Time passed by
Moriah
Standing in front of a sideboard in a cosmetics store, according to the Internet, productions for theatre or television use this brand. The information stated that it was very beneficial to change the appearance of your face.
Additionally, I can see accessories to complete the look. Scars and silicone masks, for instance. Wigs, extensions, fake fillers, and costumes are available. There are countless things. This might be the place I've been looking for.
My dad looked at me and nodded that this was the right place. Then we went inside. When I entered this place, I felt like I was in another world. It is spectacular how human beings can create these types of items. They are generally used for entertainment, but not in my case. I want to change my appearance.
Then, I saw a wide-eyed look on my dad's face. His first encounter with alien costumes must have been strong enough to evoke such a reaction. Wow! It seems so real. Taking a chance to touch it, he reached out, then, he shook his head.
Thereafter, we kept looking for the perfect costume for me, strolling around the store. Finally, we arrive at the section on wigs and extensions. I had to choose one that was as close as possible to my original hair but with a touch of grey. My purpose in being here is to make myself look older.
Almost sixteen years have passed since that day. As for my body, it still looks exactly like when I was 27 years old. I should now resemble a 43-year-old woman. For that reason, I need all of this. People will become suspicious, and the excuses for plastic surgery are no longer credible. Compared to my dad, who has already begun to reflect on his years.
His 73rd birthday was a month ago, and although he has a strong body, his vitality has decreased considerably. Now, he requires more attention and a special diet. And because he is the only one I have, I need to pay more attention to him.
But going back to the wigs, I found some discreet extensions, which matched my natural hair colour. With some grey hair, I can put those under my hair without showing them. This will also give the impression that my hair is old. I bought it as my first purchase because it's perfect.
I then continued with the makeup, even buying the silicone wrinkles. The saleswoman explained the process of applying them to me, additionally, she told me that I need to practice a lot to make them look natural. Then she suggested taking makeup courses. My answer was, of course, yes. I want to appear as natural as possible.
We left the store happy that we had found what we were looking for. Afterwards, I treated my dad to French food at a nearby restaurant. He loves French cuisine. I am, however, very concerned about something. Dad's health is rapidly deteriorating. His eyes show how exhausted he is.
Currently, he continues to work with me, but I am seriously thinking of reducing his hours, and days. I've even thought about hiring a nurse to help him with everything while I am working.
It is too early to tell, so I will schedule three full physical exams a year to keep tabs on his health. We can then determine if something is wrong and treat it before it becomes worse. His health is the most important concern to me. While it's in my hands, I will not skimp on anything so that he is well.
Having finished our meal, we returned to the house. We had bought enough bags to look like a Christmas tree. As well, we stop for clothes. Section forty and higher was where I went. The styles are so different from what I am used to, but everything has to match.
At home, I walked to my room to leave my purchases, then go downstairs and make some sandwiches. My dad really enjoys tea in the afternoons. So, here I am, preparing an afternoon tea.
Once everything had been prepared, I found him lying on the couch. With the television on, asleep. He was so tired.
I grab a blanket and cover him up. Then I let my dad rest for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, I was able to hack the appointment with the hospital and hire the best nurse in France.
∞∞∞
As time passed, it had already been 26 years since the incident. My life has been peaceful, and I have achieved everything that I have set as a goal. It has been a successful life for me. But every so often, I feel empty. There have been many years of living as a single woman. I have my dad with me, but it isn't the same as having my family.
That is the only thorn in my side.
Furthermore, I have begun organizing all my thoughts on this for the past few years. What will happen to all that I have accomplished on that day? Consequently, I decided to negotiate the transfer of my clinic and my business. I have chosen an association that will be responsible for administering and maintaining my legacy.
No children, no husband, no other relatives. I don't have anyone to pass it on to.
As my father grows older, I am heartbroken to see him suffer. His body can be relieved of pain with medicine. Nevertheless, they keep returning. Seeing how dependent the body is on medication is painful. But at least he won't have to suffer.
Every night when I put him to bed, he tells me about my childhood. Of what a smart kid that I always was. His belief was that I would accomplish great things in my life. It's impossible to not shed a few tears when I listen to him speak.
I stayed with him until he fell asleep, listening. It was a tough time. My feeling of being alone grew. I could feel in my bones that he didn't have much time left. Then I tortured myself, believing that his life was being greatly reduced. His life was confined to these four walls, and he rarely went out.
His weakened body wasn’t allowing him to leave. I know it was inevitable, and that it had to be strong. I couldn't crack in front of him. For both of us, I had to be the pillar. Because of this, I only allowed myself to cry in my room, behind closed doors. Only there, I could take out all the pain I had when I saw his life slip from his hands.
He is the only person who knows my secrets. I did not tell him about the part where the king would come back for me because that will be the last day of his life. How can I tell him that? It would be best if he never knew that my future was still in the devil's hands.
The following days passed in the same way. Wearing the costume became second nature to me. The results fooled many people. What I learned from these classes has served me well.
And as time passes, I only have to increase more grey hair or more wrinkles. I've considered putting on some padding since my body is thin as always. My figure would not fool anyone. But how annoying it would be to have to carry around extra things? It's better to buy baggy clothes instead.
∞∞∞
After a few more years, the association with which I made the agreement already controlled my business. I spent most of my time at home with my father. His condition was bad, he spent more time sleeping than awake. It was my duty to be with him, in the same way that he was always with me.
To see him in such a state pains me so much. My father, my rock. The only person I had in this life, and he was leaving me. However, I knew it was inevitable. We did not know how long he was going to live, but whatever it was, I would spend it by his side. There was no time for me to waste away from him. Every moment we had together, I was going to make the most of it.
