Gringggg!!!Gringggg!! Opps, that was my phone ringing. At that very hour of the morning? It was barely dawn. Who could be calling at that time.
I picked up my phone to check and my dad had been the one calling all this while.
"Hey dad! how're you doing?" I greeted whilst struggling to get off my bed.
"Hello Lisse" he greeted from the other end. Well my dad preferred to call me Lisse.
That's the short form of my name "Elisse Manne"
"Dad! What could be the reason you called so early?" I asked with utmost curiosity.
"There is something really important we need to discuss, you need to come home as fast as you can". He sounded very serious.
He sounded really serious and I began to wonder what could be the problem?
Did any strange thing happen at home? These questions kept flooding my mind but I had to play calm.
"Okay dad,you are beginning to scare the hell out of me, tell me what is going on". I pleaded with him.
But my dad insisted I visit. I had no choice at that point but to find a way to go see "them"(my dad and mom) as fast as I could.
These two (dad &mom) meant the world to me and I can move mountains for them.
It was going to be a hard task for me at that point due to the fact that I had to leave a lot of things behind.
First of all, my business had to be on hold.
I am a social entrepreneur.
My dad has always wanted me to join his company but I insisted on doing my own thing. My choice of career doesn't sit well with him. He hasn't found the reason to stop me yet.
Hopefully, one day he will.
After the call, I needed to start heading home.
My house wasn't too far from my parent's. It usually took about one hour to drive to their apartment.
Whenever I went visiting my parents, I never forgot to go with gifts. It had become a routine and I couldn't skip that even at the critical moment.
Don't blame me, they're my world.
I had decided to make a quick stop at a nearby mall on my way there.
Everything just seemed different that day.
The mall had never been as crowded as it was at that point. Regardless, I needed to shop for my favorite people.
I was finally done with my shopping and it was time to go.
I weaved through the crowded mall with my arms full of bags and half melted smoothie in hand.
I turned a corner near the escalators, moving fast, I suddenly bumped into the wall.
No,not a wall.
A chest.
My smoothie tilted, the lid popped off and pink liquid splashed across a perfectly tailored black coat.
"Oh -God, I'm so sorry-" I stammered.
The man stepped back slowly, looking down at the mess on his coat like it personally offended him
Well, I'm sure it did offend him.
But I'd apologized.
"Are you blind, or just reckless?" He shouted. His voice was sharp, deep and sounded like a Lion's roar.
"Excuse me? "I asked in shock.
Why did he have to shout like that. It was obviously a mistake,I wouldn't do that on purpose.
"You have to pay for damages immediately for ruining my expensive outfit" He snapped. Brushing at the stain with a silk handkerchief, that somehow made it worse.
"Or you could just try not standing in the middle of a walkway like a statue" he continued.
His eyes flicked up, he had sharp gray eyes.
"You are really rude, insensitive and condescending for goodness sake:
I have apologized to you, what more do you want from me?"I answered.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice "you're quite bold for someone who just ruined a thousand dollar coat"
I matched his stare."You are quite dramatic for someone who shops in a mall". I said to him.
He actually smirked.
Then without saying a word, he turned and walked off. I was left speechless and oddly rattled.
What a rude dude!! He couldn't even accept an apology.
It was finally time to head home,my parents were expecting me.
I pulled into the driveway, the crunch beneath my tires sounding like memories.
My dad stood there with his arms crossed. He'd been waiting for the longest.
I stepped out of the car stretching my stiff limbs.
"Took you long enough". He said gruffly.
I smiled. "Hello to you too dad"
Before he could respond, the front door swung open.
"Lisse!!" my mom called, rushing out with open arms.
"What are these too up to?" I asked myself. From my observation, they look sound and healthy. I did not see reasons for the urgent call.
"I hope I'm safe. What could be their plan this time?" I whispered to myself.
I barely had time to brace before I was pulled into a tight hug. She hugged me so tight like she had not seen me in decades.
"Hi mom!" I whispered against her shoulder." You look great and smell really nice"
My mom pulled back, holding me at arm's length. "You look tired. Come inside, I made your favorite".
I loved the sound of that.
My dad followed behind. "Didn't think you remembered where you lived".
"Come on dad, I haven't been gone for that long". I told him.
We stepped into the house, the familiar warmth wrapping around me like a blanket.
My mom handed me a glass of water, already fussing. "Sit down, relax. You must be exhausted".
I was actually exhausted, the scene at the supermarket alone was enough to get me exhausted.
"I'm okay". Finally exhaling, as I sank into the couch. "It's just good to be here".
My dad sat across giving me a quiet look "it's good to have you home kid"
Okay at that point,I knew they were up to something. Whenever he was this quiet, then it was something serious.
"We are going to be having a family dinner later in the day, and that's where I'm going
to break the news to you". My dad announced.
I knew it– But what could it be? I had to wait till dinner to find out.