Going back home

"Miss Díaz, you have been transferred to the Washington DC branch. Orders from the higher ups". 

  My heart drops to my stomach in instant dread. Oh no.

   "Sir, is there nothing that can be done about it?"

   "Unfortunately, no. You have been a great addition to our team in this branch and I also hate to see you leave but nothing can be done". What could have caused this? I have been on my best behavior for the past two years. I even recently bagged a promotion last month and this? 

   To make this even worse, December is on it's way and this means I won't be around family for Christmas. I'm sure I can find a way to make it work but what about him? I might run into him if I relocate back there? 

   What if Hazel meets him accidentally? No I won't let that happen. I will do my best to keep her away from him. 

   "Okay sir. When do I have to resume?". His smile turns into a grim one at my question which causes a frown on mine.

   "Well, according to your transfer papers, you have to resume by Monday". My eyes widen in surprise.

   "Sir but today is Friday. How am I supposed to pack up and move to another country in less than a three days?".

   "I'm really sorry. I know this is inconvenient but it's not in my hands at all. The company will cover all your expenses including housing, feeding and your flight". 

   Something is definitely fishy. At first I thought I had pissed an authority head off and that's why I was being transferred but hearing that all my expenses are being paid for makes it sound like this person is also trying to help me. What's going on?

   "Sir that is not the issue. What about my child? Uprooting her from her environment is not healthy as her age. This is unfair". Sympathy is written all over his face.

   "I understand it. I am a father myself and I know that this is going to be hard. The company will try to make this as smooth as it can be for you". 

 Feeling defeated and knowing that nothing can be done about it, I accept my fate.

    "Okay sir. Is it okay if I take the rest of the day off to start packing?". 

   "Yes, no problem. Give my regards to your daughter". 

   "Yes sir. Have a good day". I stand up from the seat. 

   "Yes you too". As I step out of the office, my stomach fills with dread of the unknown. I pack up all my things from the office, bid my colleagues goodbye and head home. 

   After dropping off my stuff in my room, I start packing up my suitcase. A sense of deja vu hits me and I'm taken back to this scene two years ago. 

   Only this time, I'm preparing to go back against my will. Thankfully all I have to do is to pack Hazel's basic necessities and clothes. I don't have too much to pack for myself. 

   The clock strikes 3 so I stop tidying up the apartment and leave the house. I have to pick up Hazel from the day care. I start driving and in less than ten minutes I'm at the daycare. 

   The daycare is being run in a colorful bungalow by a middle aged woman. She has been the sweetest since I came to this neighborhood. 

   She started the daycare earlier this year which allowed me to be able to look for a job. She has really helped me in the last one year and she is like a mother to me now.

   I knock on the door twice and wait for it to be opened. After some time, the door swings open and there is Louisa holding a baby to her side with a huge smile on her face which I mirror. 

   "Hello love. Come on in". She waves me in and I close the door behind me. The living room is full of children's toys and there are about five toddlers playing in the living room. I bend down to greet each of them and spot Hazel wobbling towards me. An instant smile takes over my face as I pull her into my arms. 

   She showcases her two toothy smile in pleasure to see me. Her little green eyes light up. The same eyes that remind me so much of her father. 

   "Hello baby. Did you have fun today?". She bobs her head up and down in happiness. I kiss both her cheeks and give her another hug.

   "Princess give mummy few more minutes. I want to talk to aunty Louisa, okay?". She doesn't even reply to me before she runs off to where the other kids are. I shake my head and laugh.

   I stand up and go to Louisa who is feeding another child in her arms. 

  "Oh. Take a seat love". I sit on the seat in front of her. 

   "You really should get help around here". I have always told her to get help with the day care. The kids keep increasing and physically I doubt she can run after kids for seven hours a day. 

  "And I will continue to tell you that I don't need it. I've got it all under control". She wipes the kid's mouth and places him on the ground. 

   "You will never listen to me, will you?". 

"Never, nada. So why so early today? And you are even sitting with me". 

   "Well, I got news today. I'm being transferred to the American branch and I need to be there by Monday so today might be the last time you see Hazel and I until sometime later". I look down. 

   "Oh my! Why would they do something like that?"

   "I really don't know but the good part is that all my expenses will be taken care of so all I need to do is pack up."

   "Sorry love. Everything happens for a reason. You are going to be missed around here. I'm going to really miss my Hazel. She had better not forget about me or you will be receiving a spanking in the near future".

   "You don't even need to be bothered about that. We will video call you every weekend. I'm going to miss you a lot". I stand up and hug her tightly. 

   She has been a mother and sister figure to me and it really hurts to know that I'll not be seeing her for a long time. She pats my back and gives me a kiss on my forehead. 

  I bid her goodbye and pick Hazel. As we drive off, I bid her goodbye. 

  I hope everything goes well.