Parallel Worlds

Chapter Two: The Rvelation

Chapter Two: The Revelation

Evan's P.O.V

I SNIFFED and enjoyed the scent, relishing the mix of gloomy and bright weather today. Unlike other days dominated by rain, the sun seemed to be out. "You seem so happy and early this morning," I heard Pa Albert say as I walked towards him in our small kitchen.

He stood by the cabinet where we stored our hunting gear. Drawing nearer, I replied, "The weather is perfect for hearing one of your stories." He grinned and ran his hands over my back, and I assisted him in sharpening the dagger. Despite being old, he was still nimble, a quality I admired. Apart from May, he was my favorite person. Well, I didn't really have anyone else. Chuckling, I continued honing the blade. "Hey, Old Man. Don't sly me today," I called out as he was prepared to leave the room. He chuckled and replied to me, "Silly, I won't do that today." I smiled and nodded in agreement. "Finish up and come meet me at the balcony," he said, waved his wrinkled hand, and left the room.

While sharpening the dagger, memories of how silly I was during our first hunting trip. I had begged to follow him that night. I was 9, I think. He had always known me to be fearless and daring. Sometimes I wonder if that part of me amused him. I took his small dagger and ran to him that day and promised not to leave his sight during the hunt. But when we got to the forest, I disobeyed him at the sight of an antelope which I killed.

Returning home, I saw a mix of fear and anger in his eyes. Yet, he didn't express his anger. Instead, he calmly took me back home, cautioning me about the dangers of the forest. Later, he commended me and taught me the proper way to hunt. What a memorable day it was!

The dagger was sharpened enough, so I stopped and hung it on the cabinet and rushed to the balcony. I should get there soon before he changes his mind. We both enjoyed sitting on the balcony every night, especially when the light was out to see a wide range of views of the city. We would talk late at night, and he would share stories, experiences, and how he ended up alone. I cherished those nights.

When I got to the balcony, I met him already seated on the wooden stool I made a few weeks ago. I sat on a stool next to him, and he held my cheeks and said, “my son," He looked at the sun which was already setting towards the east side. "This isn't my regular story, it has to deal with you,” he paused and continued, "I want you to pay rapt attention," Woah! This was more serious than I thought. He looked serious too. I faced him and gave it my attention. If Pa Albert said he needed my attention on something, he was always right.

“That night, I had gone to hunt," he started, making sure I was fully engaged before he continued, “It was about to rain too, I wanted to finish quickly, so I could return home, because I had no idea how long it was going to rain.” Pa Albert had never shared his story about hunting; they were all moonlight tales or cooked-up stories to make me learn something.

Tonight felt different, and particularly when he said it had to deal with me, what could he mean? Curiosity caught me up, which made me pay rapt attention to the story he had to tell me. My eyes were fixated on him and I could sense he noticed my rapt attention, so he continued.

“Luckily for me, I had killed an antelope that day before the rain sent signals,” he continued, and I wondered where he was heading. “I was about to leave the forest when I heard a baby cry. I thought it was a grass cutter; I looked back and followed the sound and realized that it was a baby boy,” he said and paused. A boy? Wait! Was that me? Although I had these questions swirling in my mind, I wanted him to finish his story.

“I looked around and saw his eyes; they were emerald and shining brightly," he continued and paused again, like he was expecting me to ask questions. “My eyes are emerald. Was that me?” I couldn't hold it any longer, I asked, my eyes wobbly with shaky hands. I was never bothered about my parents; Pa Albert made me feel safe all my life. It was always me and him.

There were days I wanted to ask, but I stopped because I was afraid to trigger a bad memory of his and believed he would tell me one day. I hadn't thought it was this way. He took my left hand and showed me the mark on my wrist inscribed as ‘E’ in italics, “I saw this mark and knew instantly that you were no ordinary child," he said, and dropped my hand. “No ordinary child? What do you mean?," I asked curiously, “You're a special child, Evans. That was why I named you Evans because of the lettered mark on your wrist," he replied, looking into my eyes.

I had always felt connected to the mark and wondered what it stands for. I thought Grandpa made it. I looked down and was confused for a long while. “It's been 21 years, why are you just telling me?" I asked, as I raised my head expecting an answer.

“You wouldn't understand, and you were a happy child," he replied to me, and I sort of understood his nature. The news didn't make me love him less; I just wondered what happened to my parents and why I was left in the bush. But I didn't say anything to Pa Albert; I just kept mute. We were still talking when we heard someone scream my name from downstairs. May. That's so like her.

"Oh right, we were supposed to go swimming today. I completely forgot," I exclaimed to Pa Albert, who raised an eyebrow, perhaps surprised by my nonchalant reaction to his revelation.

"It's okay, Grandpa. I understand why you kept it from me. Thank you for taking care of me all these years," I reassured him, grasping his hands. He tenderly caressed my cheeks, murmuring, "My boy is all grown up." I smiled in return. "I need to go now. I don't want May to come up here and cause a scene. Don't worry about me; I'm fine," I said, rushing downstairs and waving goodbye.