Chapter 6

"Dad, have you seen my eyeliner?" Angel asked

"Your what Darling?"

"My eyeliner." She groaned

"How on earth would I know where it is?" And why is it so important?

"Dad... A woman's appearance is her topmost priority. No matter the situation or occasion, she must look her best. Don't forget that." She lectured.

"Ugh, you're not even old enough to be called a woman yet." I groaned

"Dad!"

"OK, okay. Fine. Where last did you see it?" I asked her.

"Uhhm.....that's the problem." She told me

"I take it everywhere. I can't say were exactly I last saw or not see it." She explained

"Gosh, can't you make do with what ever makeup stuff you have? I could get you another one later."

"No, I-"

"Angel, at this rate we won't make it in time to catch the movie!"

"But my appearance is important. Don't you know the saying,"You'd be addressed the way you dress "?

"I do. But, you could still give a good first impression without your eyeliner." I tried to make her see reason.

"It's not that." She began.

"It's my personality at stake here. Gosh! you won't understand even if I speak it in baby language."

"Exactly. 'Cause baby language can't really be understood. You know why? 'Cause it's a bundle of gibberish nonsense."

"What a mature move dad." She commented

"Anngeel!" I drawled out.

"Dad we are gonna watch a bad ass movie and I wanna look like the movie star."

"Seriously?" I asked.

Looking at my beautiful daughter, I don't know what to do to convince her. Boost her confidence. I mean, how do I get it across to her that she would rock whatever she wears , whenever she wears it? How do I tell her that even with this display of anger and frustration she's playing out. She look's badass and cute all in one. Does that even make sense?.

I was about to put all my thought into a one line sentence when-

"What's all this noise I'm hearing?"

"Yup! Trust my loving mother to always cut my words shot." Note the sarcasm.

"Granny, can I borrow your eyeliner? Please?!" Angel begged.

This girl! She didn't even let me speak!

"Oh, sure darling. Was that what all this fuss was about?"

"Yeah." I said. Frustration written all over my face. "I mean, why can't she do without something as minor as an eyeliner?" I asked my mum.

My mum gave me a disappointed look. "Don't ever call any of a woman's makeup aid a "minor thing" every bit of it is worth more than you can imagine it's her instrument of perfection."

"Thanks Granny, that's what I've been trying to explain to him." Angel cuts in.

"Never mind your father dear. Men are so oblivious."

"We so are not." I dead panned with a scowl.

"Look, we are gonna be late again. Angel, hurry up!!"

"Just a minute dad."

Now taking my time to observe my mum, I said.

"Where are you going all dressed?"

"Oh, my love and I are going on a date! Isn't it so romantic?" She gosh.

"Ugh, I will never get used to seeing you like this." I groaned.

"Where are you going and when will you be back.?"

"I don't know where we are going. He said it's a surprise. But about me coming home, I don't know. You know, in case things get heated....which it will, I would not be home till tomorrow."

"Yuck! Besides, that's the day of your engagement!! You can't be with him a night before."

"Why not?. I'm not some youth. I'm not gonna pretend I am."

"Those rules don't apply to me." She dead panned.

"Mum..." I began

"No, don't start with me. You're such a party pooper."

"No am not!"

"Yes you are. And that's 'cause I'll be getting some tonight, while you baby sit Angel." She grinned.

Grams, I'm not a baby! And I would love it if you keep things PG13 around here."

"And dad, you should really consider getting into a relationship."

"No. I'm okay like this." I said

"You're sure? She said coming closer to me as she gestured for me to bend down to her level."

As I did this, She brings her lips close to my ears and I feel my self shiver a little. Maybe it's due to the heat her breath brings to my freezing skin.

She whispers into my hears and I froze.

"Is that why you watch porn and make those groaning sounds at night dad?"

"Oh my Goodness.... No, it's not what you think...I started to defend my actions."

Embarrassment written all over my face. While I see Angel give me an innocent look.

"Oh my goodness. I so did not make any groaning sound!! And even if I did, it was probably due to pains I got from my stressful day at work! I whisper yelled."

Forgetting that my mum was still with us, I was glaring at Angel and trying my best not to blush in embarrassment. (In which am failing miserably)

How on earth does she know what porn is? And how did she hear my groans. I was sure I did those at the very late hours of the night. She shouldn't be exposed to stuff like this. she's barely 11!!

"Can someone tell me what's going on here?" My mum asked

"Oh, I was just reminding daddy about the movie and how late we already are." She said giving me a knowing look.

"Yes mum, we got to go. I played along." Don't you dare judge people. I had no choice.

"Mum, can I drop you off some where? " I inquired.

"Nope. He'll be here to pick me up. Have fun guys!" She answered.

"And you too Grams. But don't have too much fun." Angel said while she winked at her grandmother.

"I'll try. Same goes for you as well." Mum responded with a hearty laugh.

"Love you mum. Be save." I said in a more calm and composed tone. Trying to forget what just happened few minutes ago.

"Implied honey. I pray that my preparations are all worth it by tomorrow ." She whispered.

"They will. I assured her."

"Okay, bye."

As we got into the car, Everything fell silent.

"Dad...."

"Do you really want a mother Angel? "

"Uhmm, not really."

"No, give me a directly answer 'cause I need to know."

"Am I not enough? Am I missing it somewhere?" I asked

"No it j-" she began.

"Then why do you insist I get into a relationship? I can pretty much take care of you than any other woman could. So why would you wanna share my attention with someone who isn't even your real mother?" I asked pained.

"Daaad!" She called.

"It's when you put it like that you make it hard for me to let your live your life."

"It's not that I want a mother so badly. It's just that I see this deep longing and loneliness in your eyes even when you're trying to act all good and happy."

"You are still young. Live a little. I want you to be happy. Because I love you and you mean the world to me..." She concluded.

"Even when you say you hate me?" I asked. I just needed to know.

"Yes....even when you're being unreasonable." She told me

"Hey, mind your language young lady."

"Geez, way to kill the mood dad." She told me.

"Angel, I love you too. Aside mum, your all I have left. And my happiness lies in your happiness. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Then I would be happy, If you make an attempt at a relationship. It doesn't have to lead to marriage like grandma's."

"Ugh, when did you became so wise? " I asked.

"Since the day I was brought into this world dad. You were just a little bit slow to realise it." She just had to smart mouth me.

"Are you calling me dumb?" I faked my annoyance but couldn't help the smile that edged the sides of my mouth.

"Your words dad, not mine." She replied.

"Smart ass..." I mumbled.

"Well, thank you." She said with a smirk.

"Angel," I called

"Hmm?" She answered.

"About what you whispered into my ears earlier..." I began.

"What about it?"

"Let it end between me and you. No one must hear this. Not even mum."

"Oh, that's a hard task. It requires encouragement." She told me.

"Ugh...are you gonna blackmail your own father?" I asked.

"Life ain't fair" came her response.

"How much?" I gritted out.

"50 bucks"

"What?! Hell no!"

"No deal then. I can't wait to tell grandma."

"Fine! 50 bucks it is."

"Thanks dad!" She said with a toothy smile.

"Sly devil." I muttered

"I heard that!"

"Angel,"

"Yes dad."

"We won't make it in time for the movie."

"It's okay."

"We could watch whatever movie is available. As long as it's not too cliché. It's spending time together that matters."

"Angel..."

"Ugh?"

"Thank you...."

"Love you to dad..."

"Let's go catch that movie?" I asked

"Absolutely!"

And right there I knew that no matter the situation, my joblessness, as long as I have my loved ones around, I have everything...

Tomorrow's gonna be a good day....I can feel it.