and –what was that? Was it cheese? It had to be cheese. Jasmines and cheese... I guessed it didn’t make such a bad combination. With my head down I followed Professor Mufti, Feathers behind me.

 The people standing on the same earth as I was weren’t surprised to see a huge bird speaking English. I guessed they were used to seeing odd creatures.  I asked how his home was high in starvation. Professor Mufti in response muttered something about government. That made complete sense so I said no more. I saw that both Professor Mufti and Feathers had come to a stop.

I turned around and saw Professor Mufti petting Feathers. I smiled knowing that Feathers loved to get attention. Once he had said his goodbye to Feathers, I shake Professor Mufti’s hand but of course that wouldn’t fit for my sadness. I slowly watched Professor Mufti turn around. Before I knew it I was running on my heels crying ‘wait!’ I ran as fast as I could and hugged him. He was the best person, second to my family perhaps a relative; in fact he had felt just like family to me now that I had thought about it. ‘I’m going to miss you and I never said goodbye’ I said shyly. He ruffled my hair smiled and said ‘don’t worry I won’t ever forget you’, and the he smiled and added ‘and I might visit you someday’ that had made my day. I gave him a weak smile and went up to Feathers. I got my WNC phone out texting my father saying ‘almost there dad. Just hang in their’.