Aileen
During dinner time, we were talking about how our day went like a normal family. When I was little, Dad would come back from work and we would do the same. But that too, gradually stopped when they started fighting.
The home which was always filled with fun and laughter, turned into a graveyard of silence; along with occasional arguments. My dad who was a ray of sunshine, turned into a gloomy person with a frown overnight.
I wished everything to return to normal, but it was in vain. My dad stopped coming home at night. We would see each other once or twice a week, but even then, he rarely talked to me or Mom.
And one month after that, my parents got divorced. Mom and I left our house and everything behind. Life wasn’t too good then, as we had to struggle a lot, But, Mom seemed less sad after leaving that house.
“Honey, when is your admission?” Mom asked, turning to me. “You’ll be starting college, right?”
“Uh…”
“And which college are you going to attend? Have you decided yet?”
“I”
“I really hope it’s close to our home. You’ve been staying apart for two years already. I don’t want you to stay in a dorm for your studies anymore.”
She didn’t let me talk and instead kept bombing me with a few more questions.
“She’ll be going to Seattle University,” Dave interrupted, turning our attention to him. “And It’s 30 minutes’ distance from our packhouse. And I can drop her at college as well. Pretty convenient.”
“Hm…. sounds good,” Mom agreed, “When can she get admitted?”
“The principal is my friend. I asked him about it today. The last date to apply is in 2 days. That’s why I’ll bring her to college tomorrow to get admitted.”
“I see, isn’t it great Aileen?” Mom patted my shoulder. “Daddy will get you admitted tomorrow. Make sure to get there on time.”
I gave a hesitant nod, looking in Dave’s direction.
I almost forgot for a second, he’s my dad now. Unless someone is reminding me about it, I keep forgetting it.
Mom seems happy I’ll be studying here. But, if she finds out what happened between us yesterday how is she going to react to it?
“Get ready by 8:50. We’ll leave around 9,” Dave replied, staring at me.
“Got it.”
After the admission, he’ll drop me to college every day. We can spend more time together. But first, I need to ask him what’s our current relationship, and what does he think about me?
I can’t proceed any further without making sure any of that.
Dinner time came to an end. After Mom fell asleep I was planning to call him into my room to talk to him.
But, I didn’t have to go through such trouble.
In a few minutes, Mom received a call from the hospital and she had to leave in a hurry. I helped her get ready and went to see her off downstairs.
There weren’t any drivers available this late that’s why Dave went to drop her off. And I was left in this big house all by myself.
I sat on the couch, watching the TV for a few minutes.
Half an hour later, I heard the sound of a car pulling over and I knew it was Dave’s car.
I went to get the door in a hurry. But when I opened the door I was disappointed to see Marshall’s bland expression.
“You? At this time?” I asked politely. “No one’s at home. What do you need?”
“I know no one’s at home. I already called Dave before coming here. He said he’s coming back in a few minutes, just got stuck in the traffic.” He replied, and I noticed he was carrying some sort of a file with him.
Must be urgent office work. That’s why he’s here at this time.
“What did he say?”
“He told me to go inside and wait for him,” He replied with a serious expression, “And accompany you as you might be lonely all by yourself. So thoughtful, right?”
“Come inside then,” I stepped aside, letting him enter. Then closed the door behind him.
He sat on the couch in the living room, putting the file next to him.
” Do you want something to drink? Water? Tea? Coffee? Juice?” I asked.
“Hm…. juice or water would be nice. I don’t drink coffee at night during sleep hours. Ruins my sleep pattern.”
“Uh, alright.”
I went to the kitchen and found a can of juice lying in the fridge so I brought it over to him.
He was busy texting someone on his phone at that time.
I placed the can in front of him and went to sit across him, waiting impatiently for Dave to show up any minute.
When he was done texting he heaved a sigh of relief. Then saw the can of juice picked it up and took a sip.
We were sitting in silence for a few minutes then he asked a question, “How’s life here? Are you able to adjust yourself to the new atmosphere?”
“Well,” I looked down at my hands. “I can’t say I’m used to it completely as it has only been two days. But, with time I think I can.”
“I see, good to hear that. What about your relationship with your dad? Is it doing well?”
My heart stopped beating for a second hearing his question. Why’s he asking that suddenly?
“Uh…. it’s…. it’s….”
“Dave seems quite happy about the fact that you came to live with them. He must’ve wanted a daughter for a long time,” he asserts with a smile.
I looked up to see him grinning.
Dave is happy that I came to live with him. Then, our feelings were mutual from the very beginning.
Does he…. also have a thing for me like I have for him? We had sex but I don’t know how he feels about me yet.
Come back home already, how long are you going to make me wait? We need to talk.
Suddenly, as if listening to my prayers I heard Dave’s voice ringing in my ears.
“Did I make you wait?”
I looked sideways and saw him standing with wet stains on his shoulders and his hair was a little bit wet as well.
“You did. I was almost falling asleep here if you were a second late,” Marshall joked.
I got up on my feet and walked over to his side.
“Sorry about that, I was caught in the traffic because of”
“Was it raining outside? You look wet,” I asked, standing next to him.
Dave looked at me and nodded. “Yeah, a sudden downpour. I tried to come inside as fast as possible but still managed to get a bit wet.”
“I’ll bring a towel for you. Sit down and do your work.” I said, walking away from his side.
“I’m fine, you don’t have to do that,” he yelled behind me. But I had no intention to listen to him.