INNOCENT ADVENTURE

CHAPTER TWO

I hurriedly rushed to my closet. For some reason, I thought to check my savings first. I got the key to my piggy bank, searched blindly for the piggy bank I was hiding in the dark corner of the floor of my closet with my right hand.

As soon as I found it, I rushed to the desk in my room, opened the piggy bank, emptied it and counted the money.

I looked at the money spread out in front of me and knew it won't get me both a train and a plane ticket or even just one ticket the entire way. ‘What do I do?’ I thought to myself.

I should ask dad to help. He might not be happy that I want to leave but he won’t stop me that I know he definitely wants the best for me. The only person I need to worry about is mother. It's not like she’ll miss me or that she cared; all she will worry about is who will do all the house chores and the cooking because she doesn't exactly enjoy doing it. Mother is a very traditional woman so her traditional pride won't let her leave it to dad either though he wouldn't really mind. But that's not all. Only mother knows where her eldest children are and she refuses to let anyone else have their addresses.

I got up from my desk and paced back and forth in my room. I needed to find a way out. Gwen is my only ticket out of this house and this town and maybe even a ticket to a bright future. I sat on the bed and looked at the clock sitting on my desk; ‘sigh – time to prepare dinner’.

I dragged my long legs out of my room and down to the kitchen. On my way down, I saw mother fixedly watching the television. It only means one thing; Dad's not at home. This is his favourite time to be in front of the television. ‘ I hope dad returns home before dinner’, I unconsciously and silently prayed.

By the time I finished making dinner, the front door opened and dad came in. I whispered a silent 'thank you’ to the universe. By this time, I had decided on what to do but the minute dad walked into the kitchen to check on dinner, I couldn’t help blurt out

“Dad, I want to go to the big city!” and clumped my mouth shut immediately. I had thought I would sit him down after dinner and after mother had gone to their room and tell him. 'Now what?' He stopped and looked at me; it felt like eternity had passed before he resumed his stroll to the sink where he washed his hands. When he was done washing and wiping, he again looked at me briefly and went to get the plates. He again strolled to where I stood and asked in a voice that sounded low and sad,

“Why?”

Hearing the sadness in his voice broke my heart. I lowered my eyes to escape his sad ones and regretted not thinking of a much better way to tell him. From where my eyes were looking, I saw his index finger reach underneath my chin, he gently lifted my head so my eyes were looking directly into his again. Though he didn't repeat his question, I could read it in his eyes and again I blurted out

“ I want to leave”.

I closed my eyes anticipating a rebuke but before I could open my eyes and look at what was keeping it, he hugged me. We stayed that way for a while before he pulled away and patted my head, went back to the plates and said,

“Let's have dinner”.

I was stunned and worried. That was not the reaction I'd expected. I wished for a positive answer but this didn't give off the feeling of a positive answer.

Dad helped me lay the table, I went to the living area and called mother and sat down to eat.

This dinner was the most torturous I've ever had.

Mother was really quiet (nothing unusual about that, unless she had something to really talk about). Dad was also very quiet which is very unusual of him; he’s quite the chatter box, always trying to start a conversation and lighten up the place. I on the other hand didn't know what to do. I kept my eyes on my food afraid to say anything that could jinx everything.

Dad helped me clear the table and to do the dishes when we were done. I was so anxious and was hoping he would comment about the thing I blurted out earlier but his lips were tightly sealed, he did not say a word. This was again very unusual as this was one of our many father daughter binding moments where he tries to get me to tell him about my day. After washing the dishes, Dad left to the living area where the television is and I proceeded to clean the kitchen. The moment he stepped out, I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.

I went back up to my room after I was done in the kitchen and plopped down beside my bed clutching my knees to my chest. Dad’s reaction has really saddened me but it is not making me feel sad for wanting to leave. I don't know what dad might be thinking due to his silence but I do hope it isn't anything bad. I love dad so much and I know he’ll be sad to not have his little princess around anymore but I'm not little anymore and I still want to leave my boring and restricted life here in this house and away from this town.

There's nothing wrong with this little town. It is a beautiful little town all year round and during Christmas, it is just the place you’d like to be; like the beautiful ones you’d often see in a Hallmark Christmas Romance movie. It doesn't have big businesses with luxurious sky rise buildings. The architecture here are historical, a place that tourists would often visit. But to me, this was not where, I wanted to be. I wanted to experience some adventure and I know I won't get it here. Not with my dad's overly protective and loving nature and mother’s ... (how do I even put it) “hard love” (as dad likes to describe it), only protective but at an arm's length nature. I want to go out and be free. Even though I could easily choose from the many much more developed towns or the city but nope, I wanted the big city and its all because of the stories Gwen would tell about the place when she used to visit and even some times dad when I asked him; he knew a lot of places in his cargo truck driving days.

