My Son's Dad

FORTY SIX

Cherryl ran out of her class happily, she ran quickly towards the gate of her school. She thought her Mama Claudia must have been waiting for her outside.

But Cherryl finds no presence outside of Claudia other than the parents of her other friends.

However it did not make Cherryl's smile fade away, he sat on one of the chairs near the gate. Maybe Mama Claudia's stuck in traffic, so Cherryl has to wait.

It's not the first time Cherryl has waited to be picked up because her parents or her Om have also been late to pick her up, so it's not a problem. Cherry just has to wait.

Cherryl waved his hands at his friends who one by one went home, until his school was quiet.

Cherryl's getting moody, why is Mama Claudia so long?

“Loh.. Cherryl why haven't you come home?”

Cherryl turned his head towards a teacher who stepped closer to him. “Cherryl is still waiting for Mama Claudia. Mama Claudia is a bit late.”

The teacher nodded in understanding, “If there is a need for what Cherryl went inside again. Or want to wait inside?”

Cherryl shook her head, “Cherryl wants to wait here aja Mom, soon Mama Claudia comes.”

“Alright then, Mother went inside yes.” the teacher left, but before really entering the school he gave a message to the security guard who was watching Cherryl, who was watching, make sure no unknown person approaches the child.

Cherryl looks back at the street, hoping her Mama Claudia shows up. Cherryl is starting to feel hungry.

***

Aaron breathed a heavy sigh, he had just finished a meeting. He glanced at his watch which showed it was past lunchtime.

When Aaron's phone rang again, he reached into the phone from his pocket and frowned in confusion when he saw the incoming call from Cherryl school.

“Hall—”

“Papaaaa.. Papa pick up Cherrylll”

“Loh baby, you're still in school. Didn't you come home from 4 hours ago?”

Cherryl just kept crying, making Aaron confused.

“Sorry sir, Cherryl was supposed to be home since 10, but Cherryl said he waited for his Mama Claudia to pick him up and Cherryl waited outside for almost 3 hours and then waited inside, but until now no one has come to pick up Mr.”

“A-what?! Claudia didn't come to pick up Cherryl?”

”Iya Sir, and now Cherryl is crying asking to be picked up. He said he was hungry but he didn't want me to give him food sir, he just wanted to be picked up home.”

“Good Mom, please take care of Cherryl in a moment. I'll be there soon. Thank you so much for telling Bu.”

Aaron disconnected the phone, he was upset, he was angry. Why didn't Claudia pick up Cherryl and let Cherryl wait.

Has Claudia forgotten?

***

“Papaaaaa.” Cherryl screams in tears, running for Aaron's needs.

“Pardon Papa yes dear.” Aaron tries to calm Cherryl down, Aaron knows Cherryl must be upset waiting, sad because he had hoped more would be picked up by Claudia. And must be hungry.

“Papa Cherryl hasn't eaten, Cherryl wants to eat.”

“Iya dear, we stop by later at the restaurant ya.”

Cherryl nodded and got into Aaron's car.

Aaron tries to control his emotions, he is annoyed that Claudia has not kept her promise. Claudia should have picked up Cherryl.

How could Claudia just ignore Cherryl. If something happened to Cherryl, what?

Claudia is right..