"Hey, boy! Come in here. What are you doing out there in the cold?" Laura called out to her son, Gabriel who she found standing out in the balcony.
"Just a minute mom," Gabriel called back without turning to look around her.
He mumbled as he looked up to the sky.
Once done, he turned and headed into the house.
"What were you doing out there?" Laura asked him once he walked in.
"Nothing, ma," came his response.
"You can't tell me that it was nothing, when you stood there for over a minute looking distant," she queried.
"What's it, honey?" his dad joined them from his room. He was wearing his favourie dark green pajamas. The one he received from Laura on their last anniversary.
"It's Gabriel. I found him standing outside looking ahead and distant," she told him.
"Why? What's up, big man?" he turned to face his son and asked.
"Like i told mum, t was nothing dad," he said.
"Hey, you know you can tell anything. Anything at all. Your momma's already getting worried as you can see. You don't want that, do you?"his dad asked calmly.
"I was only making a wish," he said flatly.
"You were what!?" Laura asked, stunned.
"Wishing upon the star," he replied.
"And what did you wish for?" his dad asked cooly.
"I can't tell you that. It might neutralize my wish," he said, worry lining his brows.
"We don't think so. You never know, we might also join you to wish for same and that'll make it happen faster," his dad said with a smirk.
"Really!?" His eyes shone in amazement. He looked from one parent to the other and they shook their heads in unison.
"Okay, I wished that Phil would return back to school. That his fees will be cleared off," his voice broke as he spoke.
"Awww. That's very sweet and thoughtful of you,darling,," Laurasaid.
"Don't worry, we'll make that our wish too, and you can be sure that your friend will be back to school in short time. Right, honey?" his dad said, looking right at him.
"Yes, yes of course," Laura answered as she cleared her throat and stared at her son with so much pride. He was growing to be very thoughtful and kind.
Back story....
Two days earlier, Gabriel had returned from school looking very gloomy. When questioned about what the problem was, he said that Phil, his friend had been sent home from school for inability to pay up his tuition. That had hurt Gabriel terribly.
Phil was his seat mate and best friend. They'd been inseparable since they were four years old, when Phil had let him share his toys.
The past two days, he grumbled about how school didn't feel so much like it because Phil as absent.
Well, the wish happened on a Thursday. Friday passed without event.
By noon on Monday, Gabriel barged into the house from school screaming excitedly at the top of his voice. It terrified Laura and she hurried into the living room from the sofa.
"What's the problem? Why are you..." she stopped short when she saw the smile across his face.
"The star! The wish, it worked," he answered breathlessly.
"You need to calm down. Take a deep breath and talk to me. What worked?" she asked.
"Remember the day I stood out in the garden, and you and dad joined me to make a wish to the stars, it worked.
It's Phil,mum. He's back to school," he rushed through the words.
"That's some good news. That's really good," Laura said, as she watched him play with a button on his shirt and grinning from ear to ear.
"Thank you, mum. I'd say thanks to dad too when he returns from work," Gabriel said suddenly.
"Thanks for what?" his mum asked, raising a brow.
"For wishing with me so it could happen faster. I'm super happy to have my bestfriend back with me," he said smiling.
"I'm sure you are. Now, go take off your school clothes and come back out for lunch," she prompted him, wearing a smile.
She watched him turn in the direction of his room, skipping happily. Just when he got to his room door, he paused, turned to face her and asked,
"Mum, did you and Dad have something to do with Phil's resumption back to school?" he asked.
The question startled Laura but she had to gather her composure quickly.
"Erm, where's that coming from? Why do you ask?" she returned.
"I, I don't know. It just crossed my mind right now," he said innocently.
"What does it matter? Your wish has been granted, that's all that should matter to you," she stated.
As if, recolllecting himself, he said, "You're right. That's all that matters right now. I'll join you shortly!" he yelled, as he turned the knob, got into his room and shut the door.
Laura stood there looking at the dour he just walked through, warmth filling my heart. Her and his dad may have had a hand in Phil's getting back to school, but there was no need telling him. He should be spared the details. Let him bask in the excitement of his friend's return.
Thanks for stopping by.
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