This is the first chapter to a short story about: A mother who experienced a perfect unforgettable day to a day that turned into her worst one yet. No doubt. Will she be able to get over the unimaginable day? Or will she carry the burden and guilt...
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Relaxed, cheerful and completely stress-free. That was how everyone looked and felt that day, including myself and my beautiful daughter, Marissa. No worries and no work! It was a wonderful summer's day—the children were playing in the dazzling blue sea and the parents were peacefully relaxing on the sun bed, soaking up the perfect golden tan. Everything was going completely well—well, at least that was what i thought...
It was 14:40 when I foolishly decided to take a little nap. The worst mistake I had probably ever made! After a calm 10minutes of just clearing my head and taking in the hot soaking day, i decided to open my eyes and since the moment i had opened my eyes, I regretted that I'd even shut them in the first place! Marissa was no where to be seen...
Felling as though my heart had stopped beating, I sprinted up and down the beach, back and forth, desperately hoping that after a few minutes, my precious daughter would just yell my name and, with a cheerful look on her face, innocent of all the distress she had caused me, would just come running to me. Unfortunately, she didn't. Anxious and miserable, i could not help but gradually let my tears stroll down my face. Frantically looking around everywhere, desperately trying to spot her, I was able to see everyone just minding their own business, happily playing and enjoying their precious family time. Then, there was me. Sprinting up and down the beach like a mad lady.
Who would have thought that such a happy day could turn in to the worst one of my life! It was supposed to be a wonderful stress-free day but instead, i felt as if my life was over!
Nervously, i shouted from the top of my lungs, "MARISSA!" "MARISSA WHERE ARE YOU?!" Nothing. Absolutely nothing...
There was no sign of her at all. Instead, the jovial sounds of everyone just echoed back. Cautiously, I made my way to the end of the beach and that was when my heart really did stop beating. I saw her sand bucket with her initials on top and just a few meters apart, i saw her newly bought spade. As i hurriedly ran up to her spade, i saw her tiny footprints embedded deeply into the sand. Desperately hoping that I'd find her playing near the sparkling sea, watching the beautiful sun set. whilst collecting a variety of shells as the wind blew her silky chocolate brown hair back, I rushed further along the beach.
Forcing myself to push any horrendous thoughts out of my mind, even though they kept pushing themselves back, i hurried to the life guards. "Please HELP ME! I think my daughter has drowned in the deep sea!" I nervously screamed whilst tears streamed down my face rapidly. The lifeguards rushed to the sea and after long dreadful 15minutes, there was STILL no sign of Marissa.
Hopelessly I collapsed onto the soft sand. Honestly, i did not want to lose hope however, it was obvious to me, she had gone missing and it was ALL MY FAULT. My head was filled with so many questions; was she okay? Who could have taken her? Where on earth could she be!? Helplessly I was trying to come up with excuses as i was in such denial...would I ever see her again? That was what worried me the most. Would I ever see my precious dearest daughter ever again? Would i ever be able to have them cosy relaxing nights with her and, watch our favourite TV shows together? Or have a day where we would go out to the park and have fun on the swings? Never in my whole life have i ever once thought about something like this happening...if only i was a lot more cautious.
Powerless, frail and morose, I despairingly watched the glorious sun set, wishing desperately that she'd just appear before my eyes...wistfully, that indeed was the last day i saw her.
