Chapter 5 Dad Why Did You Leave Me

Isabel was driving quietly, thinking deeply about all the events that led to her decision to leave home.

a few weeks earlier, she was seated quietly on the balcony at her home, she was so deep in thoughts that she didn't notice her mum Mrs. Emily standing in front of her.

Isabel, Isabel, Mrs. Emily called but got no response. she gently shook her and called her name softly. Isabel, what is wrong with you? Why are you like this Mrs. Emily asked?

Isabel is known to be of few words just like her father. though she was raised by a wild mother, she Is still quiet, cool, and calculated like her Dad.

Mother, how long have you been here? am sorry, I was lost in thoughts and I didn't realize that you were calling me, Isabel said in one breath.

mere looking at her, one would easily notice that she is tense and she looked troubled.

Isabel, you have been like this for the past three days, why is it taking you so hard to make up your mind?

I am your mother and I can't deceive you, I want the best for you, even though you doubt my sincere intentions and love for you.

you are my child and I love you. though, I have my ways of showing it.

just marry Frank and all our troubles will be over.

Mum, Isabel cuts in, you have been hostile to me all these years, you only become kind when you need something from me, you don't engage in anything that will not be beneficial to you but I refused to be manipulated again. I am not going to be your sacrificial lamb.

I don't love that man, and I will never marry him... "his presence irritates me,"

Mom, just let me be, she managed to say this in one sentence and stormed out of the room.

but she could hear her Mum's voice raging behind her, like a raging storm.

Isabel, since you have grown wings, I will surely bend you.

Isabel, I have my ways of bending you. I am your mother, since you have the guts to talk back at me, I will surely humble you. I promise!

"Isabel entered her room and burst into tears. she stared at her father for a while and managed to calm down a bit, but she still sobbed quietly."

this room used to be hers alone but since her Dad became ill, her Mum chased him out of their room because she couldn't stand him. I can't tolerate his awful smell she said, before casting Isabel's dad out like a pig.

So Isabel offered to share her room with her dad and became his sole caregiver.

though born into wealth, her mum ruined her dad, she took away everything her dad had and made sure she rendered him penniless.

Mrs. Emily thought she succeeded, not knowing that the man is wiser than her.

Isabel's dad made her vow never to disclose their hidden wealth to anyone for fear of what his wife would do to them.

Looking at her dad sleeping peacefully Isabel smiled amid tears.

Dad this woman is out to ruin us and I don't know what to do, I can't leave here because nobody will take care of you.

Dad, please get better, only you can stop her Isabel cried silently in her room. When her dad found out about her mother's betrayal, he suddenly developed a heart attack that led to a partial stroke.

his heart has always been very fragile, but this attack was so severe that it eventually led to his death.

Siiiii

She sighed!!!

Dad, why did you let go of my hand?

You promised never to leave me in this battle, why did you leave me? Dad my heart can't accept that you are no more.

Isabel said before being snapped out of her deep thought.

Isabel, Isabel, Leonard called but got no response. she was so lost in thought remembering what happened to her the week before she left her home, and how her life changed within a short while that she forgot that Leonard was seated Beside her.

Leonard gently shook her... Sorry, I was lost in thought she said forcing herself to smile.

Leonard pretended not to hear what she said and said to her, Isabel, can you just stop the car in front of The Biggs" eatery?

Okay, Isabel answered and drove to the eatery, she happened to know that area very well because that's the main route she takes while jogging every day.

When she parked the car, Leonard turned around to face her, Isabel look at me, he said softly, Isabel turned to face him... It's okay to be sad, it's okay to grieve and let out your sorrows but it's also okay to speak to someone.

It helps to talk to a friend unless you consider me a foe. Leonard said in a low tone.

What exactly are you talking about, Isabel asked?

Isabel, while driving I tried to start a conversation with you but all to no avail, you were so lost in thought.

you looked really sad, Isabel, am sorry for your loss Leonard said.

My loss, what do you mean by that Mr. Leonard?

Isabel asked confused and surprised at the same time. I never mentioned my father's death to him, she thought to herself how on earth did he find out? Is he a spirit?

you were very sad a while ago Leonard replied and you were talking to yourself. You said something about your father's demise, he reminded her.

Oh, it happened again, sorry for bothering you, Mr. Leonard. you see, driving is always my way of venting out my anger and frustration but it also gives me joy. I guess I was talking to myself while driving that was how you arrived at that conclusion, but believe me, am fine.

Isabel said all in one sentence and was shocked that she could talk so fast like this.

You lost your Dad recently so it's okay to grieve Leonard said.

Immediately he mentioned her dad, Isabel burst into tears. she was uncontrollable, wai wai wai wai wai she wailed.

she had been acting strongly in front of her friends back home that all the emotions she buckled up were let out that very minute.

she had suppressed her emotions for so long and now she's letting it out. at this moment, she just wanted to be free.