Daddy's spoiled baby

"Tsk, Daddy, are you really feeling at home there," Salvia clucked in annoyance at some of the parents who called her minutes ago to apologize about the uncertain return info.

"It's a good atmosphere here, Sal. Looks like I want to move here," he replied, making his daughter pout even more.

"Then what about me? I don't want to move, Daddy! I don't understand their country's language," his daughter whined, shaking her head firmly, even though she realized that her father on the other side couldn't express it because they were on a call, not a video call.

"Yes, u can study, dear. After all, I won't invite you. I want to stay here with you, with your mother and your future sister."

"Uhh, why is Daddy so evil! Then who will I be with here?"

"Just be alone. You're already grown."

"Do not want to!" his daughter quickly rejected, prompting laughter on the other end, which made his daughter even more annoyed. "I don't want to stay alone. Besides, Daddy, aren't you worried about me?"

"No, Daddy's girl is great. She can do self-defense. I am worried about people... people who try to harm you, they will definitely get battered," he said, laughing again. Meanwhile, his daughter pursed her lips even more.

"What if I'm a bit naughty here?"

"Yes, leave it be, you take the risk," he answered in a calm voice. "My  children are grown, you are adults. I am sure you know which is good and which is not. I freed you not because I don't love you, but because I don't want you to feel constrained. But only Daddy's message to you, take care of yourself, don't get hurt. Because if that happens, Daddy will never be able to forgive himself. You understand, right, darling?"

With teary eyes, Salvia nodded her head. She very much understood what her father meant. "Thank you, Daddy," said Salvia very sincerely, and the answer given from the other side of the phone was no less sincere, making her smile again. They then chatted about her activities in school.

Eventually, Daddy asked about Devan's whereabouts, causing Salvia to glance to the side, where Uncle was busy with his laptop as usual.

"Uncle Devan is still busy with work," replied her with an annoyed snort. "This is what makes me miss you; Uncle Devan is no fun!"

"Isn't it fun?"

"Yes, it's not fun at all, Daddy. Uncle Devan is also evil. Coming home late from school, he scolded me. Clubbing is not allowed. Even though Daddy never banned me," she complained, glancing at Devan, who was starting to divert his attention from the screen in front of him. "Daddy always makes me happy when I get together with a lot of friends."

"That's it. So you socialize. Get together with those friends. Many benefits come from conversations that are sometimes random and almost meaningless, but later we will realize that apparently what we have discussed in the past as a joke is very useful for life in the future. Besides, we also become good at communicating. Our vocabulary increases, and we learn new things we didn't know before. From unimportant chats, something useful can emerge, even though we don't realize it."

"Well, that's it. But Uncle isn't as open as Daddy. Uncle Devan is too rigid. No fun!" Salvia gave a look back to Devan, who listened attentively, his eyes widening sharply as if he didn't like what she said. Meanwhile, the figure on the phone laughed again, laughing at her annoyance over her life not being as free as when her parents were around.

"Maybe Uncle feels responsible about you, remembering that Papa and Mama left you with him. He is afraid of being blamed if something happens to you."

"But Daddy wouldn't do that, right?"

"It depends," he replied shortly, making Salvia snort again.

"Tsk, annoying!"

"Just kidding, darling. Yes, that's it, I am closing the phone now. It's already night there, right? You must rest. I also still have to finish work. Don't bother your Uncle, he will escape from you."

"Ish, really bad, Daddy! After all, Daddy knows when I love to bother Uncle?"

"No one needs to complain to know that, darling. Daddy knows how you behave!"

Salvia chuckled when she heard her father's words. Her father really knows her well, making her feel lucky to have such a great man as her father.  He played the role of a parent, but he was also capable of being a friend and a brother to her. "Yes, it's over, Daddy. I can't just keep quiet. I've seen Uncle Devan. I want to keep bothering him. Especially when he doesn't want to be disturbed. His sharp edge looks even more adorable. I really want to put Uncle Devan in the microwave to warm him up."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Sal!" exclaimed the figure on the other side of the phone, to which her replied with a chuckle. "Yeah, that's all right.

To which Salvia replied with a chuckle. "Yeah, that's all right. Dad, I'll close the phone now. Someday Daddy will call again. Don't study too hard, take a break once in a while."

