A Lie So Beautiful

11. A Bonding Time

Mia's Point of View.

Another day has past with me still being helpless. Today Claire's condition seems to have worsen a lot. The pain she have in her heart, has doubled up suddenly, with no explanation at all. Chris seems so stressed out, and I perfectly understood why, yet all this stress about Mia and Claire worsening conditions and the extreme pressure to at least have a diagnosis seems to be pulling both of us apart. Shouting and being mad at each other seems to be an inescapable things these days. And today was no different, Chris and me both fought again. And the irony is, we don't really know why we are fighting.

I really hope this phase of life will pass soon. This is too tiring for all of us.

Why do I know nothing of these? This seems to be a constant question I ask every day.

My father seems to be so affected by this illness, and it seems its pretty harsh and yet I know nothing of it.

Hmmm I do know I have amnesia but why does dad never mention anything about this?

I guess I'll know if I ask, but I wanna finish with the journal first and then ask.

And that is how I start another day, as usual. I wash up, put on dress for work and then goes down.

Mia(cheerful) : Morning dad.

Chris: Morning Mia, come have your breakfast.

As usual dad have prepare our breakfast but why is he not dressed today?

Mia: Why dress casual? Not going to work?

With that I sit down and have started inhaling down my food.

Chris(confuse) :Iam not going, are you?

And dad look at me in a 'confuse yet I knew it', look which in turn make me confuse.

Mia(confuse): Why won't I?

Chris: What day is today?

Mia: Thursday why?

Chris: Not like that. I mean day day?

Mia: What! Am I suppose to say Thursday Thursday just because you say day day?

I mean does day day make sense to anyone else? I look at my dad weirdly, while he also stare back the same way.

Chris(in disbelieve) : Justin is right. You are growing backward not forward!

Mia: Hey!

That may be true, cause you see; according to the three of them and sometimes me included, I have grown more foolish as I grow older and older. Literally forgetting everything.

Chris: What? It's the truth.

Mia: That may be true, but you are always suppose to be on my side.

Chris: And why is that?

Mia: Because you are my dad!

Tch. He is my dad, that Justin bad affect is going everywhere. First he goes to Jace side and now he is pulling dad in as well. Like Iam ever gonna let that happen.

Chris(disbelieve) : Tch. So think what day is today.

Mia: THURSDAY, you want the date as well. November 5, 2020.

Chris: No! And today is November 10. Tuesday.

Mia: What? Today is Tuesday?

Chris(exaggerating) : What is the matter with you?

Yes! What is the matter with me. Come on today is Thursday , Iam sure of it. With that I sneak peek at my phone, suspecting my dad's word. But true to his word, today indeed is Tuesday and date 10. With no way out, I accept my defeat.

Mia(coolly) : Iam just bad with dates and remembering them. And I also don't wanna be looked as a foolish child. So why don't you just tell me in a straightforward manner.

Chris: For the love of god, Mia. You are the one who force us to take November 10 as work free day because you wanna have bond time.

And I look at him blankly cause I don't remember anything even after he had said this. When did I ever do that? Think Mia think.

Chris: You still don't remember, do you?

I don't remember anything, not even a dot but a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do.

Mia(acting shock) : I remembered. Ahhhh and I didn't prepare anything.

As far as I know me, I must have suggest going for a picnic type thingy. Iam sure I said that cause that's how far my ideas goes for a day off, for it can't process beyond that.

Chris: I have already made everything. Seeing how you mindlessly went to sleep yesterday, I knew this will happen.

Mia: Tch. Its just one time thing.

Chris: You even forgot your own birthday last year. What do you mean one time?

That is also true I did forgot my birthday and even Justin's and even Jace. But I did remember dads, haha Iam kidding; Jace remind me seven times the prior week for me to remember. Yes, Iam that kind of person.

Mia: Okay. But you still can't look at me like that.

Chris: Like what?

Mia: Like Iam a foolish child

Chris: When did I?

Mia: Right now.

And I pout at him, and point an accusing finger at his expression which really say, you are stupid!

Chris: Okay okay, my Mia is the wisest of all and no one can say otherwise.

Mia(grinning) : That's more like it.

I know, I act a bit spoiled with my dad but hey, he is my dad so I can and I will. Right then, when I was grinning like a Cheshire cat, I heard a car horn.

Chris: Oh! That must be the boys.

And with that dad get up to open the gate while I just mumble to myself.

