LIVING A LIE

Living a lie

Being brought up by a single father feels good but sometimes strange! You'd wonder why your mother left you all alone and just walked away. At that time you would believe all your father would tell you since you don't know what really happened.

You may somehow land on something that would seem like the truth but some things would remain hidden till the right time!

And that's what happened to Maya, a young beautiful and sexy girl who treasured her father, Zalvin like no other. Zalvin used to tell his daughter stories whenever he was in good mood and Maya used to believe him.

He could tell her how her mother left them the same night she was born saying that ,"this is the result of our mistake", referring to Maya who was some minutes old back then.

Sometimes Maya would wonder how heartless her mom was to abandon a small child without a strong reason. She believed that no woman would ever neglect her sweet child no matter the situation!

This feeling could summon a lot of questions in her mind as she tried to figure out what could've compelled her mother to take such a hurtful decision and never looked back..

Her soft fragile heart could break into a thousand pieces every time she recalled what her dad said (that story). To make things worse, Zalvin stopped her from celebrating her birthdays, pretending that it would make him recall what happened.

As they say that time heals all wounds, her father later let go of his past and he was like, "Maya dear, what plans do you have for your birthday. It's tomorrow, isn't it?"

Maya who was not familiar with these kind of jokes felt like ignoring him since she thought that no matter what, there would never be a day she would rejoice in the name of celebrating her birthday!

"Maya. You can talk to me."Zalvin said, bringing her senses back. Of course Maya couldn't believe what she just heard. A sigh soon escaped her lips, " of all things why did he choose to crack jokes about my birthday!"

Looking seemingly disturbed, she stood up. It looked like she wanted to move away. "Would you still walk away if I told you that I'm serious." Her dad's voice spoke from behind.

Turning excitedly, she gazed at her dad with unsatisfied eyes. It had always been her wish to celebrate her birthday like others. She was fade up with listening stories that her friends would say about their birthday parties!

"I hope you aren't kidding me, Dad!"she said softly.

"Kidding! Why would I." That was the statement which brought butterflies in her stomach. She felt so wanted to hear him say it again and again!

Her mouth fell open but no words came out.

"This is a dream! I never knew I would ever daydream!"she sighed softly.

"You don't look happy about my decision. Don't you want to celebrate your day tomorrow or you've totally forgotten about it all?"

Now all the butterflies were quiet, and the urge to hug her dad was too much. Something sweet was twinkling in her ears. "I would like to.... but you see you don't..."she couldn't bring herself to complete it since she never wanted to remind him of the past.

She didn't want this chance to slip out of her hands. "You're right dear, I never liked the day you were born. It's not that I don't like you at all... It's only because of what happened that same night! I lost the love of my life and the only woman for me, my soulmate!

Perhaps it's the reason why I became so mean and a bad father who would stop his child from enjoying her birthday like others just because of his strange reasons.

But I promise you that henceforth I will always put you first and I will give you all the love that you really deserve.

Let it be making your wishes come true!"he assured her.

"What are you saying father? You've always been the best father in the entire world and you'll always be one. I've never questioned your actions and decisions because I know you only wish the best for me.

I know why we never celebrated my birthday and you shouldn't call that strange of you because it's okay.

Yes, years ago I used to feel bad whenever my friends would tell me about their birthdays, how they enjoyed and what not. I felt bad because I was still a small girl back then but not anymore.

Look at me... I'm now a grown up girl.

I'm turning twenty years tomorrow remember."she pointed.

"I'm so happy that you can now read and understand my decisions even without my explanation. Go to sleep now, okay?"

"Okay Dad, good night!" Due to so much excitement, a smile on her face refused to fade away!

"Good night child "Zalvin smiled radiantly as he placed a kiss on Maya's forehead.

Feeling overjoyed, she ran straight to her room. She was feeling like she was on cloud nine.

Everything around her looked so different and pretty.

She couldn't stop bobbing but she later fell on her bed, so tired like a helpless cat, feeling exhausted that she instantly fell asleep!

In the middle of her sleep, someone whose face wasn't clearly shown to her was trying to stop her from celebrating her birthday. She was fighting this feeling when her dad entered the room to wake her up as it was already midnight.

It wasn't her first time dreaming about this person but this time....all seemed real. It felt like it really happened!

"You're awake, how come!" Zalvin who had come to surprise his daughter ended up being surprised when he found her seated on the bed.

He expected to find her in deep sleep.

"Why do you look astounded. I'm fine. I just woke up when I heard your footsteps, that's why."she lied though she wasn't that good at it.

