A woebegone child

I had just given Taufik a dose of the nebuliser. He had been feeling unwell these last few days and it was a matter of time before his asthma acted up. For an extremely active and boisterous child, he was subdued and a little quiet this evening.

We read, as we do almost every night, in bed under the covers of the duvet. Thumbelina, was the story of choice and it so happened that the swallow she befriended in the story was from Denmark. Naturally, Taufik’s thoughts turned to his much adored, faraway father. His lips began to tremble noticeably, and he buried his face in his soft pillow.

“I miss Far, Mommy.” he said in a woeful and muffled voice. “I miss Far so much.”
“I know darling.” I said comfortingly, patting his back.
“Mommy, did you know that Far lives all alone? And even at work he is all alone. I am so sad for him. My Far is so lonely.”

After that no more words, just quiet mewling sounds as my son cried for his father and himself.