Mia: So, Iam really the only one who forget about today. I should let dad stay quiet. If not Justin is not gonna leave me, specially when I started the whole thing.

With that they come in and also join in our breakfast or dinner cause it's nearly 10am now.

Jace,Justin: Morning Angel/ Mia Pia.

Mia: Morning boys and yes Pia is not in my name Justin.

Justin: So angel is?

Mia: Yes. Cause Jace always call me that, I have decided to make it my middle name.

That is a complete lie, Iam just saying because loosing in a convo with Justin is just not an option.

Justin: You liar, Chris please tell the truth for me.

And he expectantly look at dad while I also look at dad with much more expectancy than Justin. Looking at us dad give out a huge sigh and finally decide his side.

Chris : It is indeed her middle name.

Justin( disbelieve) : Jace being her side Iam used to it, but now you too.

Chris: Today itself, I heard I have to be always on her side cause Iam her dad.

Mia(serious): Hey! You are not supposed to say that out loud. That kind of conversation is our family talk. We have to maintain our privacy dad.

Chris: You and your drama.

To that I just make a weird face which make dad laugh. And I also didn't forget to show my Victory face to Justin who just shake his head along with Jace.

This is how our talk always go when we are together. Always bickering here and there.

We all know we are just spouting nonsense but again taking sides can never be nonsense even if the topic is, and that's the fun of our bickering.

Jace: So Mia, where is the place we are going again?

Mia: Hahhhaha, its a beautiful place. A beautiful spot.

A place, any place come to my mind now. Where did I tell them we will go again? Ahhh my brain, please work. Come on. Work. Think of a new place, just a place. Anything will be fine so think.

Justin: Tch you have already describe it a million time. We just wanna know where it is. We are the drivers as you can see.

Mia(sarcastic) : Is it, I never knew.

Just then Jace move a lot closer and whisper slowly and gently.

Jace(whispering) : Why are you behaving weird? Did you forget the place?

To which I give a nod with a helpless pout which make him chuckle and shake his head in disbelieve.

Justin(dramatic) : Oh children, please save your PDA for other place. This is the breakfast table.

And he, oh so dramatically put one hand on his eye and the others on dad.

Jace: Where in the world do you see a PDA here?

Justin: Don't act like you don't know, I know what you did just now?

Jace: What did I do?

Justin: Whispering sweet nothing to her.

Jace: And how is that PDA?

Mia: Yes! How is that PDA?

Justin: You! Joining in only after you know who won!

Mia: My choice!

And I stick out my tongue childishly at him.

Justin: Ahhh. You really riles me up.

Chris: Justin, you can put down your hand now you know.

When dad says that we all look at him and yes true to his word Justin still has his hand on dad eye. Justin realizing it, so awkwardly put down his hand which make me laugh out loud while Justin glare at me. But Jace decide to break that weird atmosphere.

Jace: Anyway, we better leave now or we will be late.

With that we start our ride to who knows where, Iam just going with the flow knowing nothing. Actually Jace is driving, and that too without asking any direction.

So my guess is, he must have figure out I forgot and he made up where to go himself. Cause if that not it, we are gonna have a picnic in the car itself. Cause I have no clue where I plan to go and coming up with a new place seems like a disastrous process right now.

But after a while of driving and of course making fun of each other in the car, Jace finally stop the car in a very extreme corner of a forest. And as I can't wait to know where we are, I jump out the car and the sight that met me was just out of the world.

The place was stunning. It was a beautiful lakeside filled with clear water. The lake filled with big white rocks here and there, makes it so much beautiful.

And mainly the background filled with greenery and beautiful wild flowers make it seems like, this place come right out of the fairy tale.

Not to forget the little cotton like white flower which covered the ground beneath our feet make it seems like a magical field, filled with soft clouds.

And of course the bonus is that, the heat of the sun seems quite different here. Its just feel warm and comfy. And not like the blazing heat of the city.

While I was 'feeling' the place, Jace and Dad has already laid out our picnic basket. Actually, we usually go and cook in our outing but today dad decide he will bring cook food, cause he is in the mood to chill under the sun the whole day.

So under that impression we all were chilling under the sun, all sitting in line with face, faced upward and body leaned back with our arm supporting us. Actually we are sitting inside the lake in one of the huge white rock.

While we were all chilling with me munching on the delicious water melon, I suddenly feel all wet like a heavy rain just pass by. I blink out of shock for a few time, but after I recover from my shock I was yet again rained on. So this time I quickly look up just to see that the sky is clear.

