CRUEL KING

An amazing father

Chapter 2: An amazing father

Anisha pushed open the door to their old fisherman's shack, and as soon as she crossed the threshold, her father's faint voice called out.

_ Ani? Is that you?

_ Yes, Father, it's her," shouted Dalia, her sister a year younger. It's about time! she scolded her in a low voice. I thought he was about to understand something.

As she went to dry off in front of the fireplace, which was lit to ensure the right temperature for her father, Anisha motioned to Dali to lower her voice.

_ You should have told him I came to see Kassandre, as we agreed.

_Yes, well, that's what I told him yesterday, and the day before. There's no way I'm going to keep covering you. Not to mention that he's beginning to wonder why we have so much seafood.

_ Don't worry about that. He thinks old Rio is giving it to us. And in a way that's partly true, since he's been ill, he's brought us a few nice pieces.

_ But not a full basket a day, insisted his little sister. Ani, he's sick and it's complicated enough. If he has to worry about you on top of everything else, it's not going to help him get better.

_ Ani? called her father again.

The two girls looked at each other, then after a sigh, Anisha replied:

_ I'm coming, Father! Then, whispering to her sister, I'll try to space out my outings, but I can't stop when he needs energy to recover.

Before returning to her parents' room, the young girl went first to hers to get h nlxchange quickly and hide her wet hair under a shawl.

_ I'm here, Father, she said, opening the door of her small, simple room of minimal comfort.

_ Come here, my child, I must speak to you.

Anisha's heart sank hearing the tone of his voice.

She knew that when he took that tone, it was never good.

In fact, the only time he'd ever spoken to her and her sister like that was when their mother died.

She remembered it all too vividly not to recognize that resignation mixed with pain in his voice.

With a heavy step and a troubled mind, she moved to the edge of the bed, before sitting down on the small wooden stool.

_ I'm here, Father," she said softly, taking his hand in hers. I'm sorry, I should have told you I was going out this morning. But you know Kassandre, when she needs me, she gets impatient...

_ Ani... my little one. I know you haven't been to our neighbor's, and I'm sorry you had to lie because of me. But you know that at this time of year, the currents are treacherous and the rocks are razor-sharp...

_ But since I'm telling you...

She tried to tell him she hadn't dived that day, but finally resigned herself when she met his saddened gaze.

_ You know I'm very careful.

_ Ani, the man cut her off in a broken voice. I still prefer to know you're safe with us.

_ Well, I won't disobey you again. But please understand that you must eat properly to recover.

The man smiled, betraying a deep sadness. Anisha understood at once. Without him even needing to say anything to her, she knew that time was running out.

_ Little one, do you even know how much I love you and your sister?

_ How could I not know? Since the first day you brought me home, I've never seen you make a difference between Dali and me, yet I'm not your real daughter. For that, I can never thank you enough.

_ You're wrong, my child, said the man, wiping away the large tears that flooded his cheeks with his large hands, you've always been our true daughter. And it's us who are grateful to you for having been part of all our lives.

_ Father...

Her voice, choked with emotion, gave him no chance to reply.

_ You're probably the most loving and caring person I know, and I'm sure your sister will be safe with you.

_ Why are you saying all this? The doctor assured me you were getting better...

_ The doctor told you what I asked him to say. I wanted time to gather my courage and tell you myself.

Anisha's eyes misted up again, and big tears jostled along her nose and down her cheeks.

_ I had to be brave enough to face your sad faces again, and believe me, that's not an easy thing.

Now they were sobs, which Ani tried to make as quiet as possible.

Her sister was just downstairs and she didn't want her to hear. If her father had asked her to come alone, it was because he didn't want to say anything to her right now.

I'm sorry to put you through this ordeal again, to abandon you when you still need me...

The sobs becoming harder to control, Anisha buried her head against her father's arm.

_ You're still young, but you must think about getting married when Lori returns. I'm not worried about that; I know I can count on him to take care of you both. This world is too cruel for women like you to remain without a male presence by her side. Become a good wife and an exemplary daughter-in-law, that's all I'm asking you. As for Dali, I know you're much more protective with her than I am.

After giving her the keys to the small safe where his savings were hidden, he continued:

_ You'll find a necklace in that box. It's yours. You had it around your neck the day I found you. I don't know what it represents, but it looks precious. Don't wear it outside, someone might try to steal it.

Along with another list of recommendations, he asked her not to say anything to her sister for the time being. He wanted to take care of it after he'd regained some strength.

Anisha acquiesced to all his prescriptions and requests without contradicting him. At seventeen years of age, she was well aware that she was carrying out her father's last wishes. A man of great devotion to his family.

He had welcomed her into his home without ever making her feel different, yet the young girl knew that, with her stretched eyes and tanned skin, she had nothing in common with the people who populated the region.

The next day, she didn't leave his bedside, and the day after that was no different. As he had predicted, her condition was not improving...

Lacking dry goods such as rice, their father sent them to the city to procure some. Although he was usually opposed to this, fearing that Ani would meet a bad person because of her different ethnicity, the situation left him little choice...