chapter 5 : a father's love

Three years passed, and my life took a wonderfully positive turn. I felt so happy during these three years that at times, I questioned if I was in a dream. I couldn't have asked for more. While God took my parents away, He gave me the best replacement in the form of Mr. Lee, a truly kind man. It was difficult to determine if he was human or an angel. I also got to learn a lot about Mr. Lee, including his likes and dislikes. He treated me like his own daughter, making me feel like I truly belonged with them. He was both a mother and a father to me, and also a great friend. I could confide in him without any worries, as he was a very open-minded person.

Mr. Lee was about 53 years old, and he possessed a tall, strong, and exceptionally handsome appearance. Both Ethan and Ray inherited their good looks from Mr. Lee without a doubt. Children and flowers held a special place in Mr. Lee's heart. Whenever a flower withered away, you could see the sadness in his eyes. He consistently prioritised us-me, Ethan, and Ray-over his own needs. His love for me was genuine and profound; I'm convinced that even my own parents didn't love me as he did. He acted like a shield, protecting me from feeling sorrowful or alone.

Despite being a very busy individual, Mr Lee always made time for me whenever I required his presence. There was an instance when he turned down an important meeting simply because Ray informed him that I was feeling down. He willingly left everything behind and rushed to be by my side. He shared my tears and felt my joy just as deeply as I did. His emotions mirrored mine-he was happy when I was happy and sad when I was sad. Even my school friends, whose fathers possessed immense wealth, felt envious of me due to the exceptional fatherly figure that Mr Lee embodied. His warm-heartedness endeared him to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Imagining a life without him was something I couldn't fathom. Over those three years, I became deeply attached to him. We would often go out and embark on vacations, and whenever Mr. Lee was home, he would lovingly prepare our favorite breakfasts. He had a knack for surprising us with numerous gifts, all with the sole purpose of bringing smiles to our faces. His ultimate desire was to witness our happiness and well-being; he needed nothing more than that. His genuine concern for my welfare was evident - he cared about me deeply.

The thought of a life devoid of his presence was inconceivable. I had grown so attached that I couldn't bear the idea of it. I would have preferred facing death over living in a world without the guidance and warmth of Mr. Lee.

10th November, 2016

My life turned out to be harsh and unforgiving again. It seemed that everything I held dear was destined to vanish, leaving me powerless to protect the ones I cherished.

The Mr. Lee I cherished deeply, passed away right before my eyes. His frail body nearly collapsed onto mine. In those final moments, he spoke his last words:

"Don't cry. I know how strong my daughter is. Remember to eat and sleep on time. Don't burden yourself with excessive studying. sleep before midnight, okay? A-and I have a request.... in my next life, could you still be my beloved daughter? I love you, okay?"

The departure of the person I held closest was truly painful. The experience was full of agony as I grappled with his loss. The profound pain of his absence left me consumed by an intense sorrow that I couldn't escape. However, unlike before, this time I managed to carry on. I found the strength to keep living, and it was all in honor of Mr. Lee.

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