The Children Of Thalia

Raindrop

Our father sat there quietly. He was an old man with a warm smile. He was also nice to our neighbors. He is well known in the city for often helping people and is active in a number of community activities. However, precisely because of his attitude, we are always reluctant when dealing with him. Especially me, the most troubled kid in this parlour.

"Sit down, eat first a warm curry made by Lee. Don't you like him a lot?"

With my heart pounding I stepped closer to the dining table. Slowly I sat down. So nervous, I tried not to make any sound when shifting the chair. Uh, shit, I think my appetite's gone. I keep putting my face down. I think my mind that had calmed down was again tangled.

"Why? Aren't you hungry?"

"Ah, no, I-I"

I raised my face as my father spoke, but my words were cut off when I saw him. Dad covered his wrinkled face with both wide hands. His tone sounded serious, but his attitude was completely opposite, making me think of just one word.

".... Why?"

"Why what?"

"Closing faces?"

"Dad thought you'd be nervous to be glared at while eating, so dad covered his face. Let's just say dad doesn't exist."

Ah, true. Our father was like this. His attitude was serious and decisive when educating us, friendly and generous with a smile when chatting relaxed, jovial and hyperactive when playing with children, but sometimes, he was like this. His attitude is sometimes very random for unpredictable times.

That's why we love him, think of him as our own father. Because we feel that's what a father would do at random times. His actions seemed to break the tension between us.

"As if, it's like your face is creepy."

I was a little surprised to hear it. His face was unique, so expressive that I could clearly see that he was shocked, plus a gesture that also seemed to express what he felt.

"Do you think you can't be a strict person?"

"No, dad's just not cut out for a fierce guy."

"so yeah. It's hard to be Lee."

I choked a little when Dad said that. I hurried my hand to get a glass of water. Lee, it wasn't me saying, yeah. That's our father, but I agree too.

"It's more of a talent than a born, I guess."

We continue the conversation. Dad talked a lot about various things while I ate my food until it ran out. I take another glass of water, I gulp slowly, really slowly to buy time. I know I'll talk about Helder after this. I put the glass on the table while Dad was still continuing his chatter. Good, I can prepare myself and catch my breath.

Not really, haha. The sooner it's finished the better.

"Hey, dad, don't you have a more important topic to discuss?"

Suddenly, he stopped talking. He was silent for a moment. He didn't think I was going to cut the conversation. I know, I don't believe it either, but I don't want to measure time anymore. I'm tired, I want to go to bed, because it's better to get this done now.

"Not as patient as usual, yes." Said father while chuckling.

"I knew. That's why I want you to just start."

Dad nodded strongly. He leaned his back against the chair. His facial expression changed. He's serious, I can tell that. The nervousness crept back into my shoulders. When his face lifted again, I gulped a little, preparing for what he was going to say.

"You know, Theo......"

".... Yea?"

"Dad knows how much you love your brothers. I understand, because you feel the same way. I think Lizzy and the others are like my own children. But.. If you see the weather has deteriorated, immediately go home, no need to think about buying souvenirs to make yourself rain. What if you have a fever?"

"Huh?"

"Eh?"

We looked at each other, confused. What'd he say? Is this about me coming home late? No, I know it's also important, but isn't there something more important to discuss?

"Wait, dad. I know I'm not right now, but there really isn't anything more to discuss?"

After a moment of silent thought, father's eyes opened wide as he remembered something.

"Oh, that's right! About work! I know you're putting Lizzy's happiness at the top of the line, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be too fixated on me to forget yourself. Just focus on school, enjoy your youth, dad—"

"No no no, not that." I shook my head at the same time as I swung my hand. Did you really not know? Or not want to talk about it? But it's also important to discuss. "Dad knows about me Helder invited, right? The father received the invitation letter. You also know I don't want to go in there, right? Don't you want to talk about that?"

Our father looked at me again with an innocent face as if he knew nothing. It feels like I'm the weird one here. Isn't it too impossible if you don't know anything? Does he really not care if I go to Helder or not? So what did he say this morning about wanting to talk to me?

Dad's face changed again. This time he looked away a little. Just for a moment. His eyes looked back at me again with a peaceful look, as if some strange warmth was emitting from him, making me calm down as well.

