Hard Goodbye

Hard Goodbye

A boy refused to say goodbye to his father who was going to deploy to the far East. His mother tried to persuade him with all her might—promising to buy him his favorite doughnuts tomorrow, assuring him a new toy he always begged to own—anything that can lure the boy to let his father go.

The boy was still crying while hiding under his character blanket. He sobbed and sniffed, snot and tears blended and wet his bed cover. Last night, he and his father spent a fun night watching his favorite cartoon, but this morning he found him wearing his army uniform and carrying a packed bag, saying goodbye. He hated his father for it. His father promised to be always by his side, but he broke it so easily.

Little did the boy know that his father was willing to stay late that night rather than to spend a good night rest just to spend more time with his only son.

Come on, sweetie. Don't you want to kiss daddy goodbye?

No! I don't wanna!! I hate dad!!

The boy ran towards his bedroom and stayed firm under the blanket, hoping that his tantrum would keep his father from going. He was his beloved son, right? He wouldn’t let his beloved son wailed all day long, right?

... Just let him be.

The boy heard the father's soft voice from behind him. And with those very words his heart was crushed. How could his father do that?

Then, there was a pause in the still air. The boy could feel his father's hand hovered above the blanket, as if trying to unveil it. The boy bit his lower lip and secretly smiled. Perhaps, his father changed his mind. But, the hand stopped midway and pulled back.

Not long, he could hear the sound of the door being shut. He was now alone and sullen. So that was his final decision. Slowly, the boy sarted sobbing and crying until he fell asleep with a snore, puffy eyes and a red nose. In his dream, he was gleefully laughing and running with his father in the field.