Jace: Come on Mia, do you really think a rain can just flash by like that?

I look at him and just gave him a shrug indicating 'I gotta dream what I gotta dream'. But after a while, I realize he is wet as well and even dad is while I can't feel Justin who was previously sitting besides me. So that little decide to dump his fate in my cruel hands huh?

With that I quickly jump down the rock and splash water on Jace and Dad at full speed and Justin quickly join in surprising the both of them. Cause clearly they were expecting me to splash it on Justin, but where is the fun in that if all of us don't play. And Iam sure that if I had play with Justin they will never join in and just continue to sit and watch, acting as the cool guys that they are.

And also at this kind of play teaming up with the most childish and playfully one is the best, so Justin it is.

And as we keep on splashing they seems to have woke up from their shock because as soon as they realize what's going on, they jump down and there start the water fight.

Childish? I know. But come on what does age have to do with our happiness.

If it makes us happy, who cares if we are childlike or even act like a granny. I don't think we have that much of a time that we contemplate every act of ours. So let us just go with the flow and get wet in the process. Cause right now Iam dripping wet.

After a while of playing, I realize whatever I say before was wrong, it always best to team up with strong people. Cause, Justin right now look like a wet paper doll, just hopeless.

Can't even stand up and completely out of breath. Even me Iam not that tired, so what is with him. When I keep looking at him, he must have seen my disappointed gaze cause as soon as he see me he is defending himself.

Justin: Come on, it's them who is weird not me. How can someone not get tired after splashing water for an hour straight. Don't look at me like that look at them, them!

Chris: Justin, Iam disappointed! You can't even compete with an oldie like me.

Jace: Yeah no one expect you to compete with me but come on even the always tired Mia is still standing, what is with you?

And all of us look at him, expecting him to say something.

Justin: I can't believe you guys, instead of helping me up. You guys are making fun of the fragile me.

Mia: Hey Iam not involved, I just stare and nothing else.

Justin: Don't act innocent, that disappointed gaze of yours started all this.

Mia: Well, you will know. After all, my disappointed gaze is reserved just for you and no one else.

Justin: Ahh! You will regret it someday.

Chris: As much as its funny to see you guys quarrel about, I think its better we go and have our lunch. As Iam such an oldie, I get hungry easily unlike you youngsters.

Justin: How he can always use him being old as an advantage is beyond me.

Mia: Everything is beyond you, as you little kid have a lot of growing to do. Don't fret my child, you will grow one day.

I went and pat his head like Iam much much older and wuser.

Justin: You are younger than me. You know that right.

Mia: I never knew a time will come, where you don't even know your age, it's just sad.

Justin(running) : You just wait.

And he was about to run to catch me but I saw my way out as I see Jace with his back turn on me ready to follow dad who is setting up our lunch. So I quickly sprint to him and jump on his back. And yes Iam actually younger than Justin.

Mia: Run Jace, a wet baby ghost is after us.

And Jace just went along with my play and quickly ran out of the water towards where my dad is with me on his back. Justin also run along but got no chance to win cause like I said Iam lazy and not fit so can't really run fast but Jace is a very different story. He is really fit and built. He is not very bulky but yes he is built in a very attractive way.

While we or Jace was sprinting, Justin once again fall like a paper doll all tired out.

Justin(in his knee and panting) :Do you exercise just for Mia to take advantage of?

Mia: Of course he did, he is my boyfriend ain't he?

Justin: What kind of theory is that?

Mia: I don't know, but it piss you off so Iam satisfied. And yes no need to kneel in front of me, either way I am not a cruel person, I always give food to everyone either that may be a wet baby ghost or an ugly adult.

That once again rile him up and we do another round of chasing each other. But after both of us tired our self out, we finally sit down with a huff again ready to inhale food.

And we did just that. So after our very heavy lunch, we just chill around for a while and after that set up a camp fire and again sit around there. And my friends this is where I feel asleep cause when its night and we do nothing, sleep is an inevitable thing. So I peacefully sleep leaning on dad and with the confidence that I would be delivered home and will wake up in my bed peacefully.

And yes finally I remember, we were suppose to go hiking and eat barbecue. What a shame, I just remember now. Eh, I'll do it next time; no worries. And with that in my mind I fall into a deep and peaceful slumber. And believe it or not even my dreams were sweet and beautiful.