Half life

The Chief Chef

“What did I just hear you say dad? Do you want to poison me huh?

If I wanted to have poison for dinner I know where to get it dad.” I said casting dad a cursory look.

“Just hold on and see my lady. The taste of my meal will set your tongue wagging and asking for more. I’m a super chief chef with whole lot of recommendations and as a matter of fact I’m gonna show you how pros make magic in the kitchen.” Dad boosted ceremoniously gesticulating with both hands while I looked on eagerly, trying to suppress the laughter that was brewing right inside my mouth like hot Italian coffee.

Perhaps he could really do all other house chores but definitely not cooking. Mum never told me that dad could actually cook and I have never see him cook before so I was surprised when he said he was going to make something for dinner. Maybe this whole dinner wouldn’t be anything but a bowl of oats and some other random snack, I thought.

“Amanda you’ll do me a favor” dad cooed softly with a slight tone of seriousness in his voice.

“And that is?” I asked anxiously while mopping at dad face as if I could the answer from his face.

“You’ll go upstairs, take your shower and have change of clothes then rest till when dinner is ready. Would you please, my princess? Dad asked politely with furrowed brows after making his request. I nodded slightly after exhaling deeply.

“That’s good of you beautiful lady.” Dad remarked sharply and kept smirking. Dad’s so cunning he doesn’t want me to see how he’s going to prepare his so called dinner with those pro magical cooking skills of his.

“Jeez if only I had a choice anyway” I cursed underneath my breath and sighed.

“Dad!” I called out softly making a puppy like face.

“Yes sweetheart. What is it that bothers my princess?” dad asked smiling broadly like a tout that just won a multimillion dollar lottery ticket.

“ Can I put up here a little more then go upstairs afterwards please?” I requested starring intently at dad to give me ago ahead.

“It’s fine, if that’s what the best daughter in the whole world wants’’ dad replied wittingly and made to leave for his room.

“Any other thing, Your highness?’’ Dad asked coldly with a sarcastic tone.

“That would be all for now Mr.” I sighed and replied while dad kept smirking as made to climb the stairs.

I’m quite surprise to see dad this way. It’s so strange and unbecoming of him. Like the dad I know would never smile talk more of being playful and jovial as this. When mum was still around most times you’d see him smile only when he is in a very good mood and those time were very rare. It only happened on special days like when he secures a contract or when he comes back from one of those numerous long business trips of he’s. Well I’d hope he just doesn’t change anymore because I prefer this new version of him. It’s totally cool and nice.

“Let me have change of clothes ma’am. I’ll be right back in a jiffy.” Dad added calmly breaking me out of my thoughts and began to climb the stairs meticulously. I smiled and returned my gaze to the left corner of the sitting room

“Damn I’m tired already and jeez seems like the day went out in a hurry” I mumbled almost inaudibly to myself and began to have another round of silly thoughts.

I haven’t even had a proper meal for days except the one at the hospital when dad came visiting the first day at the hospital. The other days were full of weird delicacies from the eatery at the hospital. The doctor even recommended that I ate only meals prepared in a healthy environment to aid the healing process of my injured head and so I couldn’t even get dad to order me meals outside the hospital.

I couldn’t even eat lunch when we got home I was carried away with the garden and of course thoughts of mum. I just really want to see her again maybe once just to ask her all the questions clouding my mind. I want to know why she had to leave me alone, why she didn’t show up at the hospital when I was lying there in pains for days, and then perhaps I’ll plead with her to forgive dad and come stay with me too. It’s so lonely out here all alone and yes dad’s trying his very best to make sure I don’t feel her absence but it sucks to realize I’ll never get to see you again mum. I miss you so very much mum, even though you don’t care I still love you.

I sniffled and stopped thinking when I noticed my breathing became shallow and my eyes were beginning to moisture with tears threatening to fall off anytime soon from its socket. I wasn’t going cry not anymore. Not for someone who doesn’t care about my feelings. I got up from the sofa and headed for the stairs in anger at least so I could cool off my head a bit in my room and perhaps get some sleep as well. I was only few yards away from my room when I heard dad’s door quake and immediately dad smiling broadly, emerged well shaven and looking rather ravishing in a pair of shorts and grey shirt to match and filled everywhere with the smell of his favorite cologne. Guessed he took his bath as well and did shave. I looked on and smiled sadly trying to fight back the rivulets of tears that have gathered around the corner of my eyes.

“Guess my lady is tired already huh?” dad asked amidst short grins

“Yes I want to rest my head a little bit. I’m so tired and feeling dizzy”, I managed to reply absentmindedly.