I miss you dad.

-Rain

His smile, it was heart warming something about this man was very different. The predatory stance,the chaos in his eyes and the tattoos made him mysterious. A mystery I was craving to solve but I knew the deeper I will go the difficult it would be to come out. I know he was hiding something but so was I. We weren't as pole apart as we looked. We shared similarities apart from our past, it was the love we had for Amber.

I was sitting on a stool telling Damien how to wash Amber's hair. I was already dressed up so I couldn't get wet. I don't understand how he was making such a simple task look so difficult. But as he stated he wanted to do it perfectly. I also know we will definitely be late but Damien deserved it. He deserved to cherish this moment.

"What should I do now?", Damien asked me as he pressed in some strawberry flavoured shampoo in his huge palm.

I looked at Amber to see she was playing with the pink bubbles in the jacuzzi. She was paying no attention to what was happening around.

"Her hair are wet?", I asked Damien and he nodded his head in affirmation.

"Slowly rub the shampoo on her hair just like you do to yours and then massage her scalp.", I stated and Damien started doing as I said.

But mid way Amber started moving her head making it difficult for Damien to put the shampoo.

"Don't move princess. Otherwise the shampoo will get in your eyes and then your eyes will start itching or worst burning.", Damien murmured to Amber but she didn't listen. She continued moving her head as if she was singing a song in her mind and doing a head dance.

"Amber. Don't move baby or no ice cream.", I stated and immediately she stopped moving her head. Damien sighed in relief and continued.

This moment as I looked at them. The love and adoration in Damien's eye made my heart clench. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about my dad. My anchor, my superhero and most importantly my best friend.

I sat on the bench in the park. The sun was about to set and the weather was getting chilly. Not to mention my fear of darkness. I could never tolerate darkness so I even have merry lights that I turned on before going to sleep.

My right knee was aching and I was sure that it was bleeding too but I didn't look at it. The more I will look the more painful it will become.

Big fat tears were rolling down my cheeks. I wasn't crying because I was hurt. Okay maybe partially but the main reason was the loneliness and pain I felt at my heart.

I haven't lost in the game and left like a loser. No this wasn't the case because I always lost in any to everything except for academics. If I should have felt like a loser then it should have been better because I could try again.

I felt like a victim.

I looked around the park to find the kids were already gone. But I could imagine then standing in front of me and making mockery out of me.

"Rain!", I heard a voice and I immediately recognized it. There was warmth in that voice. The softness and worry in that voice made it distinctive.

Dad

I didn't look up. I kept my head low and kept on crying. I knew if I try to say a word, a sob would leave my mouth. I never hated to cry. Dad always say that those who cry are very brave because they have the capability of carrying their heart on there sleeves, all raw and vulnerable and all can't do that.

I felt dad sitting next to me. My grip on my knitted sweater tightened as I kept on crying. Few minutes passed but dad didn't utter a word.

Instead I felt being lifted and being placed on dad's lap. The warmth, his comforting smell and security his arms provided, I couldn't control myself. I tied my hand around dad's neck as I sobbed in his chest.

He didn't utter a word. But his silence gave me a message 'I am here. It will all be right.'

"Daddy.....", I sobbed. It was too much. The rejection and it's pain was too much. He placed his hand at the back of my head as he held me to his chest. I sobbed and sobbed till the time I had nothing remaining.

Once I have calmed down I continued starring at his grey shirt. He must have just returned back from work. The grey shirt on the place were I cried had turned a shade darker due to my tears. I couldn't look up and meet his eyes I just couldn't. I wasn't his brave girl instead I was a big coward.

"The clouds look like pink marshmallows. Your favorite.", dad stated and I turned around in his arms to look up. Indeed they looked like marshmallows.

"When I was young, I use to always think that you can eat the cloud as the always looked like cotton candy.", dad said while chuckling as I continued looking up.

I knitted my eyebrows. Here I was crying and dad was talking about marshmallows. But I didn't say anything about it because somewhere I felt talking about marshmallows was better than talking about the happenings.

"Do you have marshmallows left in your secret candy box?", dad ask as I shook my head. I was too tired to reply. All that crying has taken away the little energy I had.

"Are you tired princess?", daddy asked and I nodded my head as a yawn left my mouth. I placed my head on display shoulder as I dozed off.

~*~

I felt a small tap on my shoulder but being light sleeper that I am, I opened my eyes. As soon as I opened my eyes a smell invaded my nostrils.

Cookies

I looked up to see Mom was looking at me with warm eyes. I sat up and noticed I was no more in my knitted wear rather I was in a tee and pajama shorts. Also my once bleeding knee was bandaged.

My mom spread her arms as I immediately coiled in it, hugging her back.

"Your dad has made your favorite almond chip cookies.", mom stated and I immediately let go of mom and rushed downstairs.

"Slowly honey or you will fall.", mom stated from the back and I slowed down my pace or my clumsy legs who are traitors would definitely make me fall.

Once I have made it down the staircase I rushed to the kitchen. I looked around to see dad in a cute rabbit embroidered apron standing near the oven. As he took out the hot cookies from the oven I made my way in his direction.

