Candle In The Wind

Chapter 5*little talks*

     "Uncle Mikey?"  

Maha called for the attention of the police officer that has been with her since she regained consciousness, the news of her parents death was devastating for her so much that Maha had cried herself to sleep,she had woken up hours later crying for the comfort of her family, and Michael together with the blonde nurse has been trying their best to make her happy. Yeah they will never be able to fill up the big void existing in her heart, but they can atleast try to make her smile for the time being.

" yes princess, do you want something"  Michael asked with a broad smile on his face.

" what will happen to me now uncle Mikey, I'm I staying in the hospital forever?" little Maha asked unsure of what fate had in store for her, she grew up knowing just her small family, they never visited any relative and no one visited them either, she was also aware of the fact that her mama wasn't  from the states, although she never knew the reason why her family didn't have any relative, she didn't actually think it was neccassary to ask her parents about it, now that she had no one, she couldn't help but wonder what will become of her.

Michael stretched his hand to ruffle her hair playfully, sooner or later Maha will have to accept reality has it is,and he has no idea if the little girl will ever be ready to face real life.

" no Maha the hospital is meant for sick people you know that right, soon as you get well and strong,you'll be taken to your papa's relative upstate, and they're also excited to have you"  Michael replied half lying not wanting to sour her mood..

Maha heaved a sigh shaking her head slowly " papa don't have relatives uncle Mikey, it was just us, no one else, no grandpa or grandma"  maha whispered fighting back the sob that was about to rip out her throat, "everyone has  relatives Maha, maybe your parents were just busy to contact them, but I'm sure your papa relatives are still alive and they're coming to get you okay,?"  Michael replied in attempts to comfort Maha, he knew Mr Richardson had relatives infact the Richardson are one of the richest families in California, the reason why Maha's dad had never visited his relatives with his kids was beyond Michael, and he couldn't place his finger on why maha's grandparents still hasn't showed up yet.

" if you are right uncle Mikey why aren't they here yet, I've been awake for 5days and they haven't shown up" Maha questioned, she might be young and seen as a little child, but she had always have the mind of an adult, people far away would qualify Maha as an introvert, but if you meet her up close and she considers you a friend Maha can be very very outspoken and speak like an adult most of the time, and she has always been one curious kid, always asking the why's and what's of situations and that was she was doing to Michael..

Michael needed to think for a second what perfect excuse he could come up with, " that's because they've been busy Maha, you see your grandparents are very rich people, and they need to tidy up somethings before coming, plus they have to go to the district to sign some papers for your custody, so yeah that can take time you know"  Michael replied applauding himself for being such a smooth talker, who would have thought his brain could function this fast and accurate... Still jubilating within himself that he was able to convince  the little girl and successfully put her mind at rest for the time being, he didn't fail to hear the silent word (" maybe they don't want me)  Maha had mumbled to herself, casting down her head in defeat..

" really Maha, what makes you think they don't want you, they're your blood why won't they want a princess like you"  Michael asked feeling bad.

" because I'm not like papa, Tobias is colourful like papa, papa has fair white skin like Tobias, but Maha is not fair like papa, and not dark like mama, Maha is Brown skin, kids in school always laugh at me for not having fair skin like Tobias and Papa, and Maha don't know why, maybe that's why Grandpa and Grandma don't want Maha because Maha is brown skinned"  Maha replied Michael in a third person singular point of view, revealing her insecurities a tear rolling down her face as she wiped it away quickly.  Michael was displeased with this new found information...

Why do parents these days not teach their kids against bullying other kids cause of their skin color, making the poor girl already having insecurities at this tender age, for her to think her grandparents don't want her due to her skin color, thinking she is inferior, Michael was angered, how he wishes to visit the girl's school and scold those little devils who made her have these kind of thoughts,..

Masking his emotions, michael smiled brightly, reaching out his hand and raised Maha's chin up with his fingers

"take a look at me Maha, what is my skin color" Michael asked smiling. Maha confused as to why the officer had asked her such question, isn't his skin color obvious why is he asking she thought.

" white uncle mikey"  she answered nonetheless.

" I'm white and your nurse is blonde, despite the difference in our skin color have we ever treated you differently or made you feel like your different or below us" Michael asked once more,

" no uncle Mikey you are nice, always making me laugh and you buy me nice stuffs, and you play with me"  she replied smiling.

"Good,.... Michael nodded before he continued.

" listen to me Maha, and I want you to always remember this, do not let anyone downgrade your or belittle you because of your color or gender, your gender or color isn't the ultimate criteria of being a good human, your heart and perspective about life is what matters, anyone who wants to shame you because you have different color, tell that person to suck it up and kiss your ass, you are perfect the way you are and you should be proud of that, because you're beautiful, adorable, precious and lovable, you should wear your color with pride no matter what anyone thinks, your happiness and what you think is all that matters, okay."   Michael blew a breathe not believing he had just said all that,wow he would make a good life coach he thought to himself laughing within.

Maha held his gaze for a while letting everything she just heard process through her brain, before smiling brightly at him.

" I am beautiful and precious the way I am, I am brown skinned and proud of it" she said to herself without loosing the smile and joy radiating on her face..

" yes you are little princess, be proud of who you are, promise me you'll never forget that"  Michael requested of her, matching her smile, seeing as he had atleast succeeded in making her smile.

" I promise uncle Mikey, I'll never forget, to have confidence in myself" 

She cheered earning a high five from the police officer,

" that's the spirit princess, that's the spirit" Michael laughed as Maha lunged forward engulfing him a bear hug..

"Thanks uncle Mikey you're the best"