Let Panda Go [Fiction]

“Sit still!” Becky yells at me, crumbs of ground cereal flying out of her small mouth to stain my white coat. Argh. I very much want to move my fluffy paws and wipe away the crumbs. Now it feels itchy. And Mama just bathed me yesterday because she wouldn't.

She pokes my ear with her spoon and plops down beside me on the window nook to continue her munching business. I puff and puff in annoyance (of course, no one can hear me) because I don't want to stay with her anymore.

“Becky? Are you ready—” She stops chewing and we both gaze up in shock. Mama freezes seeing her seven-year-old daughter eating cereal from a bowl. “What is wrong with you? I said we'll soon go out for some yoghurt and you went on to fetch yourself some cereal.”

I glance between mother and daughter even though they can't see me doing so. Yeah, this isn't going to end well. I wish I could laugh out loud at Becky. She looks mortified, frowning and sticking out her lower lip.

“I don't like yoghurt. Bob does so go with him,” she mumbles, staring into her bowl. Mama walks up to her and takes the bowl from her. “Hey!” She tries to take it back.

“Enough of your silliness, Becky,” Mama says but she's angry. “Now, you'll clean up, wash your hands and meet us downstairs immediately. Yoghurt is healthy and better for you.”

Becky starts to make a whiny noise that is irritating as Mama walks out of the room. “Don't make me come up here again.”

She stomps her feet and screams at the walls. Ugh, I roll to my side and fall to the floor. Let's see if I can hide so she doesn't take out her tantrum on—

“You, silly, silly bear!” Becky jerks my ear and sits me back on the cushion. Despite Mama's corrections a million times that I'm a panda and not a bear, she continues to call me a bear. “This is all your fault.” There we go again! “You're not helping me at all. Maybe I'll find a new pet, huh? Then you'll be sorry and miss me.” Ouch. She head-butts me and I roll to the floor on my face. She walks away to wash her hands.

When she comes out of the bathroom, she drags me by the ear and goes downstairs. We squeeze into the back seat of their car with her twin brother, Bob. Mama gets into the driver's seat and starts the car.

“All buckled in?” She asks, glancing back at her children and their nods of agreement, she begins to drive. I notice her brows furrow for a second but she says nothing! Doesn't she see me squeezed unceremoniously behind Becky?

I've always been indoors. On no occasion has anyone taken me out of the house before. I have a bad feeling about this trip to a restaurant.

We arrive at the restaurant and a young man walks up to us, speaks with Mama for a second and guides us to a table. Becky quickly moves to another table at the far end of the restaurant and just dumps me on a seat. I watch in shock as she rejoins her family quickly, flashing Mama a bright smile while the woman gives her a questioning look as they sit down.

Only Bob notices me sitting all by myself in a corner at the far end of the restaurant. He chuckles but Becky places a finger on her lips, silencing him. Mama glances between the two of them and shakes her head with a smile.

Now I'm really sad. I sense they will eat and leave without me. It means I have no home anymore, though being with Becky these past two years has been unpleasant. What do—

“Look, Mom! Let's eat at that table. It has a Panda.” A little girl, the same age as Becky, I guess, pulls her mother to the table where I'm sitting. Ummmm, I'm not sure about this girl. She may be just like Becky. She….oh! She sweetly pats my head and draws me into her arms before burying her face in my neck.

“Sonia, stop. Don't do that,” her mother warns with a chuckle while gesturing for the waiter. “Does this panda belong to you?”

“No, ma'am. A customer must have left it here. It's so adorable,” the waiter replies with a smile. Finally! I hope Becky heard that.

“Mom, can we keep him?”

The mother, a beautiful, petite blond, smiles at the waiter. “Uh, I'm not sure darling. The owner may come looking for it.”

“No, they won't. Please, Mommy. I want him. He wants me too,” the girl chimes into my ears.

“Don't be silly, Sonia. Can we have three yoghurts and a slice of cake please?”

“Certainly, ma'am.”

I sigh with relief only to see Becky scowling at me from their table. Mama is paying for their lunch and they are about to leave.

I see the hesitation in her eyes as she chews her lower lip. Then she storms towards us. Mama follows after, confused and trying to pull her back. “Becky! Come back here.”

“That's my bear,” she cries, stretching out a hand as Mama grabs the other hand. The two mothers look at each other and their daughters. Uh-oh. Sonia holds me tight to her chest and gives her mommy the puppy eyes. “Don't let them take Panda away. I want him.”

“But he's mine!” Becky yells.

“Stop that and behave yourself,” Mama says and surprisingly Becky calms down.

“I'm sorry but we found it here,” Sonia's mom explains. “I assume it belongs to someone who ate here earlier and forgot it.”

“I'm surprised to see the panda here. My daughter usually keeps him at home. Why did you bring the panda with you?” Mama turns to Becky. “Now see what you've started. You have many stuffed animals at home. You can let this one go.”

“But…”

“What did I teach you about kindness?”

Becky's lower lip trembles as Mama waits for her response. I hold my breath too. “O-okay, she can have it,” she whispers.

What? Sonia and I gasp at the same time.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” Sonia says, hugging me tighter. At this rate, I may suffocate but I'm not complaining.

I watch as the mothers smile and exchange some pleasantries before Mama pulls Becky away. Repeatedly, she glances back as they leave the restaurant. At the door, she waves at me with a sad smile.

Sonia waves back for both of us with a wide grin.

What I See

A big size stuffed panda sitting by itself close to a table with three cups of yoghurt and a slice of cake.

What I Feel

The panda looks sad, like it's been abandoned.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short story. It's my response to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words contest. You may click on the link to participate.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{Image credit: @wakeupkitty}