"Well, about that. I thought you didn't want to talk about it, so I just walked by."

Just be right.

"Don't want to talk? Why do you think that?"

"Because I've heard the explanation, the details from Val. I'm actually a bit sad because you don't talk to me right away, but maybe you'd rather talk to your brothers. If asked honestly, I disagree with your decision. Like I said, prioritize yourself next to your sister. There's dad here, there's Val, there's Lee, and your brothers who care about Lizzy. You don't have to worry if your reason is only Lizzy, but I know you have another reason to reject Helder. I don't know what the reason is, but I do know it's important to you. I won't force you to tell me if you don't want to, but tell me if you feel like telling me just a little. Dad never and never will force you to get into a certain school, you have your own choices. If you don't want to go in Helder, let it go. A good school is not just Helder. I'm sure you have your own picture of your future, and I appreciate that. Well, I used to want to talk to you about this, but I think Val's explanation is enough. I understand your reasons, so already, the talk about Helder is over."

I was made speechless. My eyes were still focused on the father who took out a glass of water after speaking at length. My mouth is open, but I can't make a sound. Shortly after, my eyes rolled at the corner of the old dinner plate on the thick wooden table.

I know dad does look like a typical wise old man. I also know he's socially intelligent, it's recognized by society. He is also an open-minded person and does not rush into making decisions. But I never expected to be advised like this. As I recall this time, from the time I lived in this orphanage, only now do I feel truly counseled.

Unknowingly, my grin widened on the face that - I felt - had already begun to glow again. My mind's confusion is gone. Why didn't I tell my dad about this a long time ago? Maybe I can finish things faster.

"Maybe too, father." I muttered involuntarily. I think dad heard it too because he started smiling. Ah, let it be. I also have to praise this old man.

Oh, that's right too. Where are Lizzy, Lee, Val, and the others? I know I'm late, but I guess they'll still be playing around here.

"Where is Lizzy?" ask while looking around.

"Oh, right too. I almost forgot about that. Tomorrow we'll go to Argon. Val there is SMA registration, all of us take it with us while walking for a moment. Your brothers went to bed early after hearing that."

"Maybe, then I-"

My words were cut off by the sound of a doorbell that resounded shutting the splashing sound of rain outside. Father immediately got up from the chair as soon as the sound of the bell came to a halt.

"Father, you just clean up the dining table. All right, look at whether the curry in the kitchen is still there for guests or not."

I nodded and replied, "okay. I can't believe there's a guest in this rainstorm."

"Hahah, maybe our neighbor." replied the father from the next room.

I cleaned the dining table; stacked the dirty dishes and tidied the tablecloth. Maybe dad will take his guests to eat later, I'd better refill the water here.

The thunder exploded as if it was mutually unpretentious. I know this morning's weather forecast says there's going to be a storm tonight, but I don't think it's this bad. While carrying the plate, I approached the window first.

A brief burst of light allowed me to see the dark garden for a moment. Just a glance, I couldn't see it clearly, but I saw it. A group of people stood in front of the fence, waiting. But the fence was open. The fence I was sure I locked when I got home was wide open.

The sound of such a loud explosion sounded like a sky whip, making the chest flinch slightly. The plate I was holding fell, breaking apart strewn across the floor. I was stunned for a moment, trying to be sure that I just misheard it.

"Dad?"

My feet slowly stepped into the living room. Shaking my hand with cold and worry. Unknowingly I accelerated my steps. I hope it's just a mishearing, I hope they're just regular guests. I hope that the other voice I heard along with the thunder was just my feelings.

"Dad?"

My footsteps led me down a short hallway to the living room. I reveal the curtains that close the living room to the family room. My feet are cold, my fingertips are cold. My body was fixated unable to move, my eyes immediately looked at the figure of the old man who fell on the floor with blood pooling. In front of him, outside the door, three hooded men stood up, one man clutching a gun that was still smoky, and the father bleeding from his left chest.

I can catch what happened, but my body can't move at all. The man raised his gun slightly up, then pressed the trigger. In a flash, I felt a sharp sting, followed by a feeling of heat flowing out of my body.

...* * * * *...