The Boy With a Headache

by: M.C. Manaligod

Josh was finishing up for a board meeting that will commence in a few minutes. He works for a company that manufactures perfumes and sells them to big distributors in North America and in the majority of Europe. He strongly believed that the company’s sales would exponentially grow when they add ”La Coeur De Lavande” scent in their product line. He has been preparing for this presentation since the start of the month. Josh knew that this presentation could be his chance for his long awaited promotion in the marketing department.

Since Josh started as a sales agent for the prestigious perfume company, he has used his wit, confidence and enthusiasm to contribute to it's overall success. The first years were certainly undulated. He was able to close some deals but more often he was rejected. With the support of his then girlfriend and co-workers, Josh persevered and never lost faith, which led to his great success in the company. He maintained his credibility by consistently delivering excellent results.

There he was sitting down on his swivelling chair and practicing his sales pitches. He was feeling confident; he was ready to convince anybody of his special lavender scent proposal. Then he whispered, "It's ready, we can do this," while looking to a picture frame just beside his laptop. He was looking at his family picture and in his head; he was imagining a trip he and his wife planned if he got the promotion. They were planning to go to Paris with their five year old kid. He held the frame, focused on his beautiful wife and said, "I'll be kissing you under the Eiffel Tower my love."

An email notification popped out on Josh's computer screen. The title was "Caution to Abduction." Parents were being warned to be extra cautious with their children because kidnap cases were escalating locally. Josh's head started to ache and he got worried because of all the information that he was reading. The image of a beautiful scene under the Eiffel Tower was suddenly replaced with anxious thoughts. His iPhone suddenly rang, it's screen showing that it was the nanny calling. He didn't answer his phone and continued on with the email. His thoughts were becoming darker.

"Josh?" the nanny said hesitantly, her voice trembling. "Your son was just playing in the playground and then...” the nanny continued but the connection started to get fuzzy.

"Is everything alright there?" Josh's mood suddenly became serious.

"It's... your... son... He’s been kidnapped...” the nanny was stuttering. The connection was worsening and all of a sudden Josh just heard a long beep.

"Hello what happened to him? Hello?!" Josh's voice got louder. He pulled himself and stood up, ringed the nanny but did not work. He tried calling again. "What happened?" he said out loud.

Josh went out of his room and rushed to his car. His hands were shaking but he managed to perfectly start the engine. He backed up and started to drift away from the parking lot. He nearly beat a red light and certainly he was going beyond speed limit. All he wanted was to see his son. Revving the car, he took his phone from his coat, dialled the nanny's number and pressed the speakerphones. He was waiting impatiently for an answer but all he heard was voicemail. He was having mixed emotions: anxiety, frustration, impatience and regret. Josh and his wife had a long discussion about getting a nanny but they had a harmonious decision to hire one since both of them are working. But now he regretted trusting his son with that irresponsible nanny. He also regretted why he contributed money for the improved security system of his village. He blamed the security guards for not protecting his child from the kidnappers. He wasn't acting like Josh. His faith and trust was nowhere to be found.

"Hello?" Josh finally answered his iPhone. He was in his office. He shook his head to cleanse his thoughts.

"Your son rode the swing too long and he wants to say hi." the nanny said happily.

"Hey son! How are you?"

"Hey daddy! My head hurts. How's your lavender perfume?"