When I heard dad's call, my ears perched up and all the lustful thoughts clouding my mind cleared up. That was the moment I realised -'WHAT THE F*CK WAS I DOING??' How could I ever do this to Elliot? How could I take advantage of him while he was not in his mind? When..when did I become a rapist ? I stood up abruptly, which obviously surprised Elliot too. He looked at me, confused and puzzled. I gave him an apologetic look but I am not sure that he understood it. I locked the door first and put on my shirt.
I glanced at Elliot who was still petrified in his position, standing by the wall. I knew he was deeply hurt by my actions. After all, for him I was just playing with his feelings like this. "F*ck you!!" I muttered to myself, hating myself for such despicable behaviour. I felt a sharp pinch in my chest seeing Elliot hurt. Why the hell am I like this? Why do I always have to end up hurting Elliot? Just why? - these were the screams echoing in my mind as I exited the bedroom, preventing any eye contact with Elliot. I was just too guilty to do so...
I found Dad standing in the kitchen. He was a broad man, probably twice my size. He had his back on my side but even from behind he was a fierce warrior. He had pitch black hair when I was a kid but shades of grey and white were covering his head.
"Dad !!" I called.
He turned around showing his flat face and wide smile. He also wore a grey beard on his face. Those added strictness on his face when he was serious, but when he was happy they never seemed to hide a smile. Right now, it was the latter one. He opened his arms and I leaped into a hug. I hugged him tightly, probably feeling that this was just a dream and if I lost touch, he would just disappear in it.
"I really missed you, dad.." I said.
"I missed you too, son." He added while patting my back with his heavy palm. No matter how much I grew up, the sheer force of his palms always shook me to the core. This kind of reminded me how I could never grow up for him. Dad was the first to break our prolonged family hug.
"Tell me Zeo, where is Millia? " He asked in a bit concerned tone. And I think I knew the reason. Obrion has probably informed Dad about the attack on us. Though I did not want to tell dad I had let Millia out, even in such situations, I could never lie to dad. It wasn't that I didn't want to lie, it was that I just couldn't...
"Sh-e..is out for some herbs she needed." I told him.
"And you let her go alone??" He asked in a bit of a disbelieving tone.
"Well, she is not alone but.." I trailed off thinking if it was right to tell dad about Elliot and Nathan.
"Zeo, are you hiding something from me?" He asked, raising his one eyebrow. Now this look always melted all my confidence into water.
"W-hy w-o-uld I li-e to y-ou, dad?" I declared, my voice shuttering. This was what I told you about..I just couldn't lie to him.
"Now this has confirmed to me that you are clearly lying. I hope you know son, how much you suck at lying, especially with me. Now just tell me."
"I told you everything dad, everything you should know." I was almost yelling to hide my shuttering behind it.
"And what about the things I shouldn't know???" He asked. Shit! And now I had given him the obvious hint. I couldn't say anything now because I knew if I tried to cover up the things anymore, I would just spill more beans.
"Guess I will have to check for myself." He announced as he went straight towards Millia's room. Shit! Shit! Shit! He would see Elliot and that would be even worse in his drunk condition. There is also a feeling of insecurity twitching inside me. I didn't want anyone to see Elliot in the condition I left him. I didn't want Elliot to be seen shirtless like that, red and flustered like that. I just couldn't bear it.
I ran after dad. Though I knew from the very start that I couldn't stop dad from doing what he wanted to. I may try to drag him but I knew I couldn't do anything more than that.
"I am sorry dad. I lied. Millia is just sick and told me she doesn't want to see anyone." I finally lied flawlessly.
"She is my daughter. I just want to see her." He said in a heavy tone of command and left my hand in jerk. This is not good, not good....
I closed my eyes. Half expecting a loud cry of surprise from dad after witnessing a human in front of him and half expecting a cry of surprise from Elliot after seeing my humongous dad. He would look like small cubs in front of my Dad. But to my surprise, I heard none. I opened my eyes and saw dad was smiling while looking inside the room. I immediately walked up and peeked through the gaps my dad's figure could provide me with.
Elliot was laying on the bed there. Probably, sleeping. His whole body was covered by a quilt, which thankfully didn't let dad see the weak figure. I sighed in relief. Dad turned to me.
"Why did you lie to me about Millia being sick?" He questioned. I needed to think of reason and fast....think....think.
"I just thought you might disturb her sleep." I declared.
"Do you think this old man here has forgotten all manners?" I shrugged. He shook his head in loss and was leaving the room for the living room.
"You know, it seems she has really gone short and weak because of this sickness. Should I check on her." He said turning back again.
"No dad! She will be fine. Just let her rest." I said covering every bit of frustration I was boiling with.
"Bring me something to eat then. There is a rumbling going on in my stomach." He yelled back while leaving. But I wasn't giving much attention to his voice. I walked towards Elliot and sat beside him. I removed the quilt covering his head. I was spellbound by his cute, beautiful sleeping face. His eyes looked a bit puffy. Perhaps he cried. I waved my hands over his hairs and cheeks. I knew there was something about this human that was indescribable for me. The feeling I have for him is not something I can explain in simple words. Words are not worthy containers to hold the waves and whirlwinds of my heart. I kissed his forehead.
"I am sorry, I am really sorry for being such an Asshole, Elliot. I can't ask for your forgiveness for what I have done today but...please...please don't hate me." I whispered in his ears, as I stood up.
I went to the kitchen to bring something for dad. There weren't many options in the Kitchen for me. I have come to realise that long ago. But there were still some strawberries left, I had picked for Elliot. I hope these are enough to silence the big guy for the time being!!
Hardly had dad started eating the strawberries after I made him understand that I still couldn't cook well, if at all, then I heard the door open. And from it, appeared a brown haired girl. It was Millia. Her sight lifted a tension from my head but put another one in its place. She firstly saw me and then her gaze shifted towards dad. Dad was around and scars of confusion were written on his face.
"Dad !!" Millia cried as she threw herself over him. But dad sat there, dumbfounded. ' Wow, Can this day get any worse?' I thought to myself.
"Hey! Zeo is Elliot awake now?" I heard a voice call from behind. It was Nathan. Dad turned to his back, his eyes searching for the bearer of this strange voice. And as soon as his eyes found Nathan, they widened in disbelief. He turned back to me and then back to Nathan. I looked away, that was all my small brain could think of. Millia left dad's arms, not quite understanding his reaction. Nathan walked towards dad. To be honest the difference in their height was really funny. He looked like a mouse in front of a cat.
"Hello sir, I am Nathan. I hope Zeo has told you about me. And if he hasn't, to clear your confusion, yes I am a Human." He said while moving his hands forward to a handshake. 'Where did this guy buy his confidence from?' I asked myself.
So, finally I got my answer. This day can get worse....