So, I moved to his room, I was his head nurse, but a doctor checked on him personally every week. This is how we spend our time. I stopped going out, always by his side. As far as my job responsibilities were concerned, I discussed them over the phone, or by online conference. However, at last, I had to let go of everything. Knowing what might happen to me has made me more cautious. I could be taken from this life at any moment. The responsibilities I had weren't going to be left hanging in the air
∞∞∞
Therefore, I give it all up. I was no longer a psychiatrist, a consultant, or a businesswoman. I relegated myself to the role of a daughter. She was only concerned about her dad's health. That was my sole responsibility. And that's how I wanted it. He needed me to be with him in his last moments. No one could take with me the last memories of my life with my dad, even though I didn't know what the future held for me.
So, day and night I pass by his side. Day and night I was awake, on the lookout for what he needed. I was the nurse who was most dedicated to her patient. The best daughter has set foot on this earth.
There was a moment in which I was only looking for the moment when he awoke to be able to look into those beautiful eyes once more. No matter how old he got, his eyes stayed the same, beautiful and full of love for me. They were so clear, that sometimes I could see what he was thinking through them. I knew the moment would come, but I hoped it would take much, much longer.
The days passed as usual, and never did I leave his side. I did not bathe for fear of returning and not finding him with me. The monitor we installed next to his bed was constantly telling me how his heart was behaving. Next to us was a resuscitator in case we need it. We had already used it twice when his heart stopped for a few seconds. It was a nightmare during those minutes.
Fortunately, I always have a team of medical professionals nearby. They are more than capable of doing their work with excellence. They have saved his life more than once.
But now, whenever he was awake, he did not tell me stories from my childhood any more because he could no longer speak. So, it was my turn to tell him about the clinic and all the lives we had improved through our work. My dad smiled weakly at me, so I knew he was still with me. He understood me. Seeing my dad's life reach the end was heartbreaking to me. It wasn't long before it was over. The doctors didn't give him more.
Whenever I said goodbye to him, I would kiss his forehead. Every night, I would take his hand and kiss it. Every night, I stroked his hair. I didn't know if this would be the last day that I could touch him, or kiss him. I did not know, I did not know it.
And that's how the next morning I found his body cold. During his sleep, my dad passed away peacefully. At that moment, I knew what true loneliness feels like. My father, my only friend, my partner, my mentor. He was gone forever. Rest in peace, Philip Regina, brilliant Psychiatrist, and exceptional father.
∞∞∞
Many years ago, plans were made for his funeral. Upon his departure, everything had been prepared. I had everything ready.
The funerary took my dad’s body to prepare him, and I make sure he will be buried like a king. I had a calm expression on my face. But inside, I was shattered. Nothing, not even the threat of being taken from this world, could keep my mind from my father. Then, I couldn't get out of the deep pain I felt for the loss of him. I was walking because I had legs, and I was talking because I had a mouth. But my mind was not here. It left with my dad. But I was not surprised when I saw hundreds of people at his funeral who had come to say goodbye to him.
This only reaffirmed the quality of the man that he was. I was so proud of him.
People approached me and offered their condolences and their full support. I could only thank them for showing a calm demeanor. The only reason I wasn't lying on the floor crying in despair, was because, in my mind, I was only listening to his words, “Don't worry, love, you will get over this too. My daughter is intelligent and always knows how to overcome any obstacle.”
As I remember this, I shed the first tears since leaving his body at the funerary. I couldn't stop myself, for several minutes my pain flowed in the form of tears. But, eventually, I managed to calm down to attend to those who came.
After the farewell ceremony ended, it was time to take him to the place where his remains will rest forever.
In the back seat of the car, I spent about half an hour on the road. As I turned my head back, I noticed a long line of cars following us to the cemetery. I was not surprised by this; it filled me with pride.
Turning my head forward, I fixed my gaze on the road. Arriving at the cemetery, the coffin was taken to the mausoleum, where everything was ready for burial. All of us follow him in silence. There was a sense of loss in the air when a great person passed away. The crowd gathered around my father's remains.
A few minutes later, the priest began to give his sermon and say the final goodbye. At that point, I could not hear anything going on around me. The whole experience felt surreal as if my mind were silently watching everything from above. It was as if I had left my body. Furthermore, I wanted to go with him so that he wouldn't leave me.
Then, I felt his hand touch my shoulder for a moment. He always did this when he saw me worried or upset. As if his spirit were around me, I could feel it. Keeping my composure, I wiped away the tears that I couldn't hold back. Until now, and even at this moment, he is still with me, supporting me, and giving me strength.
Then, I lifted my head and looked up at the sky. The wind was blowing on my face, and that's when my body shuddered. A tangle of invisible arms seemed to encircle around me, then, the wind whispered into my ear, “I love you, Moriah.” I fell to the ground on my knees, crying, and hugging myself. I cried like I'd never imagined possible. Oh! How alone I was.
People were around me, but nothing mattered to me. Then someone picked me up by the arm, helping me to stand up.
The minutes passed and people began to leave. One by one, they said their goodbyes until none remained. With my body empty, I remain in the same place, in front of my dad's grave, alone.
My skin was gently caressed by the wind, and my hair fluttered. Afterwards, I felt a feeling of immense peace. I knew my father was fine, wherever he was, and he would always look out for me. He always has, and death will not stop him from doing so.
“See you soon, my father, rest your soul in peace.” Thereafter, I contemplated his grave one more time. However, in the next moment, everything around me became ice. Standing there, I couldn't think or move. I felt electricity shivering down my spine, and the hairs on my skin rose.
“Moriah, the time has come for you to go home. Come with me to your husband.”
