DAD!

It was a dark and stormy evening. The dusty clouds filling up the sky. I was on my way back home. I was scared to death that my parents would scold me for being late. So, I took the path less taken which was through a dark dense forest. The breezing and buzzing sound of cicadas reminded me that it was the middle of summer season.

As I was lost in my thoughts over thinking, I could see a young man with an attractive looks walking on the same road, busy talking on his phone. Behind him, I could see an old man looking straight at me with perplexed eyes. I was feeling blue and at the same time strange towards this old man. He sure had finger in the pie. It looked like his head was crooked and had intention to harm me. I was in hot water! In the blink of an eye, the old man chased me while the young man stood like a statue with no intention to help me at all. I was running on empty yet the old man did not show a sign to give up, I was bawling my eyes out.

Fortunately, three gentlemen came out of nowhere. One of them said, “Slow down, Miss.

Relax! What’s going on?” I was happy as a calm and told them, “I was chased by an old man,

I was scared to death. Please, help me! Please, please, please; oh, look over there, that’s him.” Then, the two of them quickly got hold of the old man and brought him to the cops. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Thank God!

I didn’t follow them anymore. One of the three men dropped me home and told me, “Be cautious down the road!” and I expressed my gratitude to him and asked him to convey my thankfulness to the other two men as well. So, I waved him goodbye and then I entered the house; “Louisa, look at your watch. What’s the time now? Are you deaf? I’m speaking to you?” says Dad without knowing about what had happened. “Dad, I’m sorry. You would not believe what happened. The reason why I reached home late at this hour is because I was chased by an old man today, luckily three men came to my rescue and was saved from something terrible that could have happened to me.”

“Air Head! Why don’t you ring up?”

“I was running out of battery!”

“Break it down”

“I’m telling you the truth”

“Whatever, I’m exhausted. It’s time for me to hit the sack!”

“Is that all you could have said? Are you serious? Kill me!”, and then, without my dad’s permission, I went out in the dark, I approached the Police Station where the old man was imprisoned. I was so angry and was longing to fight with someone. “Hey bastard. What the heck is wrong with you? Have you never met any woman in your life? Or are you trying to kidnap and to exchange me with bucks? Hurry up. I’m all ears!” The old man was keeping quiet and did not even raise his eyes from the ground. “Oh, come on!” and then, I took the empty whiskey bottle from the table and threw over to his head. I didn’t intend to do it, I wasn’t sober as I never get the love from my own parents. “Oh my, Jesus Christ. What’ve I done! Oh, I’m so sorry” I cried. His head was full of blood and the cops ran to him while the others were yelling at me. I was regretful for the violence I inflicted upon the old man, even if he’s not a good person. I realized that I should control myself and should not make any decisions while being angry; the kind of thoughts like “Might he die? Will I be imprisoned too?” popped up in my head. I was shivering and wondering about what was going to happen.

Meanwhile, the old man called out for my name. He couldn’t even speak properly as he lost too much blood. The ambulance seems to be on their way. “Louisa, Louisa…” he uttered. “Yes, old man. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t sober at all. My dad never cared for me at all since I was a little child and even after what happened today, I burst out my anger on you” I exclaimed.

“My baby, my friend Joel never cares for you?”

“I don’t get you. You know my dad?”

“Indeed. I handed you to him, my babe. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for delaying to reveal my identity”.

“So, are you saying that you’re my dad?” I took the blow and stood in astonishment.

“The cat’s out of the bag! So, it’s better to speak out. Look at me. I’m not good enough to be your dad. I was imprisoned for thievery for so many years back. Your mom died when you were still a kid. So, the only person I trusted was my best friend, Joel who adopted you. I

gave him a large amount of money to look after you. But oh, that jerk does not treat you well?”

“Oh, oh….” I was speechless.

“Oh, my head”, he holds his head with his two hands. “Baby, my little baby. After I came out from the prison, I have been following you everywhere, always watching you from a distance”.

“So, you did even today, didn’t you?”

“Yes, my baby”.

“Then, why did you run to me all of a sudden? I thought of you as a perverted man. If you confessed earlier, nothing like this would’ve happened”.

“Aaaaw my babe…You saw the guy in front of me, right? Well, I could hear his conversation with someone else…”He paused and holds his head saying that they are planning to kidnap you with their car. He says, “There is an old man behind me, how am I going to deal with him? Why did he appear all of a sudden here?” So, to save both of our lives, I must do so. I’m sorry if I frightened you”.

I was bawling my eyes out. “Why don’t you tell me earlier when we met the three men?”

“Look at me, my baby. I’m not a good father at all. I didn’t have enough strength to come up to you. But after hearing that Joel does not treat you well. I can’t stand it. My angel Louisa, all the house and property belongs to you. I’ve spent my whole life stealing other people’s stuff and all the money I’ve saved has been given to Joel. So, you’ve the right to claim it. You’re the greatest thing I have; Now, I’m so relieved”. He suddenly closed his eyes.

“Dad, dad, please don’t go. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please wake up”, I cried; the ambulance arrived and tried to revive my dad. He opened his eyes only once and said “Cop, please no punishment to my daughter Louisa from the court. My last petition!” And then, he died peacefully.

“No,no,no….Dad. I’m sorry. Please, come back”, but he’s gone; An anonymous writer once said, “ I smile because you’re my father. I laugh because there’s nothing I can do about it”, and I felt that.

Now, it’s already been three years since my dad had passed away. He might be a criminal but he’s the greatest dad I could ever ask for. He reminds me that no one in this world can love a girl more than a father; I miss you, dad!