A boy, his football, and a father who always found a way to say yes.
This is Part 3 of the novel Love on Fridays. Catch up with Ms. Coconut and Home Sweet Home.
Mack starts recollecting some moments from his life…
Mack has just returned from school, and an argument is happening in the hall.
Clara: “You’re having Summative Assessment exams next week!” — “How could you possibly?!”
Mack: “Mom…. Please….”
Clara: “NOPE!”
Just then a man steps into the house.
Nathan: “Good evening family! How is everything going?” — in a cheering and full voice.
Clara: “I don’t think your son will pass this year”
Nathan: “What?”
Clara: “YES! He will probably stay in the same class!”
Nathan: “But?”
Mack: “Let me explain dad.”
Clara: “No more explanations!”
Nathan: “Wait honey, let me first understand, what is all the argument about”
Clara pauses for a second.
Mack: “Okay! Simple, next week I am having term-end exams, and I am having football finals the very same week.”
Nathan: “That is quite a big issue. How can you skip one year for football?”
Mack: “No…no…dad” — “Every day I have my exam in the morning slot, and I have my match in the afternoon slot, no issue at all!”
Nathan: “Ooh! But -”
Clara interrupts him—
Clara: “You won’t be able to focus, when will you have time to study?”
Nathan: “Yeah that is a point. You’ll probably get tired after the match and when will you study?”
Mack walks to his father. He starts looking at him with eyes full of hope and cuteness.
Nathan: “Okay, okay, son, you can play.”
Mack: “YESS! THANKS DAD!”
Clara: “What!”
Nathan: “Honey, I will wake him up every day at five o’clock in the morning.” — Nathan winks at Mack saying this — catching the signal Mack quickly responds.
Mack: “Yes Maa! I promise I will wake up early every day and study”
Clara: “But…” — in a confused and low tone.
Nathan: “He will be okay honey, don’t worry, I promise!”
Clara calms down—
Clara: “Whatever…”
Mack: “Yoo…Ho… Thanks Maa!” — seeing her son jump in happiness Clara too feels happy and starts smiling.
Nathan: “Aaaah! I see it Mrs. Clara” — Clara smiles and turns away.
Some memories keep you warm on the coldest nights. On a lonely island, a grown man holds on to a boy’s ordinary evening — a father’s yes, a mother’s smile — and lets it carry him toward morning.
If this story stays with you, wander into a different kind of love next — What Is Love? — or begin the companion story, Death on Fridays.
