The Father

Pha! I know where Yo is now. — Ming.

His heart was racing. He had no idea how he could look his mother in the eyes if she found out what had happened. He couldn’t tell for how long he had been holding the doorknob before he finally decided to enter the house. There was no one in the living room and the house was as silent as the university’s library during the vacation period. Thinking about the library and all the time he had spent with Pha in there made Yo even angrier.

– “How could he?” – Yo thought to himself.

At this point, Yo is doing the best he can to not cry. He doesn’t want his parents to see him crying. What will they say? He never felt so ashamed in his whole life.

Still standing in the empty living room Yo wonders if there is anyone home. The smell of cleanliness was incredibly pleasant. Suddenly he was back in time. Before he had gone to university. Before he had met Pha. Sitting on the couch with his mum and dad. They’re watching a funny show on TV. They are all laughing so hard. No worries in Yo’s mind. Gosh – he misses that time so much.

– Honey, you’re home! – Mali says gently.

– Hi, mum – answered Yo with a sad voice.

– What happened? Are you okay? – she asks.

Hearing those words coming from the person he loves the most in the world. Her gentle tone just melted any barriers Yo was still holding to prevent him from crying. He felt the tears rolling down his face. He couldn’t say anything anymore. He felt her arms around him. She held him tight – just like she did millions of times before. That warm feeling was exactly what he needed at that moment.

Mali is sitting on the couch with Yo’s head resting on her lap. Even though Yo is lying down on his mother’s lap, he simply can’t face her. He doesn’t know how to tell her that he let himself be fooled by Phana – twice. How could he be so naive to believe Pha outside the cinema room? How could he ever go back to university after being exposed by Pha that way? He never felt so betrayed and so lost at the same time.

Yo was lost in his thoughts when he heard the footsteps. He could recognise those footsteps anywhere. His father always walked so firmly. His dad was usually the one who defended him when Yo would do something wrong. Mali was usually more severe. Even though she always comforted him in the end. This time something was different. The look in his father’s eyes was so angry. Yo feared his dad’s reaction for the first time in his life. Has he already found out?

– Wayo! Can you explain this? – demanded Kiet whilst holding his phone in front of Yo with that picture on the screen.

Yo sat up straight on the couch. He couldn’t believe Pha had sent that picture to his dad. What a bastard! Hasn’t he done enough? Suddenly, he heard his mum’s voice.

– What’s the matter with that picture? – she asked Kiet – Yo is a grown man.

– The picture is not the problem here, Mali. The issue is that this picture has been spread all over his university’s walls – he said.

– Dad, who sent you this? – inquired Yo.

– It doesn’t matter, Yo. Why did you let yourself be exposed to these kinds of people? Get up. We’re leaving – Kiet ordered.

– Leaving? Where are we going?

– We’re going to pick your things up. You’re not going back to that university.

– But dad. I…

– No buts. Let’s go. I’ll wait in the car – Kiet said while storming out the house.

Yo looked at his mother’s eyes before following his dad to the car. He could feel she was disappointed. But she didn’t say anything. She was just looking at him with sad eyes.

– I’m sorry – Yo said before leaving.

Mali wasn’t really mad at Yo. She was just wondering if taking him back home was the right choice. Perhaps it would be better for him to stay away from the university while things calm down. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard the doorbell. Who could that be? She wasn’t waiting for any visits. Mali opened the door and saw that handsome young man looking back at her. He had something nice in his eyes. For some reason, she felt comfortable with his presence.

– Hello, I’m Phana. Is Yo home?

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please leave your comment down below and don’t forget to follow the blog to be notified when I post the next chapter. There is a follow button at the bottom of the page. Love you all. – Ryu