"Ish, it's really bad, Daddy! After all, you know when I like to be naughty with Uncle."

"No one needs to complain to know that, darling. Daddy knows how you behave!"

Salvia chuckled when she heard her father's words. Her father really knew her well, making she feel lucky to have such a great man as her father. He could not only play the role of a parent but also be a friend and a brother to her.

"Yes, it's true, Daddy. I can't just sit still when I see Uncle Devan. I want to keep teasing him. Especially when he's trying to work and doesn't want to be disturbed. The more serious he looks, the more adorable he seems. I really want to put Uncle Devan in the microwave, so he stays warm."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Sal!" exclaimed the figure on the other side of the phone. Salvia replied with a chuckle. "Yeah, that's all right. Dad, I'll hang up now. Someday Daddy will call again. Don't study too hard, and take a look at the outside world once in a while so you know the meaning of life. But don't forget to ask your uncle's permission first, don't make him worry."

"Daddy is strange, other parents want their children to stay at home and study to be smart. Daddy instead tells me to wander off!"

"You are already smart without having to constantly keep learning, Sal. You don't have to be a genius to be a useful person. Everyone has their own portion. Moreover, Daddy doesn't want you to be stressed from studying all the time. Just as much as you can, my child. Because ever since you were born, you have made Daddy proud."

"Uh, really sweet, Salvia's Daddy. So I love you even more."

"Love you too, dear. Then Daddy will hang up, okay? Bye, my love."

"Bye-bye, Daddy. Give my regards to Mom and tell her Salvia is waiting for her return. I miss shopping with Mom. Also, say hello to the baby in Mom's tummy. Her big sister can't wait to play with her."

After her father gave his answer, Salvia immediately turned off her phone and dropped herself onto the sofa she was sitting on. She glanced at Devan, who was still busy with his laptop.

"Aren't you tired, Uncle, always working? All this time, Daddy never brought his work home. According to Daddy, the house is a place to rest, relax, and gather with family, not for taking care of work!" said Salvia.

"That's your Daddy, not your Uncle."

"The one who becomes Uncle's wife will definitely get bored having a husband like Uncle."

"Why is that?" Devan asked, staring at Salvia with one eyebrow raised.

"Uncle's wife will feel neglected because Uncle cares more about work. I don't want to have a husband like that. Every day would be heartache!"

"Just keep eating rice. Uncle's money is plenty! You can choose anything you want," Devan objected quickly.

"Uncle's money will be useless one day when more attention is needed."

"Yes, but I won't necessarily stay this busy when he gets married. It's possible that I will change and love his family more. Right now, because there isn't anyone yet, it's just easier for Uncle to busy himself with work."

"That's good if that's the case. Now Uncle is working, yes, but I want to bother Uncle first. My stomach is hungry, I want to eat," whined Salvia, holding her stomach.

"Didn't we just finish dinner?" Devan glanced at his watch, ensuring that not much time had passed since their last meal.

"I ate a little earlier. It wasn't really tasty. I want to eat satay," Salvia pouted.

"Why not just order delivery?"

Salvia shook her head quickly. "Let's take a walk. It's Saturday night, Uncle, and tomorrow's a holiday."

"I  will still work tomorrow."

"No! Uncle has to accompany me to watch."

"When did you say that?" Devan asked, puzzled as he didn't recall making any promises to Salvia.

"Just now. Anyway, Uncle can't work! Point," said Salvia with shining, determined eyes.

"Tsk, whatever you like!" Devan sneered, turning his body back to face his laptop. He didn't resume working but instead closed it. Devan knew Salvia's stubbornness meant she wouldn't calm down until her wishes were fulfilled.

"Eat first or go straight to the movies?" Salvia asked as soon as they arrived at the mall. It wasn't Devan's favorite place because of the crowds, but due to Salvia's persistent whining, he had decided to set aside his work and bring her here.

"Eat first, please. I don't want to end up hungry and unfocused in the cinema," Salvia insisted with a playful grin, earning a snort from Devan. Despite his initial reluctance, Devan acquiesced and let Salvia choose where they would eat. Today, he decided, he would indulge her every whim, as long as it wasn't too outlandish or embarrassing.

They spent no more than half an hour at a café, as Salvia was eager to get to the movie they had planned to see, finally fulfilling their intended outing.