Just a Child

i could hear a child babling away, whining, complaining, seeking attention...

He wakes up at 6, lies on his bed quietly until it is time for his feed. He eats his cereal and drinks his milk. Satisfied, he hums to himself. He is good for awhile before he decides to cry out for someone, for anyone. He is agitated. He is uncomfortable.

No, he does not want to be carried.

He just wants someone to scratch his back... it is itchy. When he sees someone approaching, he will quickly turn to his side, as best as his clumsy movements could allow him to, and wait for that soothing touch.

"Ah, that is good. To the centre... uhm, that's it. Now, scratch the left side. No, no, not there, more to the left," he ordered.

"Okay? Do you still feel itchy? Can i stop now?" i asked.

"No, not okay. It's okay only when i say it's okay. Not okay yet. Now to the right. Yes. There. I want the circle. Do the circle," he demanded.

"Is that okay? Have you had enough? Can i stop now?" i asked, after some time.

"Mmmm... okay, okay. No more itch. Okay, okay. Thank you very much," he said, grateful.

He slowly turns to his back and lies comfortably in his bed.

He is happy. He is comfortable. He is satisfied.

He hums to himself again, his lullaby...

And his humming slowly fades...

He is sound asleep, again.

My dad is asleep...

My heart cries.