~ What If We could Rewrite the Stars ✨

Chapter 10

"Mommy, will I see papa there?" Iris enquired in an excited voice.

It's amusing how within a span of just one year Iris has transformed herself into a chatterbox.

"Hmmm.. Papa stays there, so if we behave like good girls, God must help us see Papa this time!" Irene replied in a throaty voice. She felt a heavy lump grow in her throat. She somehow managed to speak in a normal voice while combing her daughter's hairs.

"Then, I will be the best girl!!!!"

Irene could tell, her daughter was really excited to meet her father. She just couldn't smash her pure fantasies into grime. She couldn't tell her daughter that her father doesn't want her.

" That's like my daughter " She kissed her forehead fighting her tears.

"Mommy.. what is papa like?" Her innocent eyes were full of curiosity.

"Papa... Your papa is very handsome. He can sing, he can dance, his smile is just like yours - pretty."

"Will he come to my tea party?" This time curiosity was replaced by expectations.

"Baby, we are getting late.. let's go!"

"Yaaaayyyy!! I will meet Uncle Nate and Papa sooooon!!!" Iris hopped happily towards the elevator.

"I am so sorry baby. I am so sorry for giving you such a father." Irene whispered to herself.

They grabbed a cab and set out for airport.

"Uncle Nate!! Wait for me." Iris spoke to him over the video call.

"Ofcourse baby. Uncle will be waiting for you and mommy at the airport. "

"Really??" Nate chuckled at her excitement. His heart melts everytime he sees this ball of cuteness.

"Yes!! Can I talk to mommy about something?"

Iris handed the cellphone to her mother sulking over the fact that uncle Nate didn't want to talk to her.

"Irene, I rented the apartment for you guys. You can choose to move in the same day."

"Thanks a lot, Nate. I don't know what would I have done without your help."

"Come on! I am not doing this for free. You need to feed me dinner for 30 days, don't forget!"

"Sometimes I feel like I have two children."

Nate laughed as she rolled her eyes at him.

"I will be waiting for you, Kak Irene. Come quick, don't keep me waiting.."

"Then, I will just fly the aeroplane, okay?"

After few more minutes, she disconnected the call with a big smile on her face. She missed USA too much
Finally, she was going back.

Her cell rang again...

It was him. She was surprised to see he had the same number even after all these years. She couldn't understand why would he even bother to call her now!"

"- Hello?

- so what?

- listen! We don't have any wish to disturb you either! Where I go and don't go is my choice. And how did you know this?

- no, no, no. YOU DIDN'T DO THIS, DID YOU???

-STOP. I feel disgusted! How could you stoop so low?"

Their cab halted at the signal when a sudden wave of screams erupted from the surrounding. Irene was still on call when she saw a giant truck speeding towards their cab. It looked out of control. By reflex she brought Iris in her arms and wrapped herself around her delicate body as much as she could.

BANG...

The car flipped a few times and skidded towards pedestrians lane before crashing into a tree.

Iris could barely breath in her mother's hold. All she could see was blood and bits of glasses everywhere. She was scared, scared out of wits. Her limbs were aching horribly. She wanted to cry, but failed.

"Mommy.." she called in a small voice before drifting to a land of no lights.

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The huge display board showed their flight has landed safely. Nate felt relieved. He walked towards the arrival gate anticipating their exit. He has been waiting since early morning. Apparently, the flight was delayed by one hour.

He waited for another one hour. Many travellers came out with their luggages, but Irene and Iris were nowhere to be seen.

He was growing impatient. Pacing to and fro infront of the exit terminal, he waited for another hour before giving them a call.

The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off. Please try after sometime.

Maybe they have some luggage issues- he thought.

He ended up waiting for another two hours..

Three hours..

Four hours..

Seven hours..

This is it! He ran towards the enquiry section.

The news came as unexpected as a bolt from the blue. Airport authority said, Irene and Iris never boarded on the plane, they even didn't collect their boarding passes.

Nate squatted down cradling his face in his hands. His subconscious was telling him something has gone terribly wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen.

He tried calling them once again, but in vain.

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Two months later..

I don't want to stay with this uncle. He is strict. Uncle Nate said he will be waiting for me. Mommy has also gone to sleep, she didn't wake up again. They said, she is in heaven now. Why did she leave me?

"Iris, walk close." The man said in a serious tone.

"Where are you taking me?" She finally asked the question she had wanted to ask for a while.

"To your grandmother."

"Is papa there?"

"Your papa can't stay with you. It will cause him problems."

Her heart dropped. First mommy, then papa. No one wants me. Uncle Nate! Nate was her last support. Yes, uncle Nate will be there for me. He promised.

She walked out of the airport eager to meet Nate. But, her heart was brutally wounded when she realised her Uncle Nate didn't keep his promise. He didn't wait for her. He, too, doesn't want her. A tear trickled down her cheek.

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Double update, my lovelies!!