Suddenly, I heard mother shout a sharp

“No!”

which sounded like Mum's voice and immediately realised they were having another argument. I went to my desk for my headphones covered my ears, played music at the highest volume and laid on my bed. I closed my eyes and before long, fell sound asleep with the headphones still attached but definitely didn't say there through the night.

The next morning, I woke up early and went down to start my day after brushing my teeth. I went about cleaning inside the house, the back side to the front side, picked up the newspaper and went back inside. I placed the newspaper on the dining table where Dad will read it while he has his breakfast. I then went to the living area. I like to clean that particular area after everywhere else because I could play music, sing and dance to my heart's content but not disturb the rest of the house while I cleaned. I went in, headed directly for the heavy curtains and pulled them open. As soon the risen sun shone its bright rays into the room, a loud groan sounded behind me greatly startling me. I sharply turned around using my duster and broom as my weapon ready to attack whatever it is only to find dad angrily blocking the rays with his outstretched arm. I sighed, calming down and greeted

“Good Morning Dad. Sorry I woke you up. I didn’t know you were in here” I started closing up the curtains,

“ I'll come back to clean later” I said trying to hurry my actions up. As I was heading out, he said in a low sleepy voice

“it's ok. I’ll leave so you can clean up” he stood up, walked past me and headed for the stairs. I stood right where I was feeling guilty. I don't know if it was because I rudely woke my dad up or if it because he didn’t rub my head and ask how I'm doing like he usually would? Have I finally managed to make dad mad? But that was a very difficult thing to do. ‘Oh Em, what are you ever going to do? Now he certainly won't let you go’, I mourned the demise of my freedom and adventure. I sat on the couch and held my head.

After a while I got up unenthusiastically, opened the curtains and lazily cleaned up.

I headed back up to my room and without second thoughts, I went straight to my bed and coiled up. I stayed in that position for a very long while before dragging my feet to the bathroom and took a cold shower. I would have usually preferred warm water on a normal day but today is just not one of them. I wore a pair of jeans and a t-shirt; my everyday pair of clothing. I feel skirts and dresses make me look longer but a pair of trousers won't and my choice of clothes keeps unnecessary attention away. Or so I think.

I went back down stairs and to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I decided on Banana pancakes today so I got right into it. Mum came down while I was making breakfast and silently went to the coffee maker.

“Good morning, mother.”...

“Good Morning, Em. How're you?” I paused, so shocked! My silence must have drawn her attention;

“Em, did you hear me?”

“Yes mother. I’m doing well; thanks for asking.” I quickly replied.

She turned looked at me for a while and left with two mugs of hot coffee. I sighed and finished making breakfast. When I went to set the table, mother and dad were already at the table drinking the coffee mother had brewed. I laid the table and joined them. Again, we all ate our breakfast in complete silence but for the sounds made by the utensils; each of us with our own thoughts. I know what I'm thinking about; quite a lot of things actually. But I am in the dark as to what my parents are thinking.

In times like this I wish I could speak with Gwen but I don't have a phone neither do I a way to communicate with her; only mother does just like Gwen’s whereabouts. It really sucks to be an “only child”. You don't have anyone your age and with your level of understanding to vent to. Sadly, I don't have friends to share with either. I looked at the rest of my breakfast and lost appetite.

“Can I please be excused from the table? I’ll come and pack up when you're done.” I said still looking at my plate not wanting to meet their eyes.

“Why?”

“Sure”

Mother and dad asked and replied at the same time. I slowly looked at mother while trying to come up with a lie to reply her. I quickly grabbed my tummy and feigned a 'pain filled’ face.

“I don't feel very well. My tummy hurts” I lied.

“Should we be worried that your tummy is aching while eating the breakfast you made?,” mother replied. At this point, I have no idea what to do...

“Let her go and rest Ro.” Dad told mother and turned to me. “get something for that tummy ache and rest up. I'll clear the table when we finish, don't worry.” Dad continued with barely a glance at me.

“But Nolan...” – mother started.

“It’s ok” Dad cut in.

I slowly picked up the rest of my breakfast and went in the direction of the kitchen. I had to be careful so I don't get caught. I quickly washed my plates, rushed up to my room and laid on the bed staring at the ceiling.