"Stay away princess, they are hot.", dad stated and I paused one feet away from him. Once he has put the cookies on the counter top he came in my direction and picked me up. He pecked my cheek and I giggled. I immediately rested my head on his shoulder. His presence provided me with a protection that no other force can provide. After all he is my mightest superhero.

We settled on the couch as mom brought the warm cookies from the kitchen. She put half in a glass jar away from my reach and other half in a plate. I looked up at dad and pouted.

"Don't worry we will steal them in night and put then in your secret candy box.", dad whispered in my ear and I happily nodded my head.

Mom came and placed the cookies in front of us and I quickly picked up two, one in my each tiny palm. I happily started munching them.

"Your dad said let you sleep so we let you sleep beyond dinner time but honey if you are still hungry then I can make you something.", mom stated but till that time I have eaten up like six cookies and my stomach was full.

"No mommy I am full.", I stated.

Mom simply nodded her head as she looked down at my left knee. I knew what was coming. I simply averted my glaze down.

"How did you hurt your knee. I know you are very clumsy but honey if you keep on hurting yourself like this then it will be problematic. As it is we are running out of bandages and antiseptic.", mom ended with a teasing note and I simply nodded my head.

"Darling getting wounded are like sweet memories of childhood.", dad stated and I looked at him greatfully.

"Now let me take princess to bed as she has school tomorrow.", dad stated as he picked me up and made his was up the staircase. He gently placed me on the bed. I simply got inside the covers as dad got up to leave.

"Dad...", I called from the back.

He turned back in my direction. Though I was ten but I was good at reading people. His eyes held sorrow and some sort of pain.

"You never asked me why I cried?", I asked. Uncertainity evident in my voice. I wasn't even sure what answer I will give if he asks me this question but I was curious. Curious to know why he never asked.

I heard dad sigh softly as he made his way to me. He pulled the tiny chair near and sat on it. He held my hand gently as he placed a kiss at the back of my hand.

"Will you tell me if I ask you?", dad asked. I didn't know the reply. I didn't want to share it yet I wanted to share. He was my only friend from whom I could talk about anything.

"Yes.", I answered. My voice confident and dad just passed me a smile encouraging me to speak.

I started telling him everything. How everyone in the park refused to play with me and as they put it 'we lose because of you. You are too weak'. How they bully me, push me around and make fun or me and the worst is that when Lila joins them at that time. That hurts the most because she is family. My family.

"I already know that sweetheart. I am sorry I could not do anything for you. But from tomorrow you are not going to that park. I will talk to your mom. Okay? I will even talk to the parents of these kids so that their parents know that they are turning into bullies.", dad stated and his voice comforting.

"But dad don't I deserve friends?", I questioned. Tears started blurring my vision. What did I do to deserve it?

"We don't beg for friends darling. If you do that you will get flatters instead of friends. You will have friends in right time at the right moment and if even not then you will have your prince.", dad stated.

"Prince? So will he my friend?", I ask suddenly excited.

"Yes my angel. He will be your best friend and would love you more. More than me. He will be there with you in your good and bad times.", dad answered.

"No one can love me more than you. If that is the case then you be my prince.", I argued and dad threw back his head and laughed.

I passed him a confused look. Did I say something wrong? Why can't he be my prince?

"I can't be your prince my baby as when you will be young I would have grown old and your prince will be a person who would grow old with you.", dad stated.

"So will you help me find my prince?", I asked, eager for a reply. Dad nodded his head.

"I will be there when you find your prince. I will make sure he is a good man. Your dad may grow old but he won't go anywhere. He will be there with you all the time.", dad stated as he gently tapped my forehead.

"Pinky promise dad?", I asked holding out my pinky finger.

"Pinky promise.", dad stated softly wrapping his pinky finger around mine.

"Rain..."

I felt someone shook my shoulder. I looked up to meet Damien's concerned eyes. My vision was a bit blurry and only then I realise maybe I was crying.

Damien placed his rough fingers on my wet cheeks as he wiped my tears.

"What's wrong angel?", Damien asked softly and I just shook my head.

"Nothing just nostalgia hit me. I was thinking about my dad.", I stated. My voice breathless. My throat was tight with emotions.

"I will get you water.", Damien stated as he rushed out of the bathroom. I looked ahead to see Amber was wrapped in a bathrob. Looks like the bath time is over. I got up from the stool and made my way to her.

Her eyes were fixed on me as if she knew the hidden pains of her mother. She was assessing me. I didn't want to worry her so I passed a smile to her, fake.

I legs were trembling. But I payed no attention to it. I picked up Amber as I decided to exit the bathroom.

Meanwhile Damien came back with a glass of water. He took Amber from my arms as he passed me the glass of water. I thanked him and slowly drank the water taking gulp after gulp.

I looked Damien to see he was completely wet.

"Go change your clothes till the time I get her ready. As it is we are late.", I stated trying to change the topic. The concern in Damien's greys orbs were evident.

I couldn't talk about dad it brought so much back, both good and bad.

"You sure?", he asked. His voice as soft as a feather as if he feared that if he raised his voice then I will break. I simply nodded my head.

We both exited the bathroom as he placed Amber on the bed. He didn't say another word as he quietly left the room. As I looked at his back before he vanished from my vision, only one think revolved in my mind.

You broke your promise dad. You broke the pinky promise you gave me.