Chapter 5:"Pink Girl"
Disclaimer:Don't own Hey Arnold!
"Love, Arnoldo...love," she whispered, "They have given you their love, and you are always bonded because of that love. That's why even if they aren't here right now; you're always connected by the love in your hearts. Every kid can't live without love. Love is the cycle of life and it's never ending. Also, with that bond in our family, we are proud to be part of them and one day, who knows, you'll be in love with someone else. Too bad I don't have it..."
"What do you mean?" Arnold couldn't stop the usual questioning again.
"My parents don't exactly love me. Ha, that would totally be a joke if they ever did," she just stares blankly at the picture she was holding in her stoop. "I know what you're thinkin'- 'That's just plain crazy'...well, football head, it just is... and I'll never know why.'
He couldn't believe his ears. "Have you ever asked why?"
"LISTEN!!! Even if I stand there and try to ask one...just ONE stinking, mingle and harmless, question, do you know what happens? Do you know what they do?!?" She screams as she releases the pain out of her heavy chest. Just then, she turns to Arnold- who could only look so somber as he holds his ground. "They...they...they just ignore and don't listen. Bob usually says, "Get out of my way Olga. I'm gonna miss my Beeper commercial. And As for Miriam, she sleeps like a dog for hours and hours. Sure, my life is just peaches and cream," said whispered as she gritted her teeth in anger. Pausing and regaining a casual conversation, she continued as if Arnold wasn't there at all: "My family treated me that way ever since I was 4 years old and to this day, nothing's changed. Just nothing. Somehow, I can't help think of one thing that made me survive from the loneliness I had if my parents weren't around...sometimes, I could see it as a miracle but every time, I can only see myself thankful. It was so long ago that I remember this...the first day of pre-school. Well, I was excited to go somewhere other than being home. Oh god, it was like the greatest day in my life to see other people...kids who I can relate to, or maybe listen to my problems or even make friends with."
She sighed, "I was waiting in the kitchen for my dad to bring me to school, and least to my surprise, he and my mother were busy admiring my 'perfect' sister playing piano. So I reminded them over and over again that today was school and as you may not guess, Dad pushed me aside with, 'In a minute Olga." For the love of god, he doesn't even know my own name! What kind of father is that? I kept on telling him that I was late. Instead, without wasting my time with them, I left the house. It was raining really hard and I didn't really feel like to go back home. I just...well, wanted to be alone like I always was.
I was walking out of my instincts. The only thought that came to my head was, 'what have I done wrong for my parents to isolate me from their life? Or 'why can't they appreciate me just the way I am.' I really don't know but around that time, I had this aching feeling that it was all my fault. That I was not up to their standards of being a Pataki...like some kind of mistake to be sent to earth by some heavenly god or goddess up there.
I mean, nobody out there in the streets, not even a bum or stranger didn't even ask me, 'why are you walking by yourself?' or 'Where's your Mommy or Daddy'. It simply made me feel small...lonely...useless...just helpless. I've never felt like this before since I've always been a strong girl. But just walking to school and seeing the adults turn away from me; a family covered in a huge umbrella; a couple holding hands and saying how much they loved each other just made me regret of being in this world. For all I asked those heavenly people up there was hope and you know what, I just did, until-"
I came to you, "finished Arnold. He had a thoughtful smile in his face.
"What? H-how? You still remember?" Hardly to forget her frivolous thoughts, her mouth hung wide in awe.
That smile remained and he whispered, "Why would I? I mean that's the first time I met you. I don't think it's harmful to have memories of the Pink girl."
"Pink girl?"
He chuckled heartedly and continued, "Pink girl...I called you that when I saw you. Hmm...let's see. I remember that I was in my Grandpa's Packard. I don't know but that day my grandparents went to far among themselves!
My Grandma blindfolded my Grandpa and bet him that he wouldn't park right in front of my school. He agreed and had driven well, but he would usually knock a fire hydrant or two. Honestly, they went too far with their insanity, and I kept trying to unfold the cloth but Grandma blocked my way. I didn't even waste my time so I looked out the window to spare the time.
Something caught my attention one the pink girl...I couldn't see with the heavy rain however; I knew she was in pink and...wet...
"GRANDPA! Stop!!!" The miniscule Arnold shouted at the top of his lungs.
"What now Short man?" Grandpa asked as he nearly bumped into the car in front of him but I guess you can say the older, the wiser our elders are.
"There's a pink girl. She needs an umbwella! Stop pwease!" He pleaded.
"Aww...listen to that Pookie, it's seems like short man is in love," Grandpa told his wife.
"I'm NOT in wuv! The pink girl is really wet! Pwease stop the car...she might get a cwold," he insisted with more plead, "I don't want her sick." To his surprise, the car slowed down as they parked beside the 'pink girl'.
I came out and...and I said that I," said the pondering Arnold, "I like your bow because it's pink like your pants. Funny..I didn't expect to see the 'pink girl' to look that pretty."
"Pre-pretty?" Again, where were those cotton buds when you need them?
"If I knew more English, I would have elaborated to that. You were seemingly sweet...kind...and very shy. You still have the beauty in you. You just don't show it very so often as before," he said with appreciation.
Spending this moment with Arnold made Helga smile in satisfaction and somewhat relieved around him. It had never occurred to her that he still...well, remembered.
"Yeah...just when I saw you, I thought it was a miracle, or a messenger from heaven or just a sign of hope. Actually, I immediately thought of it all of the above," she slightly chuckled, "That compliment didn't just who I am, but my whole entire life."
She laid her head on the armrest to pause and regain her breath. Wistfully, she closed her eyes to continue on: "I mean, nobody in my life had said something so nice before. It was like I wasn't alone in this world anymore. And I had a chance to see the meaning of being in this world. Just when thought of losing hope, you appear out of nowhere. You may think I'm crazy. But the truth of the matter, when you said that to me, you gave me hope and you made me that much stronger."
She continued easily about her story pertaining to the past. "It was just a crush but I guess I wanted more attention since...well, I don't have that happenin' at home. Then, I fell in love. I've never thought of how love feels but it surely made me realize I am a 'real' person."
"It's my fault."
"W-what? No it's not," she exclaimed.
"I never took this seriously. I mean, you of all means, already told me this before but I never thought of it highly serious. It's just my fault," he shut his eyes angrily.
Helga gripped his shoulder, "It isn't your fault. Even if you may think so, it's actually all because of me."
Arnold acted as if he didn't hear her, "Of all people, I was also breaking your spirit down. Why must I be so dense?"
Helga kept her silence after what she unbelievably heard of Arnold. Why is her love blaming himself for all this time it was her fault? It just didn't make any sense.
"Don't you see Helga? No matter what you say about yourself, you are a person so unbelievable that even I have no words to describe who you are--- "
"Of course, there aren't any words! I'm nothing to be described after all," said Helga.
Arnold couldn't help but continue on, facing her eye-to-eye, "No matter what you think of yourself, I believe that you are smart and outstanding than any other normal 9 year old girl. Do you know why?" She nods in confusion. "Because I've heard you'd receive some incredible recognition from your intelligence."
"Yeah right! You're just makin' me feel better."
With a smile, he fumbled inside his pocket to retrieve a copy aptitude test that the 4th grade class took a month ago. Opening it, Mr. Simmon's handwriting clearly written- Helga G. Pataki's outstanding future. "So explain to me of having your test switched with Harold's fine and insuperable future?"
Speechless, her mouth left hanging with disbelief and written all over her face was How?"Comes to show you that you can't keep this secret forever, right? What happened was...
To be continued...