Page 134 - e Majalah Nawarean 2023/24

“Papa, I’m married!” she screamed with pure joy. She’s an adult now, and

she’s already married. She was marrying a man a dozen years older than her.

I wanted to object, as I had a man in mind to marry her. I went so far as to

arrange a date between them – but she never went. I couldn’t force her,

lecture her, or persuade her anymore. She’s free, frivolous, and she loves it,

so why is she married to a man so much older than her? Won’t he just hold

her back from living her full life? Oh, who am I fooling, she loves him with all

her soul. Her eyes light up whenever he’s mentioned. She’s delighted every

time somebody asks her to talk about him. I can’t do anything about it – and

so I won’t. She’s happy, isn’t she? That’s all that matters. It is my

responsibility after all, and only mine. I properly sat down and talked with

her husband – and boy, I should’ve never doubted him. “You better start

exercising, I don’t want you holding Anna back from living her best life. She

loves nature, you know?” I said with a stern, yet joking tone, as I knew he

wouldn’t hold her back at all. “I’ll start with cardio, I almost died the last time

I went camping with her.” he joked – and I laughed.

“I love you, papa,” she whispered, in a sad manner. I am on my deathbed. I

guess all that cigarette smoking caught up with me. As much as I want to

reflect on my life during my last moments, I don’t need to. My life is already

here, holding my hand while carrying a baby in her belly. “Don’t cry, okay?

It’s bad for the baby.” I said. “Okay papa,” she replied, while wiping away her

tears. “See why I didn’t let you smoke?” I joked – and she laughed. Over her

shoulders, comforting her is her husband, Mark. The same one from a decade

ago. “Mark, come here.” I beckoned. She chose someone special, and I’m glad

I didn’t object. “Remember that bet we had?” “Yeah, guess you’re kicking the

bucket before I do.” he still had that likable sense of humour, even after a

decade. “Ha, you better take care of her, you hear me?” “Aye.” he replied. It

was my responsibility
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