Highly Commended Story - Special Day

“Special Day” by Artykbayeva Amira Kuatovna, Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Pavlodar City, Kazakhstan, is the Highly Commended story in the senior category of the first biannual Short Story Contest 2020.

Artykbayeva Amira is 14 years old and is a student of 9th grade at Nazarbayev Intellectual school of Chemistry and Biology in Pavlodar city, Kazakhstan. In her free time, she loves reading, learning languages and watching movies. She is studying English and German. This short story tells about the relationships between daughter and dad. In that way, she wants to show that everything that parents do - they do because of love.

Special Day

It is a special day. Today is my birthday and I am turning 18. This is my dad sitting on our shabby, red sofa. Right here 14 years ago, my mother told that she was leaving us forever. I was only 4 years old and I didn’t realize that it would be the last time I saw her. All these 14 years my dad Kuat was courting and raising me. He knows everything about me, he is not just my father, but he also replaced my mum. Today I have some news for him, “Daddy, I have something to tell you. Since I have achieved the age of majority I wanted to ask your permission to go to America. I believe that you will understand me because you know that it’s my dream. You don’t…….”. I didn’t finish my speech as he shouted, “No!”. “But why? What…”, I replied.

“I said no. You aren’t going anywhere.”

“If this all is about money, then you may not worry, I got a scholarship…”,

“I’ve told you no. Don’t make me repeat it.”

I didn’t know what to do. I felt a warm tear running down my cheek. I thought there would be no problem because he always knew how much I dreamt about studying abroad. I was so angry and said: “But why do I have to ask your permission? I am already 18 and I’m not a kid anymore. You can’t tell me what is right and what is wrong. I thought that you are my soulmate and you will always support me, but you are a selfish man who is afraid that his daughter will surpass him.”

I slammed the door so hard that it staggered. I was so disappointed that all these years he couldn’t see what I was doing. The tears were flowing on their own. I realized how infinite my love for dad was, however, I just could not stay at my hometown anymore.

I left home and my eyes were full of anger and tears. I didn’t know what to do and what to expect, but I decided to go far away from home and start creating my dream life. I took a bus and went to the airport.

I closed my eyes and felt that something was wrong. Everything was so silent when suddenly I heard my phone ringing. It was a nurse from the local hospital:

“Hello! Are you the daughter of Kuat?”, she asked.

I was wondering why she was calling me and asked, “Yes, why are you asking? Did anything happen?”

“Your dad has had a heart attack and he’s in a coma now. The situation’s serious. We want you…”

I wasn’t listening to her anymore. Something was squeezing me from the inside, I just didn't understand what the nurse was saying. I felt that he was near, hugging me with his warm arms. Tears were flowing and I started to choke when all of a sudden I heard a man’s voice and opened my eyes. I realized that it was a nightmare. I frantically started searching for my phone and wanted to hear my dad’s husky voice. I grabbed for my phone and took it out of my bag and quickly began to dial my dad's number. The beeps went on for several seconds as I heard:

“Where are you darling? Come home, please”, my daddy said with his trembling voice.

I grabbed my bag and hastily got on the first bus I saw. Soon I was at home and my dad was sleeping on the doorstep, waiting for me all this time. I kissed him and he woke up.

“Here you are, my sweetie. I’m not letting you leave because I don't want you to forget me. I want to be your superhero and I want you to be my little Princess. But if that makes you happy, then move on”, my dad said through his tears.

“I will never forget you, daddy. You are the best father ever”, I said. Then I understood that it was difficult for both of us and I asked in a voice full of hope and with glowing eyes, “What do you think about moving to the US?”.

“That’s a brilliant idea, let’s go packing!” he said.