‘This scene looks quite familiar doesn't it?’...sigh

I don’t know how much time has passed with me in the same position but a knock on my door brought me back to my senses. I sat up and replied,

“Come in, it’s open”

The door opened and dad walked in and sat at the edge of the bed facing me.

“How’re you feeling now Emerald?” Dad asked

“Much better” I replied

“Better enough to go on some errands with me?” he asked again

“Yes!” I almost shouted, then I remembered I was supposed to be ‘unwell’. I calmed down and repeated almost silently

“Yes, Dad”

The hint of surprise slowly broke into a soft knowing smile. He got up and headed back toward the door.

“Get changed then, I'll wait for you downstairs.” He said while closing the door behind him.

I rushed to my closet to change; I already had on a pair of jeans so I only changed my t-shirt and wore a pair of sneakers. I dashed our of my room, down the stairs and right out the front door. I was so excited without really knowing what was so exciting today about doing errands with dad that I forgot about the pending tension between dad and I since last night and I didn't think it would affect our car ride.

Dad sat at the driver's seat and I sat beside him in the passengers seat. Dad thought me how to drive but I didn’t have a license because mother was so against it. She felt “it is not traditional for a girl to drive”. He started the car and drove out of the driveway towards the heart of the town. There was total silence for quite a while before Dad coughed one of his fake coughs and I felt the hair behind my neck stand.

“So, the big city huh?” Dad asked with his eyes still on the road.

I suddenly coughed (for real) from my saliva going down the wrong hole. Dad handed me a bottle of water he had brought with him. I gulped it down and muttered a ‘thank you’.

“Yes.” I said looking everywhere else but dad after returning the rest of the water.

“Mm?” dad inquired.

“it's the answer to your question earlier before the cough.” I explained

“oh, yh yh. I almost forgot about that.” Said dad. “but why the big city though? You could have chosen much more closer options or something. You could go to nearby towns or even the city which is just a train ride away but the big city?why do you really want to go to the big city? Is it because of Gwen?”

“Hmm...” I sighed. ‘I know I can't lie to Dad no matter what? But what if the truth hurts him?’

“ I want to experience the world out there. I have spent all my life in this town. I want to see what is out there for me. And also I want to see Gwen. It's been so long and I miss her very much.” I said looking down onto my lap, tears threatening to fall.

I continued “ I know you would prefer to have me stay here with you and I wish I wanted that too but I want to be selfish this once and do this for me. And I know mother doesn't really care if...”

“ That's not true. Your mother loves and cares for you as a mother should. Hers is more of a tough love kinda love. But she truly cares about you” dad cut in without letting me finish.

“B-but...” I started

“If she didn’t care about you, why then are we getting you new clothes? Hm?” dad cut in again, raising his brows at the end.

I raised my head and realised we had stopped at one of the clothing shops in town. 'That was fast'. I looked back at dad and asked confusingly,

“But why? My clothes are perfectly fine.” I said confusedly

“You don't want to go to the big city with your old clothes, do you? All you ever wear are jeans and t-shirts. You need to look the part.” Dad replied

My face immediately shone.

“You and mother agreed to let me go?!” I asked in surprise and excitement.

“Yes, we did. It wasn't quite easy in the beginning. We argued about it all night yesterday and she only agreed this morning.” He said with no sadness

I lowered my head. “So that was what the argument was about”

“You didn't hear? I thought you did.” Said dad

“ No, I didn’t hear much. I usually cover my ears with headphones and listened to loud music when you started. You argued with mother because of me?” I replied

“Oh... Which patents don't? Sigh. Ok, let’s go in.” Dad said again.

We got down from the car and went into the dress shop where dad sat at the reception and allowed the attendant help me choose some clothes. She suggested I get some girly girl dresses but I still got a couple of jeans and a few t-shirts. I tried the dresses but didn't like how they exposed my bear long legs but the attendant said 'that's what beautiful young girls wear these days. Though I don't consider myself a trend following girl, I took them anyways. I’m going to the big city after all.

The attendant packed up the new dresses and gave them to me while dad paid to the cashier. We thanked them, went back to the car and drove off. We went next to the shoes shop, got me a few pairs of shoes. Afterwards, we did a few rounds getting a things for the house, some things for Dad’s ‘home mechanic shop’ (he has been fixing this one old car all of my life). We drove back home with a bunch shopping bag single sofa facing the lover’s seat that they sat on. Without wasting much time, dad started

“As you already know, your mother and I have decided to let you go to the big city.”