Outing Season

She was thinking of a way to convince her parents. It was her only chance to go out on her own. She was thinking of all the excuses she could make but she knew that no excuse would change her parent's minds. At that time, she started to curse herself" for not standing up for herself. An inner voice echoed:

"You're old enough to go on your own. Tell your parents that you are not a 5-year-old child to be taken care of."

But at the same time, she thought to herself:

"My parents work really hard for me. They have loved me and given me everything I wished for. I could not hurt their feelings."

She was lost in her thoughts when she realized that her food was to be taken out of the microwave. She put her cell phone down, took out the plate from the microwave, and went to the dining table to eat. While eating, she was thinking of ways to convince the manager to not go.

"Convincing the manager is much harder than convincing papa. Let's leave it. I'll say that I can not go because my parents are sick", she thought while taking a bite.

She finished her food and started watching TV. She saw many different restaurants and cuisines of Japanese culture. It increased her desire to go there and she decided to convince her parents.

Her parents came home only to find her back before them.

"Hello!", she said.

"Hello, baby. Why are you home early?",Memona was concerned.

"I asked for a short leave."

"And they gave it?"

Fiano was confused as well.

"Never mind. Should I give you something to eat?"

"No. We have eaten. Have you?", said Memona.

"Yes."

"Okay.", said Fiano.

"I'll go to sleep."

"Okay", said Fiano.

She was about to go to her room when she realized her feet trembling. She mustered up courage and went to her father.

"Anything else?", said Fiano.

"Ummmm....papa...."

"Yes?"

He started stammering.

"We are going outside for our campaign."

"Another outdoor shoot! Uh! These people really want my girl to die in this hot weather.Well....Where are you going?"

"Japan", she said in a very faint tone.

"JAPAN!!!!"

"Papa! We are going to work."

"How would I be satisfied?"

"Papa, It's just a matter of a week."

"A week!!!!!!!!"

Fiano was angry.

"What are you people up to now?"

"Let her go, Fiano. She is a grownup. She knows how to handle things. By the way, it would be helpful for her career.", said Memona holding Fiano's shoulder who was in a fit of rage.

"She doesn't know. That is why I don't let her go anywhere by herself."

"But papa"

"No buts! Go to your room this instance!"

"Okay."

Sia's eyes were filled with tears and she went to her room. She could hear Memona and Fiano quarreling over whether she would go or not. She hated herself for being a bone of contention. She admitted the fact that she could not go and went to sleep.

The next day, she went to work in a bad mood. There, she met her BFFs.

"Hey! I've submitted my passport. ", said Nat.

"Hmmm", replied Sia.

"Only 4 days are left. Both of you should hurry up.", replied Nat.

"I'm not going."

"WHAT!?"

Both Lisa and Nat were surprised.

"How can you miss the opportunity, Sia?", said Nat.

"She's right. Fool, this would be helpful for your career.", added Lisa.

"But I didn't get the permission."

Sia wanted to tell them how desperate she was for going there but didn't.

"Try to persuade them. You are not going there for fun."

"Yes, if you couldn't talk to them, we will."

"Good idea."

Sia was speechless. They didn't know that Fiano never took back his decision, but she wanted them to experience why she was afraid of him. Moreover, if he gets convinced, she would have a chance to go.

Lisa and Nat came to her house after work. Memona cooked delicious snacks for them. The trio was chatting when Fiano entered. He was having a saw in his hands. The girls became nervous. He was quite a sturdy man. They remained quiet for a while then Lisa started talking.

"Uncle, We want to talk to you."

"Yes?"

"Please let her accompany us to Japan."

"Please uncle! She won't be alone. We would be with her."

"No."

His tone was mild but it pierced the girls. After a lot of quarrels, the girls were unable to persuade him. Lisa and Nat went home. Sia went to her room. There was complete silence.

The next day, when Sia woke up, she found her passport on her side table. She was puzzled. There was a note on it. It read:

"Nothing is more precious to us, baby. Do what you want. We love you."

She was surprised. Her parents were giving her permission to go out. That was unbelievable. She got ready and went to the office to provide her passport. Finally, it was her time to live a normal life.