Half life

Books

"Amanda look over there" Jeff said pointing at the parking space close to the school gate through the window as we sat down and was discussing the upcoming sport festival in school.

"What happened Jeff?" I asked puzzled

"Nothing. Your Dad's here"

" Where? " I asked returning my gaze to his direction

'How was school today?' Dad asked after a long silence as we drove back from school that afternoon.

"Well firstly… fine. Secondly awkward" I answered.

"Huh?" Dad muttered turning towards my direction as he briefly took his gaze off the road

"Yeah"

"Why?" He inquired

"Well… Mrs. Smith asked about mum and why I've been absent from school for days without proper permission and I wasn't sure I could answer the question properly."

I said, pulling at my hair.

" Uhm.." dad stuttered not sure of what to say

" You don't have to worry about whether you answered or didn't it's none of damn business" Dad replied sternly obviously pissed off by my outburst.

"Okay" I replied

And with that silence reigned in the car for the rest of the journey as Dad focused on the road.

It didn't take long before we arrived home.

Getting out of the car I took my backpack and waited for Dad to park the car in the parking space.

"Amanda come over here" Dad said loudly as he got down from the car

"Ok Dad" I said walking towards the parking lot

"Help me keep this in my room" He said pointing at a briefcase on the owner's seat.

"Ok sir" I said opening the owner's side door to get the briefcase.

"Damn. Its so heavy" I said struggling to carry the briefcase.

"It isn't. You're just a lazy girl" Dad said letting out a short throaty laugh

"I'm not lazy Dad" I replied getting pissed off by his laugh

"Fine. You're a strong, intelligent, smart and beautiful girl" Dad said throwing his hands into the air in resignation.

"Wow" I exclaimed smiling sheepishly.

"What?" Dad asked smiling

"Nothing. Just felt like saying something" I replied

"Ok"

"Let's go inside'' Dad added and took the lead while I trailed behind him with his briefcase.

When we got inside the house, Dad walked to the kitchen while I plodded the stairs to his room.

On reaching his room, I placed the briefcase on the table he often used as his study.

I was about walking out of the room when I decided to take a look at the room once more.

Even though it's been ages I last stepped in to this room, nothing has really changed.

The paintings on the wall, the curtains and everything is still intact.

Even mum's protrait is still hanging over where it was placed.

I walked over to where the protrait hung, and began to run my frail hands over it in admiration.

With mum smiling broadly in the protrait and revealing her fine set of teeth, she seemed to be looking at something in awe with those hazel eyes of hers.

Taking off my gaze from the protrait I tried to recall the last time I came to this room.

It was on a weekend and Mum was still around.

I was actually in search of her when I decided to check out their room.

When I got to their room I saw her mopping the floor and putting things in order.

I then helped her out with the cleaning while she focused on arranging the room.

That was the very last time I came to this room.

Walking towards the door, I turned and took one last glance at the protrait and then walked over to my room.

On reaching my room, I changed into a pair of black trousers and a blue T-shirt then stormed out for the sitting room.

I got to the sitting room and saw Dad sitting in front of the TV and punching meticulously away on his phone while soft music played from the speakers beside the TV.

"Busy again?" I asked sitting beside Dad on the sofa.

"Not really. I'm just replying to the numerous mails piling up in my email" Dad replied taking his gaze off the phone.

"Oh I see. Seems like professionals like you in your field get too many mails than you can attend to." I said

"Not really, just that it's always work related." Dad replied.

"Oh" I exclaimed

"Yeah" he replied and continued typing away on his phone.

I stared into space and exhaled deeply in exhaustion thinking of what to do next.

"Dad what are we having for lunch?" I asked fidgeting with my fingers.

"What do you want for lunch? " Dad asked

"Just anything" I replied

"Anything?" Dad asked to be sure

"Yeah. Just anything" I replied reassuringly.

"Ok I'll quickly place an order then." Dad said

"By the way. I'm thinking of getting us a maid.

What do you think?" Dad asked sitting upright.

"Well I think it's a good idea considering the fact that I can't cook neither can you so I feel we need a maid." I replied

"Well let's see how it goes"

Dad said in finality.

"Ok I…" I made to speak but paused when a knock sounded on the door.

"I guess the delivery person is here already" Dad said looking up

"Probably" I said standing up to answer the door

On reaching the door, I peered through the keyhole first then opened it.

There he was, beaming with a charming smile and smartly dressed in a flannel white shirt neatly tucked into a pair of purple trousers.

"Good day Sir and how may I help you?" I asked flashing him a nervous smile.

"I'm Pedro. I'm here to deliver a package" he explained without losing those charming smile of his on his face.

"Okay. Let me call my dad then" I said keeping a straight face.

"Okay. I'll be waiting" He replied while I shut the door and walked away to call Dad.

Dad got there and didn't spend much time before coming back with the package in his right hand.

"Here we go" Dad announced dropping the package on the table while he sank back in to the sofa.

Standing up I walked over to the table and unwrap the package and when I did it was just noodles and a pack of juice.

I let out a sigh, hitting my head with my left palm in disappointment. I wasn't expecting this for lunch.

I mean just anything else but not noodles for crying out loud.

After much hesitation I picked up the package, got a plate and dished out some noodles and ate while Dad continued with his typing till I was through and went back inside.