4. ECHOES

I looked at my Mom with a hesitated expression on my face.

"Well...he is nice." I said, trying to avoid looking at her.

"I know that, just don't come back pregnant." My Mom said.

I looked at her for a few seconds and then both of us start laughing.

"Mom, is something going on with you? You really look very happy nowadays." I asked, playing with my fork.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her cheeks flushing pink.

"Hmm, your skin is glowing, you have been smiling a lot and right now, you are totally blushing." I said, looking at her.

She gets up from the chair and ask me to follow her.

While washing the plates, she said, "Remember the dating app you told me about, I have been talking to someone with that. He seems really nice, he is younger to me than seven years though...he is twenty-nine. And tomorrow we are going on a date."

"Wow, Mom that's amazing. I am so happy for you, and you totally deserve this." I said, clapping my hands in excitement and then I hugged her.

My Mom chuckled as she hugged me back tightly.

"Well, thank you. So, what do you want for your birthday?" She asked.

"I got what I wanted, you happy." I said.

"You are my best gift ever." She said and kissed my forehead.

"Thanks mom, I need to sleep early, good night." She said.

I walked upstairs to my bedroom, and closing the door lied on my bed, waiting for tomorrow.

I am feeling quite nervous actually, seeing him after such a long time is definitely gonna bring a lot of memories. That's when my phone rang and it was Jake. I picked up.

"Hi babe, how you feeling? Please don't go into that over-thinking mood of yours." He said, sounding really worried.

"How come you always know about everything?" I asked, really glad to hear his voice.

"We have known each other half of our lives babe, and you have always been that girl who was special to me." He said.

"You have always been special to me too. It's gonna be a long night." I said.

"No, it's not, I am right here until you close your eyes." He said.

"I will fall in love with you." I said, with a slow smile.

"And I love you, very much, always had, always did and always will." He whispered.

I had tears in my eyes and I cleared my throat, "Jake, I love you too."

"Aww, babe, don't cry." He said.

And then we talked for long and I remember falling asleep.

I went downstairs after doing my daily routine work and saw Jake talking to my Mom, I immediately went to him and hugged him, and then hugged my Mom too. Jake took my bag and gave us some alone time.

"Have fun, I have always liked Jake. He is really nice and sweet." My Mom said.

"Thanks Mom and good luck for your date. And I am just a call away if you need me." I said and hugged her once more.

I settled down in the car and Jake started driving. We got his address from the previous letters my Mom had sent to him, a few years back, regarding the divorce.

"Thank you Jake for coming with me, I don't think I would have even think of doing this, without you." I said.

"No problem, let's see what happens when we arrive there. I don't think anything can go wrong. I mean from what you said, he seems like a nice guy." He said.

"Yeah, but people change, over years. And I don't want to have too much hope." I said, looking at the blue sky and the sun shining brightly.

We finally reached the small town, where my Dad had settled down, we kept our bags at the small guesthouse. And then asking for directions we finally reached the house, his house. I rang the doorbell and Jake hold my hand, and gently squeeze it.

The door opened and I immediately knew it was him. His brown eyes, were still the same.

We both looked at each other, surprised. We recognized each other immediately.

"Dad?" I whispered.

"Hannah? Is that you?" He said, completely surprised.

"Yeah, Hi Dad, it has been really long." I said.

After getting some tea, and basic formalities and introduction, Jake decided to excuse himself so that we can talk more privately.

"So, how you have been, Hannah? You just look like your Mom." He said.

"I have been alright, how do you think I will be without a father's love?" I asked, looking at my hands.

"I know but your mother didn't want me anywhere near you. And I wanted to help the people here." He said.

"Even if it meant leaving your wife and daughter alone in a big city. " I pointed out.

This definitely wasn't going the way I was expecting it to.

"I didn't want to leave you alone, Hannah. Does your Mom know about this? You coming here to meet me?" He asked.

"No, but she is a good mother, maybe not a good wife, but she is a great mother." I said, I could feel the tears threatening to come out, but I gritted my teeth in order to control my tears.

"Then why did you had to lie, if she is such a great mother." He asked.

I looked at him in surprise, and anger boiled inside me,

How could he say something something like this, when he had never been there for me.

"Look who is talking. WHAT MAKES YOU SO GREAT? DID YOU EVEN CARE TO WRITE TO ME? THEN WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SAY THOSE THINGS ABOUT MY MOM? I AM DONE HERE. NOW I AM HAPPY FOR THE DECISION MY MOM MADE? YOU ARE NOT WORTH OF BEING CALLED A FATHER? I-I am done, I don't ever want to see your face." I said, my tears falling and I stood up walking away.

I gave Jake one look and he understood that I wasn't feeling good, he hold my hand and helped me settle down in the car. I remained silent on the way back to the guesthouse. After driving for a max of thirty minutes we finally reached the place.

I took the key and ran away to my room's bathroom, not caring about the door, I turned on the shower.