Three Days Ago...
My date with Rema yesterday, didn't go as I wanted it to. I wanted him to tell me he loved me and that he wanted me to be his girlfriend.
And probably get a kiss.
But none of that happened. He kept acting strangely after I had told him, my parents didn't tell me about anything. He was worried about something, yet it seemed like even he wasn't so sure what it was. Then again, there was that fear that crawled up my spine the moment he mentioned my parents.
What is going on?
My parents were no help. They both stared continuously at each other worriedly. None of them were able to tell me exactly what the problem was.
Maybe Kelvin could help me?
No. Kelvin wouldn't help me even if I was dying. I wouldn't waste my chances with him. I would try my dad.
Leaving the comfort of my room, I walked to my parents' room and knocked softly at the door.
"I hope it's not Kelvin!" My dad warned from the room, causing me to giggle, forgetting my ordeal for a moment. Everyone was wary of Kelvin. The boy was too stubborn and always caused trouble for everyone.
"Dad, it's me," I announced.
I heard shuffling from within the room and a few seconds after the door flew open. "I am a sorry baby girl but I have to keep this door locked at all times because of your brother," my dad said pulling me into the room before safely locking the door again.
I balanced my glasses and fixed my attention on the disaster in front of me. The room was in a mess. The cream bedsheets were littered on the floor, a huge pile of my mum's clothes was carelessly dumped by the bathroom door and blots of water were all over their carpet.
My mum's shampoo and hair conditioners were also in the littered mess and I could immediately tell she hasn't seen this, yet. The room and the entire house would have been in a worse state if she had seen it. My mum didn't joke with her hair products. In fact, she didn't joke with her hair.
"Did Kelvin do this?" I said positioning myself on their bed and looking around the horror.
"Yes!" My dad said, his hands placed on his waist, "the rogue placed a lizard in my bathroom!"
"What!" I jumped, standing on the bed now, for safety. "Have you found it?"
"No, I haven't. The reptile is as intelligent as your brother! I should catch it before your mum gets here," he said and moved into the bathroom.
"That boy isn't my brother," I whispered, settling back into the bed.
My dad reemerged from the bathroom and moved closer to the bed. "Xena, what is it?"
"I don't know, dad. But everything seems to be wrong. You and mum have been acting strange. Even Rema was acting strange. I should be asking that question." There was fear in his eyes but he quickly covered it up with a smile.
"Xena, everything is fine," he said hesitantly.
What could be happening that will make my father scared? Even my mum has been strange and she is the strongest human I have ever met. I mean she takes care of Kelvin!
"Dad! What are you hiding? You are scaring me!" I screamed.
He stared at me as if considering telling me the big secret they had all been hiding. Silence filled the room and I almost gave up on it when, the room vibrated with laughter —my dad's laughter.
I blinked my eyes in shock and watched him. What is going on now? He kept laughing. He laughed so hard that there were tears in his eyes.
"Your mum would probably kill me. . .but I'll tell you."
A big smile grew on my face and I almost started a fit of laughter too. Finally!
"We are planning a birthday surprise for you!" He announced joyfully spreading his arms over his head dramatically.
That was it?
"Oh!" I uttered quietly.
Every year my parents threw me a very big birthday party like I was an only child. Kelvin threw a lot of tantrums but my parents paid him no attention and over the years, he stopped complaining and took to pranking everyone.
Every year, my birthday was celebrated in grand style. My dad always said it was because I was a special child. Now, a surprise birthday party shouldn't cause them so much headache and stress. I expected the secret to being something... else.
The secret couldn't have been a surprise party! I get parties every time!
"Dad, I am- sorry, I made you spill the secret," I said, looking into his eyes, searching for a clue.
"Don't you ever be sorry, Xena?" He held onto my hands and shook his head like he was trying to remove the words from his ears.
He pulled me into him and hugged me tightly. "Nothing will happen to you, I promise," he said.
"Huh, dad? What are you talking about?" I tried to come out of his strong grip but he refused to let me go.
"I'll die a thousand times before I let them do anything to you, nobody would hurt you. I will always be here for you," he declared. I could feel his heart beating at a very fast rate in his chest and his body was shaking.
Something is very wrong here!
Using all my might, I pulled away from his hands and tried to hold him still but he got up before my hands could reach him and wiped his face.
Is he crying?
"D-dad?" I got up too and reached out for his hands, my heartbreaking.
I loved my dad more than anything in the world. Seeing him worried made me sick. Plus this wasn't just a minor thing, my dad was red-eyed in front of me!
"Don't mind me, it's one of those dad moments!" He said, smiling and sniffing at the same time. "My baby girl is all grown up!" He added awkwardly.
"Dad! This isn't funny anymore! Please tell m—" I froze. I couldn't finish the sentence.
There is a lizard behind him!
But in my shocked state, I noticed there was a rope attached to its mouth, pulling it slowly towards the window. I looked closely at the reptile and noticed it was actually a fake.
Kelvin!