"You look pale. Is everything fine?"

"Of course Dad. Everything is fine."she lied. She didn't want to ruin his great mood because she had never seen him so happy like that before. That's why she lied and faked a smile that lasted for a second.

"Alright then. Let's go downstairs. I need to show you something." Maya who was both excited for her birthday and confused about the dream couldn't resist her father but to go downstairs with him.

"Could you please shut your eyes."Zalvin said before taking Maya's hand and helped her walk down the stairs. "What a great moment!

Popping sounds welcomed them the moment they stepped in the living room.

"Happy birthday to you *2. Happy birthday dear Maya."different voices were singing for her. Now she wanted to open her eyes but little did she know that her father's hand couldn't leave her face.

"Wow. This really feels like my long time dream! Thank you Lord."she breathed with so much excitement. The desire to open her eyes became to much to hold.

"May I open my eyes now, Dad."

"Of course you can open them." His voice was coming behind the walls of his bedroom. "Strange! When did he reach there?"she wondered more when she realized she was in the dark.

She felt like screaming and then thought that it was also part of the surprise.

Taking some steps backwards with her heart in her mouth, she breathed with relief when the room lightened up with colourful decorations.

""The decorations are amazingly beautiful. The room feels like heaven for sure." Before Zalvin could react to his daughter's praises, he was surprised to see her break in tears."

"Hey drama queen! Stop crying otherwise I'll think that you haven't liked my surprise."

"I love you Dad. Thank you so much. But when did you all this?"

"Magic, you know!"he chuckled.

"This is really magic. You're the best father in the world. But...."

"What is it dear."

"Where are the people who were singing for me. I don't see anyone accept you."

"Ahh..... they went. They have gone. I only paid them to sing for you."

"But they could've waited."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd like their performance. Anyway let it be, just cut your cake... and don't forget to make a wish."

Everything went smoothly as planned. Maya couldn't wait to see what the next sunrise would bring for her. "I'm sure tomorrow is going to be fantabulous!

Walking inside her room, Maya felt like she was being watched. The smiling face that she had changed suddenly. Different expressions on her face caused an uncomfortable environment for her.

"Who's it?" Wait! Was she acting to be brave? She hoped she was imagining things.

She wanted to ignore the feeling but then thoughts about the dream summoned back in her mind. "Who's this person. And what does he want from me."she tried to bring the issue on the table but still couldn't get to understand anything.

She turned back and forth looking for sleep but couldn't find it. "I think I should tell Dad about this dream. I don't think it's just a dream anyway."she thought. "No, I shouldn't disturb him. I'm sure he's asleep already."

It was then when she closed her eyes and pretended to be sleeping. Silence reigned the room for some time before a voice spoke from within. "Why are you cold-shouldering me. I remember I asked you not to celebrate but it's like you took my warning for granted.

Do you think it was only a dream. Of course it wasn't. I'm doing all this for your own good. I just don't want history to repeat itself."the voice said before the room felt usual again.

"This wasn't a dream, right. I was awake. But why am I sweating like this. Who's she. Why is she concerned about me anyway. What history was she talking about. Why did she have to bring all this up on my birthday. I must talk to Dad." This time she was determined to share everything with Zalvin. It was difficult for her to stop shivering.

As soon as she stood up, the door locked itself followed by a man's voice this time, "where do you think you're going. I'm sorry but I can't let you do this. Do you know why, it's because destiny has already decided and no one can stop that.

Yes, you can delay it but one thing I know for sure is that you won't be able to stop it.

What was meant to be will finally be no matter what. And let no one stop you from enjoying your birthday to your fullest today."

"A man's voice too! What's happening with me. First it was a woman who doesn't want me to go anywhere. And now, it's a man who wants me to enjoy my day. What do I do now. Whom should I listen to?"

All that left her lost in fear that even a touch of her own clothes, scared her. "Who are these people and what do they want from me. Could they be the reason why Dad restricted me from celebrating my birthday for the past nineteen years?"she wondered.

She really couldn't bring herself together to fall asleep. She kept hiding in her bedcovers till she heard her dad calling.

Sliding out of the bed like a scared cat, she ran straight to him. "Are you okay dear?" He asked after noticing a change in his daughter's way of hugging.

"No! I....."she felt she wanted to say something but she remembered the man's warning.

He had warned her not to tell anything to her dad or else the consequences would be bad.

" How can I tell you that something is bothering me dad. I wish I could share this with you but I'm scared of the consequences. I have to pretend like I'm fine even when I'm not! I'm sorry Dad, I'm keeping quiet today for your sake."