WHEN DID IT STARTED.

MEMORY BOX

" Anna seems that you like that guy, " my mom said.

" Mom I told you that I am not ready for guys yet, so it is very clear that I don't like him," I said trying to pretend as if I am upset.

And what is up with you mom, why are you dressed like that? I asked.

My mom was putting on a white shirt, and a white top, and added a white cap on her head, that complemented her white-gray hair. Mom when did you start playing golf, because one thing I know for sure about those who play it, is that most of them dress like that.

" Don't be silly baby, I got a job close by, and this is my uniform " she said smiling.

" Mom, I told you not to worry, I will work very hard to take care of the house, so why did you have to get a job, " I asked with a frown.

" Anna, you have been working hard to assist me since when you were little, I don't want to depend on anyone, because one day you will have to get married, and you will have to take care of your family ". My Mom said, leaving me heartbroken.

My mom is an emotional type of person. She was holding the tears in her eyes, just for the little word she said, and I just had to hug her, I know she had been true a lot, and I just want her to trust me on the aspect of taking care of her.

" Mom, please don't cry, I understand where you are coming from, so please, just be strong like me okay!! ".

" Dear, I won't cry for we are a strong family ". she said smiling as the tears drop down from her cheek.

I look at her in her eyes and said on the count of three, One...... Two...... Three..... and we both put our hands on our chest at the same time, saying we are a strong family. And we both end up laughing.

" It has been a while since we both laugh like this," I said, as I walked to my room. I closed my door and brought out my memory box. It's a small box that I use in gathering all my fun time experiences.

I placed the box on my bed, and I grabbed the picture of me and my dad. I was nine when he passed out, but I always remember the fun time I had with him. When I was little, we would go to the amusement park together, eat noodles, lick ice cream, and on our way back, he would carry me on his back ( piggy style)

At night he always makes sure to give me a good night kiss, and in the morning he would help me to get ready for school while my mom helps my brother to also get ready.

I remember a certain day, that he was dressing my hair, I told him about one of my classmates I have feelings for.

" Dad!!! there is this boy in my class, he is funny, handsome and super-rich, dad I want to marry him ".

My dad blinks about five times before he finally asked me the reason I said I want to marry the boy. " Why do you want to marry him," my dad asked. " Because he is cute, and he likes winking at me every time, the boy is the most handsome in my class, his parents are super-rich... Daddy, he even has a driver that always takes him to school I said. Dad, I forgot to mention to you, but do you know that he always brings four chocolate to school, all the girls in my class like him, but he likes only me, isn't that a good thing " I ask my Dad with my soft tender voice.

My dad didn't scold me, he kept on looking at me as if he wants to memorize my face before he finally broke the silence. " if you get good grades in your studies, and if you become a good office worker I would make sure that you wed that boy, only if you will like him when you are grown-up " he said, cupping my cheek with his hand.

"Dad, I will like him," I said smiling as I expose my space teeth.

" Anna " my dad called and I look at him. "Don't fall in love now, promise me" my dad said with a serious face, but he placed a smile on his face.

" Dad !!! " I shouted, because my dad knows that I can't keep a promise, last time he made me promise to do better on my grade, I did the opposite.

" Anna I just want you to promise me that you will not like people because they are rich and they bring chocolate, or because they are handsome and have a driver who brings them to school. I want you to focus on your grades and if you score good grades I will always buy chocolate for you, and ice cream ".

" Dad, I promise " I quickly say, not because I wanted to, but because he mentions ice cream. " Dad, you better buy five chocolate," I said, looking at him with the eyes that say ' Don't break your promise '.

" if you score good grades only," he said as he winked at me.

" Dad what was that," I asked him raising a brow at him.

" You said you like him because he winks at you, and that is why you want to marry him, so I was hoping that as I wink, you will allow me to marry you," he said smiling.

" Dad, you are old, I don't want to marry an old guy, I don't even want to marry you," I said, puffing my cheek like if I am going to cry anytime soon.

" But Anna you are very young, and I don't want a second wife," he said, as he copied me by puffing his cheek also.

I got up from where I was sited and hugged him, " I will marry you, dad " I said and we both laughed, including my mom and my brother that was already there.

As time goes by, my father got ill, and when he was taken to the hospital, the doctor did a test on him and found out that he had an Ulcer and that it's critical.

My dad taught us that we should always put our hands on our shoulder, whenever we don't feel alright, and we should say the word "for we are a strong family" he told us that when we say that word, we would become stronger, and yeah, we believe my dad, even when it sounds wired.

They gave him some medicine to take and he always takes his medication, but on a certain week, he got busy with work and forgot to take his medication, which led to an Ulcer attack. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was already serious, and he couldn't make it.

My mom goes through a lot after his death, she tried her possible best to train me and my brother to school, and that is why I don't want her, to start working again, I just want her to sit back and relax while I work.