|
Logan Niadin continues his "Journey of Hope" series and I personally hope it never ends. I would like to read on and on about Richard. If you've been following this series and enjoying it, please leave a comment and let the author know it. If you've missed the previous stories, catch up on them here . Without tainting this story by me writing anymore, here it is - The Vow. The Vow
By Logan Niadin
The Rego house was full, it was Easter Sunday and all of Richards’ aunties, uncles, cousins and the family's friends, came round, for the day. There was Duck curry--- cooked specially by his aunty Enid, there was pork, and doll with drumsticks, junglee pilau, and plain mince cutlets and potato cutlets, aunty Noreen made her famous chapattis (at least ten layers to peel off) and of course Richard's favourite "coconut squeet".
The gramophone was wound up and there was dancing and singing and laughter. It was the best Easter ever. Later a "very merry" uncle Wilfred would sing his favourite song, "let me call you sweetheart" and burst into tears, as he came to the last line "I'm in love with yoooouuu---Boo Hoooo boo hoooo sob sob snort snort". Seems his bride didn’t turn up on his wedding day, so he moved to Bangalore and took to drink. Now he was a confirmed bachelor.(well, that’s what the Aunties were saying) Richard grew tired and found a place to nod off to sleep, his Dad picked him up and put him on his bed, covered him up and kissed him. "Good night my son" he said "I will not let you down".
He went back into the living room and called for quiet. He put his arm around his wife's shoulders and said. "Thank you all for coming here today and making it such a happy, joyful Easter for Richard and the both of us. But I'm going to need your help even more over the next three months or however long-------when it happens!!----- I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!----" He had to stop and gather himself. He didn’t want to break down now, he had to be strong! --"I want to tell you that I have made a vow to Our Lady Of Velankani.----For one month, every day after work, I will go on my knees from house to house asking for alms for Our Lady's church. We will go to "Negapatam" and I will stay on my knees, until I have received communion and asked Our Lady to save our son." Everyone was choked up, there were tears in everyone's eyes. Enid, openly crying, came and kissed the both of them. "We will help you --- we will pray for you -- with you. God bless you".
The whole community in KG, rallied to the Regos and their sick son. Times were hard, the contributions were small but many. Richard's Dad stayed true to his Vow. His boss changed his shifts in the mine, so that he only did earlies. He would come home from work, wash, dress, have something to eat and go down on his knees in front of the altar and pray before setting off to ask for alms. He was never alone, there was always a group of family and friends, in support, saying a Rosary, constantly praying. Sometimes Richard would go too, though he used to wonder what was going on, why all the attention? He would grow impatient with all the hugging and kissing. He seemed ok really, like a normal seven year old. Soon he was asking to go to school. He missed his school friends, and all the games he played with them. Like, the cigarette pack game, or seven tiles or butch (hopscotch) or watching the girls skipping to "salt-- pepper -- mustard -- vinegar --- chilly chilly chilly chilly chilly, but mostly he missed his class teacher Mother Ann, who always took time, when teaching him how to draw. Dr Jefferson told Richard's Mum and Dad it wouldn’t be a bad idea, so off he went to school.
He came in from school one day, and walked into a hive of activity. All his Aunties and Uncles and Cousins were there. "We are going on a long train journey tomorrow Richard, that’s why everyone’s here, to say good-bye "said Richard's dad. "Are we going to "shandy day" (market day) at Bowringpet?" asked Richard. "No --further" said his dad, knowing that Richard enjoyed playing the guessing game. "Are we going to umm---- Bangalore?" His Dad shook his head. What could be further than Bangalore? "London --- L-O-N-D-O-N spells London, we are going to London, London, London." "No my son, we are going to the seaside." said his Dad, smiling at the look of wonderment that slowly covered his son's face, he wasn’t expecting that. "The Seaside! The Seaside!" he said jumping up and down with excitement. Richard had never been to the seaside and now the questions would never stop. "Please dad, can I go and tell Noel". "Ok, but don’t stay out too long, you need to be in bed early, because we've got an early start." said Richards Dad.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
Written by placid003 on 2008-01-18 09:56:58
 | pufffff.....
Written by monique on 2006-06-10 02:34:30
Good to know that Richard is doing OK, wonder what is coming up next for Richard.... | GajaBeedi!
Written by Guest on 2006-06-09 02:36:01
Hearing of a father's cry (vow) to the lord for the child to survive through a story. Very touching indeed. So far so good. When is the next part coming up?
Can't wait to read the next part. |
Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
