Lissa, Christian, Dimitri and I had been working hard at hiding a secret from Abe for the past week.
We were organising a private father's day celebration here, at court.
All of us had come to joint conclusion that our old man deserved a special treatment (not that it was any different anywhere, but we were acknowledging his efforts, for he had been there for all of us, helping us through hardships) and the surprise was to be unveiled today.
I was nearly ready, and looking for my favourite scarf to complete the look of the evening , when I accidentally caused a box to topple from my cupboard. Hitting the floor, it's lid opened, causing its contents to scatter around the room.
I was busy picking them up when something familiar caught my attention. Picking it up from beside by bean bag, I glanced at it, the younger me which looked up at me from the picture was happy but far different from me.
The memories flooded back and I sat down on the floor, smiling at the photograph as silent tears flowed down my cheeks
*flashback*
"Hey Liss, come here",
Said Rose from behind the pillar,
"What happened Rose? Why all the secrecy?"
Asked a curious Lissa.
"Sssssshhhhhh!! Wait and watch, keep your head low, no one should see us here, now."
Whispered Rose, being all mysterious and turned around to resume her spying.
"I still don't understand, what we are spying on, from here."
Spoke a confused Lissa after fifteen minutes of intense staring.
"Follow me."
Rose said, leading Lissa to her room.
As soon as Lissa entered, Rose locked the door behind her and urged her to seat herself.
"What happened Rose, is something wrong?"
Lissa asked, worried that something was gravely wrong.
"Remember, I told you that something was going on and we were being kept in the dark? Huh? Hmmmm? Do you recall?"
Said Rose seriously.
"Yes, I do. What happened? Is something wrong?"
Asked Lissa voicing her concerns.
"Well,... I found the reason behind it."
Replied Rose with a mischievous grin.
"How?"
Asked a dumbstruck Lissa.
"It wasn't so hard, I was just a bit alert around the place, paid attention to all that was going around and all that was being said around and deduced the mean result."
Stated Rose.
" Care to share? I'll love to know about it. "
Said Lissa, smiling at her best friend.
" Andre is planning to organize a party for your parents, the day after tomorrow. "
Informed Rose, and soon a grinning Lissa was jumping up and down her seat in excitement, squealing and yaay-ing around her room.
That evening the duo cornered Andre and he had him explain himself.
By the end of the evening, all three were aboard and Rose and Lissa decided to help Andre, put up a wonderful evening for their parents who were to return that day from a long business trip.
"What a beautiful organization! Fine arrangements!"
Rhea had exclaimed, at the sight of their hall decorated in a shade of gold and deep green.
"Great choice! Wonderfully done kids. It wasn't something we had expected at all, thus we thank you, for all of these."
Eric had stated with a big smile gracing his handsome face.
"We are proud of your thoughtfullnes, thank you, yet again. "
The elder dragomirs had spoken in unison. That evening Eric had announced that all his children would go for a picnic the next day, to which Andre and Lissa readily agreed, smiling from cheek to cheek.
It was in that moment Rose had realized that she thus wasn't included, she wasn't a Dragomir.
Seeing Lissa sitting on Eric's lap, Rose's wondered,
'what would it have been if even i had a father who loved me and thu cared for me?'
A dull ache, a longing was clear in her eyes, as she made way to the Dragomirs.
"Goodnight Rhea!!
Good night Eric!!
Night Andre!!
Night Liss!!"
She said, plastering a smile on her face, as she made way to her room.
The next morning, Lissa woke Rose up.
"Rose...
Rose, please help me choose what to wear? I just can't seem to decide one."
"Give me a minute Liss",
mumbled a sleepy Rose heading towards the bathroom.
"You look cute."
Commented Rose, an hour and a half later as the girls descended the stairs to meet the others.
"Why aren't you ready yet?"
Asked Lissa, sometime later, staring at Rose with a weird look of confusion on her face.
They were at the breakfast table having breakfast, when all heads around them shot up, at Lissa'words.
"What?"
Exclaimed Rhea!
"Why?"
Spoke Eric.
Andre only appeared confused at the ongoing discussion.
"Rose, dear we only have forty-five minutes, hurry up get ready fast otherwise we'll be late!"
Said Rhea affectionately.
"Lissa , honey go help Rose, and make sure you are ready in time."
"But you said... That...that.. "
Stuttered a shocked Rose, only to be interrupted by Eric.
"Dear, I had said that all, ALL... my children will go for a picnic, and why in heavens name would I exclude you honey, you are as good a daughter to me as Lissa is, and never doubt that, now off you girls go, hurry up. "
Eric's words had an adverse effect on Rose, the girls headed to Rose's room and only then did, Rose allow her tears to escape while Lissa comforted her.
"Hush, you knew it. Rose, you are my family, always have been."
Said Lissa trying to soothe her.
It was the first time that anyone had ever called Rose, their daughter and even so lovingly, that it had erased her ache and longing.
It was from that day that Rose accepted the fact that she was a part of the Dragomir family nonetheless.
Half an hour later, the girls headed towards the porch, giggling and laughing, hand in hand.
Little had they known that Andre had been hiding behind the door to surprise them but no sooner had he jumped out from behind the door than Rose had his head in a headlock, surprising the poor fellow.
"Calm down girl, it's only me."
Said Andre continuing his futile attempt to escape.
"Say cheese everybody. "
Miss Margaret, the house keeper, rounded the corner, with a camera in her hand, capturing the moment.
*End of flashback *
The smiling older Dragomirs are long gone and so is Andre, but this particular memory is still one of my favourites.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even felt Dimitri's presence until his arms wrapped around my waist and shoulders.
He didn't ask anything, only comforted me.
"Do you know comrade, he was the first father like figure, that I'd had in my life, only to lose him within months from that day."
"I understand, Roza, but I don't want you to be sad anymore."
He spoke softly in my ear.
"You should not be sad, that he's no more, but you should be grateful, for the fact that your ever had someone as good as him to look up at, in your life, and now, you have Abe."
"Always a master of zen, aren't you comrade?"
I spoke, teasing him, lightening the mood around us.
"Hurry up, milaya, I don't think Abe 'll be happy to wait any more than he already has."
He said.
"Oh, he'll live!"
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Hey guys here's the father's day special.
Looking for a good story, check out :
' Yesterday is history '
By TheCoffeeShopMuse.
I guarantee that you would not be disappointed.
Have an amazing day ahead!