ADOPTED

- “Yes, I’m lying to her, but only to see that smile on her face, she’s my little girl and can’t break her heart again! “

-“Look Samy,the girl’s got to know the truth ,if you won’t do it anytime soon, I will, so make up your mind!”

She heard everything as she was standing behind the door, her father & uncle Racheed didn’t notice when she sneaked inside. She started wondering what they were talking about; trying to figure out the truth she’s got to know.

At the sunset, she decided to go through her father’s documents, while he’s been too busy repairing an old jukebox with her uncle in the basement.

She knew he was keeping something confidential in his desk drawer, he’s always tended to shut the drawer hastily whenever she comes near his office, she could hear the noise of the lock even before she knocks that torn door.

She used to spend several minutes staring at herself in the mirror; she wasn’t too stupid to perceive how she looks nothing like her father, neither like her mother who died from a heart attack.

She has just turned 20 and she was feeling more than ready to unveil anything concerning her life, she had doubts and a thousand questions floating in her mind.

Anyway, that night was the night to find the untold, and disclose the case she believed was kept hidden from her, she needed to know, and deep inside her instinct was telling her she was going to find all the answers somewhere in that office, the drawer particularly.

She went upstairs walking silently, her heart was beating so fast, she felt like a burglar breaking into a house to steal a potential treasure, but she told herself that the treasure she’s seeking was the truth, and it’s been stolen from her, so she’s got the full right to have it back.

She entered the office, and surprisingly remarked that the drawer was left open, and so was the wardrobe against the wall, with nothing stored in them. Seems like someone got ahead of her to arrive there. Who did?

At first she thought it was her father himself who discharged everything before she got there, but why would he do such a thing knowing that it’d make him very suspicious?! “There must be someone else messing up with me!” she told herself.

Seconds later, she heard her father calling her from the living room:” Wissal! Come on baby, it’s dinner time!”

- “Alright dad, I’ll be down in a minute!” She answered.

When she joined them at the table, she felt strange for the first time in her life, she didn’t know why, but unlike the usual, she couldn’t taste the flavor of food, and couldn’t say a word when she’s always been making jokes and turn dinner time into her own one woman show. This time was different for sure, and her father did noticed.

As he was tucking her in, he gently asked her: “What’s wrong honey? You seemed very quiet during dinner tonight; even your uncle Racheed told me you looked pale and unusually depressed.”

-“Don’t worry dad, I’m fine, it’s just that I’ve got much homework to do these days, so I’m stressing out!”

-“Well dear, I hope it’s only a matter of time before you get back in the mood again. Don’t worry about homework, I’ll help you with whatever you don’t understand, good night sweety!”

-“Good night dad!”

Her father turned off the lights & left the room, that’s when she rolled onto her tummy and begun crying like a child, she was drowning in an ocean of anxieties,predictions,and solitude.

However, sleep was brave enough to save her from drowning and take her in a sailing boat to the land of dreams.

The next day, she was determined to confront her dad, and all of a sudden, when they were having breakfast, she stood up and yelled at her father: “Dad! Am I adopted?”

She knew she never got the guts to act that way, sometimes it’s hard to keep self-control when being under huge pressure, in her case, that unsettled matter was leading to an explosion.

She has thought a lot of how to react if her theory was affirmative, is she going to  blame her father or just keep calm & live with it? Is she going to suicide? Investigate about her real parents? Set the house on fire...

So many ideas were jumping here & there inside her head, some of them were crazy, I’d rather say: deadly.

Her father was shocked when he heard that question; it took him a few seconds before he answered, partly smiling: “Wissal, what are you talking about? I mean, how? …what the? You gotta be kidding me, right?”

-“Do I look like I am dad? Hell no, I’m damn serious! If there is anything you should tell me, better do it now!”(Shouting)

-“Okay, look, just tell me, what made you say such thing honey?” (Softly)

-“Come on! Like if I’m too dumb to find out about things you were sheltering in your office, and the secret you share with uncle Racheed.Dad, there’s nothing left to conceal!”(Shouting)

-“Oh, that! Wissal, can I explain?” (Confident)

-“I’m listening!”

-“About the things in my office, those were cigars and play cards that belong to your grand pa, I didn’t want you to see them, so you won’t have a bad impression …and concerning the secret, umm, well…” (Hesitating)

-“What dad?”

-“In fact, your poor mother didn’t die from a heart attack, she passed away when she was giving birth to you, I didn’t want you to feel like it was your fault. I wanted you to have a normal life with no psychical problems or anything. I’m so sorry honey; maybe I should’ve told you earlier” (Sadly)

-“Oh dad, I’m sorry. So, I’m not really adopted? How come I don’t look like anyone of you?” (Wondering)

-“I don’t know if you noticed, but you do look pretty much like your mom when she was in your age. She was beautiful, and kind. We can go for a DNA test if you still don’t believe me.”(Smiling)

-“No daddy, no need at all. I feel terribly silly for my rude behavior; I am so sorry” (Eyes full of tears)

-“I don’t blame you sweetie, you’re young and I know it’s hard being raised without a mother around. Come give your father a hug!”

She happily jumped in her father’s arms, enjoying his warm embrace. She felt safe, and put behind her back the word she hated the most: Adopted.

#Oussama Hamama
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