#214. MY DADA AND I

Dana’s life wasn’t the same when her parents decided to divorce when she was just two. Reason for the separation- her mom saw herself too sophisticated to stay in the ranch with her dad. Late realization! She later told Dana that the day she finally decided to move out and move on was the day she really felt free.

Never was Lana allowed to spend summer with her dad in his ranch. Her dad took 15 days off his routine every year, came to stay in their appartment to give her some much needed dad-time.

Everytime when she wanted to visit her dad, her mom would request and then threaten, to stop her from going. Dana doubted if it was stemming out of her own insecurities.

Now, this year as she turned 18, Dana decided to take a year off before she could apply for Universities.

Finally, she put her foot down and announced that she wanted to take a solo trip to her dad’s ranch. After having a screaming match with her mom, which she eventually won, she packed her bags and took off in her car.

Her dad had always been kind to her, but she saw a new dimension to him in the ranch. Neither too tall nor short, her dad was of medium built, but he somehow managed to look like a warrior riding his white horse. His cowboy hat added to his charm. He was kind enough to teach Dana, even when she lacked poise and landed on her back quite a few times. The back breaking work in the barn kept them busy all day long.

Dana was intrigued when she got to know that her father chose to live alone, even after all these years. The wall full of pictures of the once loving couple , stood testimony to the fact that he still lived with the memories of her mom.

They had a great time when he taught her line dancing and she partnered him in the annual country line dancing party. The dad-daughter duo made quite an impression among the cheering crowd. Dana saw his eyes crinkle everytime he gave her one of his adorable toothy smile. She swiped his cowboy hat, when he was distracted, as a reminder to that beautiful day.

The day she dreaded finally came. She had to leave the wonderful place for her fast-paced city life. When she saw her dad hiding his anguish well behind his smile, her mind was made up.

She decided to stay back with her dad, giving him a hand with his ranch work. She could very well do her graduation in correspondence. ‘It is high time, my dad got some love and attention which he deserves’, Dana thought. She hugged her dad tightly, once the decision was made.

She then looked at his face, wanting to gauge his reaction as she got ready to give him the happy news!

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For

FOWC with Fandango :Scream

Three Things Challenge #384

Words to be used: Car, Pack, Swipe

Fiction in a Flash Challenge: Week #20

SoCS: medium