“So, Daniel…”

Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Do you like my daughter.”

“Yes, sir.”

I could see the collar of his pink silken shirt getting wet. I had told him that my father would be home for dinner. He had suddenly decided to come in formals. I felt so self-conscious sitting there in my casuals. I saw my mother eyeing my father’s dress from time to time and looking at Daniel, her eyes filled with adoration.

“Of course he does. They’re in love,” my mother crooned.

My father cleared his throat.

‘No, daddy. It’s nothing like that. We’re good friends and he understands me. That’s all,” I tried to cover up.

“Come on,” mother latched on to my father’s hand. “They look so cute together.”

My father tried to look serious but failed, seeing the condition of Daniel.

“Boy, why are you so nervous?” he gave one of his full-throated laughs.

“I…Ummm…N…No,” he stammered.

‘It’s okay,” I leaned over whispering in his ear. “My father is very liberal about such things.”

“Come on Daniel, no need to be afraid of my old man,” said mom, reaching across the table to hold his hand.

He gave a nervous smile.

“I don’t have a problem with you dating her,” my father turned serious. “But. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. My Phoebe is not an ordinary girl. She’s different…”

“And that’s what makes her special. I know my responsibilities and I will abide by them,” Daniel interrupted.

My mother looked at me and winked.

I stifled a giggle.

“Okay, fine.” my father threw his hands in the air, “let’s have dinner. Serious talk is over.”
Beside me, Daniel sagged in relief.

I got up from my chair and went and whispered to dad, “You’re the best.”

He pulled my hand and made me sit on his lap. He cuddled me as I kissed his cheeks.

“You’ve lost weight!” he exclaimed.

Daniel’s head shot up, alarmed,
“What!”

“Oh George,” my mom nudged him, “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s eighteen and burning away all those baby fat.”

“Baby fat?” I was scandalized.

My mother suppressed a smile.

“Baby fat?” I repeated again.

“I didn’t say anything,” my father pretended to look at the ceiling.
I could see a smile forming on Daniel’s face.

I glared at mom before getting up from father’s lap and sat down beside Daniel.

“So, how many days has it been for the both of you?”

That was dad, playing the role of a typical father.

“She met him at college,’ my mother answered for me.

“Okay. That’s great. But why am I the last to know?”

“For your kind information, you’ve been away for the business tour and didn’t even attend your daughter’s eighteenth birthday. You know how she missed you,” my mother accused.

‘I’m sorry pet and you know it.”
That was addressed to me. Yes, I knew it, but did it make a difference? I actually missed him.

I didn’t want to upset his dinner mood and so I simply shrugged.

“Okay, now is the time to have some drink,” dad opened the bottle of wine.

‘I’m sorry. I don’t drink,” Daniel mumbled

“You don’t drink? I don’t believe it…”

“He doesn’t,” I interrupted, “besides, his family is very strict in these regards.”

Daniel gave me a ‘how did you know’ look which clearly stated we had a conversation to make.
“Fine then, help yourself to the lettuce.”

I could see that my dad was impressed.

Mission one successful.

“So what do you like to do?” asked dad, his mouth stuffed with salad.

“I love to study and I love to play music.”

“Hey, you never told that to me!” I sounded indignant.

“Shit! I just ruined the surprise,” he muttered under his breath.