MINE ~THREE~

SEVEN YEARS LATER

Rhys

Iris?

I was playing with my paper boat that aunt Jennifer made me in my garden when I heard my daddy's voice and immediately became afraid.

Daddy makes me scared. Even though he doesn't talk to me much and doesn't say anything to me but still I am very afraid of him. I don't know why?

Rhys

Iris, where are you?

Little Iris

Yes daddy.

I replied once daddy came to the garden looking for me. I was hiding behind aunt Jennifer's gown because I'm afraid of facing daddy alone

Rhys

I have to take you somewhere with me so, get ready.

Daddy said and looked at Aunt Jennifer in his angry gaze.

Jennifer

Don't worry Mr Rodriguez, I'll get her ready on time.

Rhys

I'm taking her to a boss's party so doll her up accordingly.

Daddy said and looked at his pond in the garden where he had reared his imported fishes. I was playing with my boats there only

Rhys

What did I tell you about that pond Iris?

Little Iris

Never to go there

Rhys

And why did I tell you that?

Little Iris

Because there are fishes and I might hurt them.

I replied him with my head bowed.

Rhys

Good girl.

Daddy said and then suddenly bent his head down at my level and grabbed onto my hand in which I was holding my paper boat. It was all crumpled in my fist now.

Rhys

The next time I see you playing with your stupid boats there, I will cut off your hands.

I gulped looking at daddy's angry face shivering from fear, and he immediately changed his expressions into giving me a creepy smile.

Rhys

Get dressed. Okay, honey?

And he walked away.

As soon as he walked away I hugged Aunt Jennifer tightly and started crying loudly.

Jennifer

Hey, Iris. No. No. Baby nothing happened. I'm here with you baby, don't cry.

Aunt Jennifer tried to calm me, taking me inside my room, so she could get me dressed for this party daddy was taking me to.

......

Little Iris

Aunt Jennifer where is daddy taking me to? He has never taken me outside this house.

Jennifer

He is taking you to a very fancy party.

Aunt Jennifer replied in her cuckoo voice making wear my favorite ball gown that daddy brought me.

Little Iris

What is a party? Are there other people there?

Aunt Jenny looked at me, pausing for a moment and then laughed.

Jennifer

Yes sugar. There are a lot of people there. There might even be other kids of your age whom you can play along with.

Little Iris

Really? Would they talk to me? Do they play with paper boats like me too? Would they come to my house and play with me?

Aunt Jennifer laughed at my excitement and brushing my hairs perfectly, she said

Jennifer

You will get to know that once you go there and talk to those kids, okay?

Little Iris

Okay!

Jennifer

Oh, look, my little Iris looks so cute tonight. Can I click a picture of my little sugar?

Aunt Jennifer asked me taking out her cellphone and I laughed nodding my head in a yes.

I was ready to go out of this house with my daddy for the first time in my life

I am excited but I am scared too because I have never seen the world outside of these walls. I have never seen or met anyone else except Daddy and Aunt Jenny.

This would be a very new and different experience for me