THE DREAM

M

ZURI

“Get out! I can’t believe I gave birth to you. How can you be this stupid?” With tears rolling down her eyes, Zuri stood perplexed. She couldn’t believe her father would be this mean. Somewhere in her mind she feels he is just plain stupid but he gave birth to her and at least he stayed unlike her mom who bailed out on her. She thought her father would be supportive like he always has.

“Why does he act strange? He has always been loving and caring”. She ran through the numbers in her head but nothing made sense. “But Daddy…” she stammered. “Don’t daddy me, Zuri don’t daddy me” he replied in a startling tone leaving her speechless. ‘This is not my daddy. It must be his twin or clone’ she thought.

“Don’t stand there, I said get out of this room” his voice came peering into her ears, interrupting her thoughts. She slowly walked out of the sitting room not knowing if she was to cry, scream or stay silent. She walked into the kitchen picking up a bottle of juice and a glass cup before heading to her room. Pouring the juice into the cup she took few sips then buried her head in her pillow wetting it with her tears before slowly drifting off to sleep.

“Zuri wake up breakfast is ready!” her dad called standing over her bed with some sandwich. Lazily waking up, she reluctantly opened her eyes giving him a surprise look. “What’s wrong baby?” he inquired. “Aren’t you angry with me anymore?” she asked. “Angry?” he was surprised

“Yes daddy, angry. You walked me out of the sitting room yesterday night and as I walked away, I overheard you saying you don’t want to talk to me ever again” she said through her sobs. Sitting down by the side of the bed, he put his arm around her shoulders and said, “I will do no such thing baby, it must have been a nightmare.

But daddy… it felt real”

“We had no quarrel yesterday and nothing you do will make me shut you out my angel. You’re all I have and I cherish you. Zuri daddy loves you” he assured her.

“Now get up and eat your sandwich and get ready we are seeing a movie this evening” his voice entered her ears as he walked out of her room.

‘Phew! It was a dream’ she muttered wiping the cold sweat on her forehead as she got up to eat.