Just like a twinkle in the eye, my father got released. I remembered the day he was arrested for selling marijuana. I thought that day would never come, but the day really came.
"You know dad is getting released today, right?" Lily asked.
"Yes. It is going to be a big problem if he sees Diane. What should we do?" I replied with the question.
"Is Diane still indoors? Has she not made up her mind to come out?" She asked.
"Yes. She said she would be moving out soon. I don't know where and I can't stop her. I am really clueless. " I replied.
"I don't feel like seeing that man. Who knows what he is plotting?" She said.
"Exactly. Firstly, let us insist Diane is a guest. We should not make mention of her living with us. " I suggested.
"What about mother? What if she tells him? Honestly, I don't think we have a choice. I can hear footsteps. The man is here!" She replied. The both of us sighed, put on a fake smile and stood by the front door to welcome my 'so called' dad. He did not change. The only thing that differed in him was his mustache.
"Oh god! My children are already grownups. " He said as he patted us on the shoulders. He went ahead to the living room and had a seat. "The smell of home, I miss it so much." I looked at him in disgust pondering if he was really my father.
"Exactly. What would you like to eat? I cooked everything for you my darling. " My mother said. Even though she seemed hard, one thing she always had was love for my father.
"Anything, my dear. " He replied. As I and Lily sat opposite to him, Diane came out of the room. She must have heard my father was around and decided to exchange pleasantry. I prayed not for the worst to happen. But, I could not change my father's character.
"B***h! What are you doing here?" He shouted. It was like he knew her from somewhere. I did not know where Diane would have known my useless father.
"Dad. She is a guest, why did you call her a b***h?" Lily asked.
"Guest? Even if you want to bring in a guest, why not someone sensible? Why this b***h? Get out of my house right now!" He shouted. Diane rushed into her room with no emotions. To my surprise, my mother said nothing.
"Dad, you can't just call my friend a b***h." I said.
"Since when have you been making friends? Do you even know who she is?" I did not know what he was talking about but I knew something for sure, my father was involved in one way or the other with Diane's mother's death. He must have known Diane through that and because he might not want to be in trouble, he feigned anger.
"Who is she, exactly?" Lily asked.
"Well... You children cannot understand. How dare you bring a stranger to my house! Nonsense!"
"Dad, calm down. Diane is not a stranger and she's been with us for months now. Mother did not seem bothered, why are getting so worked up?"
"Listen Ewan, I don't know who gave you courage but this girl is negative. Look at her. So sly!" I did not understand what he meant by every words he said and I did not seem to want to. There was nothing to do to make my father keep shut but he kept on blabbing.
I knew the day was not going to be really good. I wished my father was rearrested. I rushed to Diane's room only to see her packing her bags.
"What are you doing? Don't take what my father said to heart. He is known to be like that but he is actually nice. "
"I told you before, I was going to move out. Though I have no plans, but since the situation came sooner, I have no choice than to accept it. "
"If you go now, where will you be headed to?"
"You are not the only one I have. Apart from my family, I have people who can take me in. People who trust and listen to me too are out there. Don't think you're the only one. "
"But still, you can't just go like that. We promised each other, we even signed a contract. Even though you no longer want to avenge your mother's death, at least, live with us. It will take time to appease my father but I can promise you that you will not have any single problem living with us."
"I can't live here. You know that. Your father seems to have an huge grudge against me. And I cannot also stand looking at him. He is acquainted with my father in a way or the other. He might also be involved with my mother's death. Seeing him brings bad memories. It will be the best for me to move out. " At this point, there was nothing I could do. I could not go back to the past and make my father responsible neither could I wish my father was never born. If I did wished, what assurance do I have that it will be granted?
"Thank you so much for everything you have done. I will try to pay you back someday. " She concluded. At that moment, Lily entered.
"You are going nowhere, Diane. Fine, you have convinced Ewan but it won't be easy to convince me. " Lily said.
"Lily, move out of the way. I have to go. "
"I am eleven years older than you. You are going nowhere. "
"Fine, I won't go. If anything happens to me, it is you both faults. " She replied. It was quite a surprise that she gave up so easily.
"What? Just like that?" I asked.
"About my father, I will try to convince him. Don't you worry. " Lily said as she left the room.