Pearl: Luminous

Chapter 3

The guy occupies my mind on my way home. I looked over the hanky and it has initial E.A.

“Miss Pearl we’re here” I heard the driver said.

The body guard goes out and opens the door for me. I was holding my trophy the hanky.

“This way Miss, your mom and dad are waiting for you” my nanny said.

I saw mom and dad in dining area, and kissed mom’s cheeks.

“Good evening mom, dad” I said in a lively tone.

“Good evening Pearl, honey where have you been? Were you from training” She asked me.

Didn’t she know I had competed a while ago?

“No, Mom I had Ballet competition”

“Oh really? I forgot it was today, How is it Pearl?” she said.

“It went well mom, I won.”

I said smiling. I wish you were there.

“Congratulations honey, I’m pretty sure you’d win any ballet competitions Pearl, stage is your possession every time you dance honey.” She said.

“Thank you mommy.”

I looked at my dad, his mind seem occupied. Is he thinking about work? Isn’t he going to congratulate me? Maybe he’s too tired, maybe up until now he still want me to enter Politics just like what he did.

I hurriedly finished my meal and bid good night to them.

“Good night mommy, Dad” I said, he just look at me, I started to excuse myself when I heard dad speak, so I stopped.

“You should’ve stopped whatever you’re doing” he said in finality.

“You have no future in that field” he added.

I just look down, continue walking and lock the door as I enter my room.

I felt my energy drained. I felt so weak, his words weakened me.

My dad has always wanted me to involve in politics, just like him. He wants me to quit ballerina, to focus in my studies, to top the class, and enter politics. How could I do that? I am not into Politics. Every time I hear the word itself, it makes me sick.

My eyes landed to brown envelop placed in my night table. When I open it I saw my credentials and enrollment slip. Hah! It must been my new school. I just graduate high school in St. Augustine High School. I’d be in first year college next week, taking up performing arts. I want to be a famous ballet dancer and it has always been my dream since I was little, I would go for that no matter what.

The next morning, I woke up early and decided to go for a run. When I woke up mom and dad wasn’t there already.

I stopped to catch some breaths and look up, I could see the sun from where I stand.

It’s always sunny above the clouds, Morning sun is my favorite view, the way it dance through the tree leaves and the way it shines. Every time I keep my sight into the sun, I couldn’t see shadow, it keeps me going and gives me warmth.

I passed by into some coffee shop so I decided to enter.

“Is she Pearl Smith?”

“Daughter of senator? Yeah, I think so”

I heard them talking, and I could feel some people inside looking at me, I just headed straight to counter. I don’t like attention, unlike my dad. I don’t like people looking at me, unless I’m performing ballet I really do demand attention.

I proceed to the counter and they hurriedly greeted me, I just ordered some coffee and leave the place immediately. Right after I opened the exit door, I was blinded by the lights from the camera, surrounded by the media.

“Does your father involved in the said ambush?”

“What can you say about the latest news Ms. Pearl?”

I could feel my heart beating faster as I heard them asking,

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about” I replied, “Excuse me”

I made my way out of their sight.

On my way home, I could feel my heart beat, what happened? What ambush they are talking about? What happened to daddy? I could feel my chest tightening just thinking about daddy being involved in such accident. Something vibrated in my pocket, it was my phone, someone’s calling, and it was mom. So I answered the call.

“Mom? What happen? Are you alright? Where’s daddy?”

Second passed before I heard mommy spoke.

“Pearl, where are you?” she said, I could feel her discomfort.

“Go home now,” she added

“mom, what happened?” I repeat, tears were rolling down my cheeks.

I am very worried.

“Nothing, just go home already” she said and hang up.

When I reach our house there are some reporter outside, so I made my way in the backdoor.

Silence welcomed me when I open the door, there no one here so I hurriedly ran upstairs. I found mom in their room, she was crying, so I bent down and hug her.

“Mom, What happened?” I asked, but she kept on crying, so am I.

“Mommy where is daddy?” I said in between my sobs.

“Mommy…please speak”

She looked at me and held my cheeks as she kissed me on my forehead.

“Pearl your dad...” she wasn’t able to finish what she’s saying. She just keeps on crying, I couldn’t breathe properly, I can’t see my mom like this. I don’t want what is happening right now, but I even have no idea.

“Daddy’s gone, princess” she said,

It stopped me.

It takes me a minute to analyze her words.

“Daddy’s gone” I said in whisper.

and felt tears as it left my eyes,

Just like how darkness dominates the surface when the candles melt,

I could feel my whole world eaten by the shadows of pain and grief.

“Daddy please come back…”