289: REMINISCE FLASHBACK ARIEL’S POV As we stepped onto the lush green golf course, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement mingled with a tinge of apprehension. I glanced down at Lukel, his eyes wide with anticipation, clutching onto his miniature golf club with all the determination of al champion. “Are you ready, buddy?” I asked, trying to muster up as much enthusiasm as possible. “Yeah, Mommy! I’m gonna hit the ball really far!” Lukel exclaimed, his face beaming with excitement. I chuckled nervously, hoping that Lukel’s joy would compensate for my complete lack of golfing prowess. “That’s the spirit, champ! Let’s do this!” Approaching the first hole, I realized that Lukel’s idea of “hitting the ball really far” might be slightly ambitious. His swing resembled more of a wild flail than a calculated stroke, and the ball barely rolled a few inches ahead.. “Good try, Lukel! Remember to keep your eye on the ball,” I encouraged, trying to sound as supportive as possible. He pouted, frustration evident on his small face. “But Mommy, it’s too hard!” I knelt down beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. Golf can be tricky at first, but we’ll figure it out together, okay?” Just then, a familiar voice interrupted our conversation. “Looks like you two could use a hand!” I turned to see Andre approaching us, a wide grin plastered across his face. Last time I checked, Andre was good at these things, and his mere presence on the course made me feel slightly more at ease. “Hey, Andre! I didn’t know you were here,” I said, relieved to see a friendly face. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world! And who do we have here?” Andre crouched down beside Lukel, extending a hand. “Seems like you’re not good a golf little buddy.” Lukel shook Andre’s hand. “I’m totally bad at it. Maybe because I’m still a little kid.” 289 REMINISCE Andre chuckled, tousling Lukel’s hair affectionately. “Don’t say that. I can help you become a pro in no time.” Lukel’s eyes lit up with excitement, his earlier frustration fading away. “Really? You’ll teach me?” “Absolutely! But first, let’s see that swing of yours,” Andre said, gesturing towards the ball. With Andre’s guidance, Lukel’s swing gradually began to improve. Andre patiently corrected his posture, demonstrating the proper technique with ease. As Lukel’s confidence grew, so did his avidity for the game. “Wow, Lukel! You’re a natural,” I clapped my hands, watching in awe as Lukel sent the ball sailing across the green. Andre chuckled, giving Lukel a playful high–five. “See? I told you that you had it in you!! Now, let’s tackle the next hole.” For the rest of the afternoon, Andre became Lukel’s personal coach, guiding him through. each hole with patience and encouragement. With Andre’s help, Lukel’s swings became more controlled, and his shots grew increasingly accurate. The time went on and on, a lovely moment, and I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride watching Lukel’s transformation. Despite our initial struggles, the day had turned into a memorable great experience, thanks to Andre’s kindness and expertise. “Thanks for everything, Andre,” I said, smiling gratefully at him. Andre waved it off with a grin. “Anytime, Ariel. It was my pleasure. And Lukel, remember what I taught you today. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the next golfing prodigy!” Lukel beamed up at Andre, his eyes shining with so much glee. “I’ll practice every day, just like you said! Someday, I’ll be the best golfer in the world!” The three of us burst into laughter, and Andre carried Lukel, making him sit on his shoulders. END OF FLASHBACK “Don’t forget those moments now, Andre, when all of us would go on to different places back then at Canada. Lukel would snatch your phone and take pictures of the both of us, like we were a couple,” I/vocalized to Andre, trying to let him know how Lukel was so important in our lives, I brought out different moments, different occasions, divergent times, Lukel and Andre spending so many times together. I was trying to make Andre see things from my perspective. Because it hurt. It hurt so much, taking my mind back to those great memories, the little angels with me, smiling faces, lovely voices, wonderful actions. Now going back to reality, one was gone. And he was never coming back. So tell me, shouldn’t I put an end to the scumbag responsible for his death? “Or have you forgotten the time when the four of us went to the Cinema, and Lukel was laughing so hard while we were watching the movie, and the mad granny close to us keep on telling him to shut up. Have you forgotten about all of that?” I asked Andre, my tone rising a little. “Wow, Lukel was really a lovely soul,” Andre said lowly, and I could tell every single word. was sinking inside his head. Because they needed to, he needed to see the pain I was going through. He needed to see how broken I was, even though I kept laughing. He needed to get the clear picture, he needed to know why this vow to end Mason’s life was never going to be broken. “Yes, he was indeed a lovely soul. But your brother killed him. He also wanted to kill me and my daughter. But we were lucky, it’s all thanks to God that I’m standing here alive.” “I don’t even know what to say.” Andre’s voice was very low. He sighed, driving his hands through his hair. “I miss Lukel, and it’s really painful to have the knowledge that it’s my brother who killed him. Lukel was like a son to me.” “I know that,” I spoke in hushed tones. “He was like a son to me. And that son was taking away, by my own brother. Why did Mason have to do such a thing? Why?” I could see the conflict swirling in Andre’s eyes, the pain mirrored in his expression as he grappled with the reality of his brother’s actions. It was a heavy burden to bear, knowing that someone so close could inflict such irreparable harm. “Mason is cold, brutal, heartless, he did what he had to do. And right now, all I can focus on is making sure justice is served. Lukel deserves that much.” Andre nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed on the ground. “You’re right, Ariel. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’re going through. And if there’s anything I can do to help, anything at all, just say the word.” His offer of support touched me deeply, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this fight for justice. “Thank you, Andre. Your friendship means the world to me.” 200 REMINISCE 414 We stood in silence for a moment, the weight of our shared grief hanging heavy in the air. But amidst the pain, there was also a glimmer of hope–the hope that together, we could find closure and peace for Lukel’s sake. “Andre, I think I’ll need your help in this one,” I finally spoke up, steeling myself for what was to come. “Mason has to pay for what he’s done. And I just need to know if you’re going. to stand by me.” “You want to kill him, Ariel.”
