The conundrum

I suddenly get up with a jerk and see around everything is still and nothing is moving around, glad that I'm back to reality from the horrific dream. I move my hand towards the side table to grab the side watch and realize it's only 4:30am in morning.

Already tired of the day,I finally get up from the bed feeling all drenched in sweat, I rush to the washroom to fresh up ,change to my workout clothes and head down stairs for a run. Run just rejuvanates me and keep my mind off from those imaginary hallucinations which have just started huanting me.

On my way home as I see the first rays of sunlight coming up , I feel a smile forming on my face .As I enter the house a pleasant sweet ,spicy ,warm uplifting smell penetrates my nose and within seconds i recognize it's Cinnabon Brötchen ,my mama's speciality. My mama is a baker and she is one of a kind, her baking skills are extraordinary.

My great grandfather had a backery back in Germany during 1870s but at that time world war 1 was going on and immigration was taking place to America and due to poor economic conditions no choice but to immigrate to America was an only option for them. They got settled in Pennsylvania were most of the Germans settled down and opened his backery again . It caught Americans attention and within a few years became a name . The backery passed on to my grand father and then to my mother as she was the only child .

Following the smell I walk to the kitchen "Mama what a great day to start with cinnabon bröthchen".My mama busy packing the bröthchen looks up and says "Tochter hurry up it's already 5:55 you have gotta go to Mr.Holmes i am packing some bröthchen for him". So basically my mama living in America has got used to the American language but still somehow you get to know she is German firstly by her looks and then by her baking she is one of a kind .

I run upstairs take a hot bath, change into my usual jeans and sweater , taking a last look in mirror I rush downstairs. Going to the kitchen , I take the brötchen packed in the box and kiss my mama a good bye , I go towards my parking lot. Opening the door of my Subaru SVX I sit inside and unconsciously my hand directly goes to my kea pendant.

I suddenly get the vision of little me running and jumping here and there because today i turn 8 years old . I am impatiently waiting for dad. My dad used to work in Arizona as an accountant and used to come rarely to see us , because he just strted his job and din't get leaves easily. So he used to send me letter and postcards. I used to love reading them. Actually I used to love reading altogether it was my passion since i was 3 years old. I started with reading picture books then going on and on and it never stopped.It was dad who taught me to read, actually on my 2nd birthday my present was a nemo picture book , you nemo the "fish".Then suddenly door bell rang I rushed to the door, mama comes from behind opens the door and I see a postman standing in fornt of me holding a parcel.I would say i was dissapointed i expected dad. My mama takes it , and gives it to me with a sad smile . I take it read my name written in cursive writting,recognising the handwriting I rush to my room upstairs. Crying and crying I opened the parcel.I see a box inside it with pink envelope. I take the envelope tear it take out the letter and start reading.

Dear wenig,

Happy birthday!! I am so happy today you turn 8 years old. I am so proud of you.

I am sorry Kathy i won't be able to come on your birthday and i am very sorry for that .

I promise when i come back within few weeks we will celebrate your birthday.

Till then enjoy this small present your dad has sent you always wear this kea pendant.You know Kathy while I was searching for a lovely gift for my beautiful daughter, this shop in Arizona caught my attention it had a beautiful bird pendant on showcase . I went inside and asked the shopkeeper about it and what does this bird symbolises and you know what he told me Kathy he said" The bird Kea is known for their intelligence and curiosity, both vital traits for survival in the harsh mountain environment that is their home. Kea can solve logical puzzles, such as pushing and pulling things in a certain order to get to food, and will work together to achieve a certain objective".

At that certain time I knew this is my Kathy intelligent , smart. , kind and just like bird Kea always focused on her favourite job "reading". This pendant will help you keep focus on the work you do, just like kea bird.And I will always be around you just like the pendant on neck .

So here is your present Kathy , be happy, give my love to mom , don't give much trouble to grandfather and be a good girl. (although i know you are always a good girl:))

Your lovingly,

Dad

Well that was the last letter from him.After a few weeks we got to know he died in a car accident.It took years for me and mom to come back to our lives and start living it. My grandfather was always there for us giving us support and telling just what we needed to hear "life goes on". I guess that's whst he learned staying in army and serving for the nation and seeing brave soldiers die. Coming back to present I felt my cheeks wet, never knowing I was crying I wiped them and took the road to Mr.Holmes big big house.