Past Shadows

What A Small World

“ * Sprinkling Water. * “

“ * Colliding Metals. * “

A just awoken Alisa felt her ears being assaulted by the sound of metallic object sliding and colliding against one another, and sprinkling water. This was due to the small distance between her room and the kitchen.

While still on the bed, dallied in the laziness that refused to depart from her being, she summed up some strength to stretch and pick up her phone.

As soon as she checked the time, “ Ahhhh. “ an exclamation ranged out. A few minutes past six.

The previous night, after finally getting home; another round of mother-daughter drama had taken place. But it did end a bit better than it had at shop today. It ended with her mom informing her that she would have to go camping today. Camping with a group of strangers she never knew. One that claims to be aimed at fixing old wounds and coaching the brethrens on life and it mysteries.

At first, she tried to refuse. She had a weird thought that her mom might be trying to sell her off since she had become so troublesome. But later on, she snapped out of the immature train of thought. Due to the willingness to always love and respect her mom, plus her dad’s presence; she was left with no choice than to oblige. One thing she never liked doing was giving her caring dad any reason to worry.

The scheduled time for departure was seven o’clock African time, and she was yet to prepare her luggages or even have her bath. She was so exhausted due to the farces throughout the previous day. Thus, even after being informed, she couldn’t sum up energy to get prepared. Thence, her only choice was to make every preparation this morning.

She had originally scheduled herself to had woken up by 4 o’clock am, but from the look of things, that didn’t go well. Now she was on a race against time.

Just then, “ * Knocks * “. Three knocks vibrated from her door. At first, she was still in daze, thus didn’t answer quickly. Thus another three knocks resounded.

“ Who’s there? “ She inquired as she stood from the bed and walked towards the door.

Soon as she got there, she unlocked it and popped it open. Behind the door was a handsome middle-aged man on a wheel chair. The fact that such a good looking vibrant middle age man ended up on a wheel chair was a questionable reality, but one which answers she had yet to know.

Whenever she had brought up the topic when she was little, she could remember how it always ended up dampening everyone’s joviality. Thus she never bothered doing so any longer. Rather live with what had already happened than cause a second catastrophe in your search for what caused the first. This was what she had grown to believe.

Alisa quickly ran out and gave the man a big hug. “ Daddyyyyyy. “ She exclaimed in a low pitched as she did so. The Alisa at this moment was completely different from the usual Alisa. Whether when fighting or when working. Or even any other activities. The only time she was ever like this was when with her dad. This was how much she loved this hero of hers. Though handicapped, he had never ceased being there for her.

“ Hey. How was your night. “ Peter, Alisa’s dad spoke up as he reciprocated the hug.

“ Very good. How about yours dad? “ Alisa asked.

“ Better than yours. “ He replied playfully.

“ Better than whose? Not possible. You have no idea how cool my night was. “ She stood up and replied pompously while giving hand demonstration as if trying to illustrate the description.

“ No matter what you say, mine was better. “ He said as he turned his wheel chair sideways like one who had just made a serious proclamation. He tried so hard to keep his face as stern as it could be. Alas, he was doing a very bad job.

Just as Alisa was about to reply again, a yell resounded from the kitchen. “ That’s not what you said you were going to tell her. “

“ … “ Silence.

Then; “ Jealousy. “ Alisa muttered.

“ Hahahahaha. “ Peter hand quickly located his belly, and laughter started spilling uncontrollably. This daughter of his was just so loving. Her presence always brought happiness to him.

“ Fine fine fine. Since you are yet to get dressed, I assume you woke up late. Quickly go and prepare so we won’t keep your camp coach waiting when he arrives. “ Peter finally spilled the beans on why he initially came.

“ Yes daddy. “ Alisa nodded obediently and got back in. She immediately walked to a box attached to the wall. It had a statues of the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of GOD on it.

Some day in the past, she had seen her dad before the statue. His eyes were closed, head was bowed and he seemed to be muttering something. Confused, lacking an understanding of what he was doing, she walked up to him and asked. That day, she got told a story. A story of a father with so many children. One who sits above watching over them all. And that he was communicating with him. He also told her what he was doing was called; Praying.

Having seen her mom also doing this previously, she decided to not be left out. Thus she requested her own box and statue. Since then, every morning, she did pray; speak to the father who lives in heaven.

Standing before the box with her eyes shut closed, she quickly muttered some heartfelt words. Then she bowed in salutation before turning away. Next she had her bath and packed her luggages, brushed her teeth and cleaned her footwear. In a not so long time, she was already done. Even she was surprised at her speed.

Just then, “ * Horn * “. The sound of a horning vehicle resounded. Alisa knew it was most likely the awaited bus. Thus she picked up her luggages and proceeded.

“ Bye mom, bye dad. “ Alisa yelled as she ran towards the bus with her light luggage. As soon as she got close to the boss, a man on a face mask and face cap got down from the front seat. He took away her luggage and placed it in the boot. While he walked, a gaze stared at him weirdly as if pondering on something. It was Peter’s gaze.

Next, Alisa got into the bus and the man did to. She noticed a second person on the boss but paid less attention to the person as she was still bidding farewell to her parents.

The gaze of this person was plastered on her. It’s shock, surprise and enthusiasm was plain.

Alisa also turned at that moment to take a glance at one of the fellows she would be camping with. The face she saw shocked her core.

‘ What’s going on. ‘ She thought. This thought wasn’t solo to her. The lass on the other side also thought the same. A weird awkward scene immediately played out; two girls in their teens gazing at each other with flabbergasted eyes and a touch of anger and some other emotions.

The one in the bus was non other than Prisca. What a small world…