Feathers Of A Bird

Chapter : Two

(Listen to the music while reading for a better experience!)

December, 2032

"Fiona? Fiona? Where are you? Come on! It's not time to play hide and seek!"

Grace is calling her daughter who is diligent hiding behind trees in the backyard.

We will be heading to our hometown after a long time. But besides, we made a scheme of going on a vacation together before going to our hometown on the verge of the year.

Yesterday evening, I came to their place for today's journey. We're going to Snowdonia. Snowdonia is a mountainous region in north-western Wales. Perhaps, one of the best places to lighten up one's mind. Perhaps, it's the most favourable spot to visit now, with all these people I love.

However, I have a fear. A fear that has always kept me away from this place. A fear that makes me want to tear my past apart.

I'm standing beside a tree, leaning towards it, and watching this cute family.
Meanwhile, Grace is constantly checking the list to make sure that we haven't left a single thing that we're supposed to bring with us.
Moreover, she's trying to get to her daughter to see if she's ready or not. However, she wouldn't be caught!
Ethan, on the other hand, is putting the bags into the trunk and laughing at his wife who is freaking out!

"Stop, stop, you're contaminating sound and destroying our delicate environment!"
Says Ethan.

"Oh! So I'm polluting nature now! Then why don't you call out your daughter, huh?"

Grace yells at him angrily.

Ethan replies peacefully,

"Fine, I'll call her!"

Then he glances at Fiona.

"Fiona? Momma thinks I can't handle you, is it true, dear?"

"Uh-huh! It's so true! You can't!"

She announces.

Grace starts laughing.

"See?"

She says.

Ethan pretends to surrender and goes back to his work.
"God knows who can control you!"
He says.

Fiona, from somewhere in the backyard, says out loud,
"I know who can control me as well as God!"

Then she peeks through a bush and says,
"Only Kithie can! Understood?"

And both of her parents say together,
"Oh!! I see!"

We all begin to laugh concurrently!

"Okay, then! Come to me, sweetums!"
I say.

She begins to gallop towards me, pretending to be a horse.
I open my arms, and she jumps into them.

Grace chuckles and says,
"The one and only human controller of Fiona, can you please see whether she's ready to go or not?"

I reply,
"Sure, ma'am!"

"Why am I the only one who has to be seen if ready or not?!"
Fiona makes a grumpy face.

I reply,
"That's cause you are a princess! And princesses should always stay properly ready."

She asks,
"Ready for what?"

"What if somebody attacks us?! Who will save us then?"
She shouts, this time pretending to be a soldier,

"I WILL!!"

"Yup, you will! But if you are not prepared how will you do so? Hmm?"

Now she looks concerned for the first time.
"What do I have to do to get ready?"

Hearing this from such an energetic child like Fiona, some big smiles appeared on all of the adult's faces.

Answering Fiona's question, grace says,
"Eat something, you don't eat in the car and we're gonna have to spend plenty of time in the car."
Fiona lets out a sigh,
"Fine."

"Voila!"
I say in my mind.

Ethan grins and gives me a thumbs-up.
And Grace whispers,
"Good job!"
I bow.

And subconsciously let a sigh out.

Should I just move on?