I Hope You Will Never Regret

After breakfast, Edwin told his brother-in-law that he wasn’t going back to Richards Bay. He indicated that he would catch a flight from King Shaka International airport. His brother-in-law excused himself and went to his son’s bedroom. Aiden was still sleeping. His father smiled and said, “Wake up sleepy head.” Aiden looked at his father with sleepy eyes and said, “Good morning, Daddy.”

His father smiled brightly at him, then he picked him up and said, “Good morning, Son. Did you sleep well?” Aiden wasn’t a morning person. He just nodded his head. His father walked to his son’s bathroom with him in his arms. He put him down, and then he filled up the bathtub.

He looked at his sleepy son who was standing with his eyes closed and asked, “Don’t you want to pee before you wash up?” Aiden shook his head, then his father undressed him and started washing him up. He wrapped the bath towel around his son and walked out of the bathroom. A few minutes later, Aiden was dressed neatly in his school uniform.

He took his school bag and headed to the dining room to eat. His eyes lit up when he saw his uncle and asked, “Good morning, Uncle Edwin, where is my cousin Lily?”

Uncle Edwin ruffled his hair and replied, “Good morning, my handsome nephew. Your Aunt and Lily visited a friend in Australia. Why don’t you visit us during your school holidays?” Aiden was grinning from ear to ear and said, “I will surely visit, Uncle Edwin.”

Then he walked to his mother at a snail pace and said, “Good morning, Mommy.” His mother smiled for the first time since they arrived and replied, “Good morning, Aiden.” The helper brought a bowl of porridge for Aiden. Uncle Edwin took the bowl and fed his nephew.

After Aiden finished his food, his mother said, “Aiden, come and sit with Mommy.” Aiden was a little scared of his mother; he walked at a snail pace towards her and sat beside her.

His mother hugged him and said, “I am sorry that I left without saying goodbye. Your father chased me out of my house because I accidently hurt his daughter. It wasn’t my intention to hurt her, she made me angry. Are you blaming Mommy for hurting her?” She didn’t even want to call her daughter’s name.

Aiden looked at his mother with a confused expression and replied, “I don’t blame you, Mommy.” His mother was over the moon, she hugged him tightly. Edwin looked at his sister who was lying through her teeth; he shook his head and barked, “Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth looked at her brother provokingly. When Edwin saw how his sister was looking at him, he was so disappointed in his sister. It was clear to him that his sister was trying to sow a discord between her children. She wanted Aiden to side with her even though she was wrong. His sister was shameless.

Mr Martins took stairs to the second floor and walked to his daughter’s room. He knocked on the door then his lovely daughter opened the door smiling brightly at her father. He picked her up and walked to the sofa. He looked at his daughter with worried eyes and asked, “Are you still in pain?”

Avery told her father that she wasn’t in pain, and she slept well and asked, “Did you sleep well, Daddy?” Her father told her that he didn’t sleep well because he was thinking about his princess. Her little heart ached when she heard her father’s words.

She hugged her father tightly and said, “Daddy, please don’t forget to notify Mr Jacobs that I am injured, and I will not be able to go to school this week. Also, Mr Gray, Mathematics HOD, came to my class and asked me to attend the Mathematics Preparation class today. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen. I was looking forward to being part of the class.”

His father took his phone and dialed Principal Glen’s number. It was quickly connected. Mr Martins said, “Good morning, Principal Glen, I just want to let you know that my daughter, Avery, will not be able to attend classes yet because her arm is broken. I will keep her at home this week.”

Principal Glen became worried because with Avery as his trump card he had glimmer of hope that his school would perform well in the competition. He felt so sad and replied, “Good morning Mr Martins, I am sorry to hear that. Please tell her that she must get well soon. Do you want me to send the preparation materials to her?”

Mr Martins smiled and replied, “There is no need for that Principal Glen. Avery has finished studying Mathematics books from Grade 8 to the university level. Don’t worry she will do well in the Mathematics Olympiad competition.”

Principal Glen was dumbfounded to hear that Avery had already finished studying Mathematics books to the university level since she was just five years old. She was really a genius. Principal Glen thanked Mr Martins for letting him know then they hung up.

Principal Glen dialed Mr Gray’s number. When it was connected, he asked him to come to his office. A few minutes later, Mr Gray knocked on Principal Gray’s door. When he was given permission to enter, he greeted Principal Glen with a smile.

Principal Glen told him about Avery’s injury. Mr Gray was so worried; he had put all his hope to Miss Martins. He looked at Principal Glen and asked, “Should I send Mathematics materials to her house?”

Principal Glen shook his head and told him that there was no need because Avery had already studied Mathematics books to the university level. Mr Gray looked at Principal Glen with shock in his eyes.

Did he hear correctly, at the university level? When he was five years old, he was reading fairytales books not Mathematics books. Avery was beyond intelligent. Then he went back to his office grinning from ear to ear. He would surely bring glory to the school.

Mr Martins was about to leave Avery’s room when he heard Avery said, “Daddy, would you be so kind to take me with you to work this week?” Her father looked at her and replied smiling, “Why not, you will keep me company during boring meetings. Please go and ask Aunt Bridgette to wash you up, then we will leave in half an hour’s time.” Avery was so happy she entered Bridgette’s room without knocking.

However, Bridgette wasn’t in her room. Avery went to the bathroom. She knocked but there was no response. In the corner of her eyes, she saw something on the balcony. She quickly walked to the balcony; Aunt Bridgette was focused on her painting.

Avery stood still; she didn’t want to disturb her. Bridgette felt like there was someone watching her. She turned her head and she smiled brightly when she saw Avery. She walked to her and hugged her little body. She smiled at her and asked, “Baby, how are you feeling today?”

Avery smiled sweetly at her and replied, “Aunt Bridge, I am much better. Thank you for asking. Please help me to wash up; I am going to work with my father. When I am away you will be able to finish your masterpiece without any interruptions.”

Bridgette left her painting on the balcony, and then she went to the bathroom with Avery. She quickly washed her up, and then she dressed her up with jeans and pink shirt. She then braided Avery’s hair. She was adorable. Avery walked to her room, and she took her pink handbag, and then they headed down to the living room hand in hand.