The Faithful Heart

Don't Call Me Dad

Thank goodness everything went well. I never thought it would be this easy. Huh. All the burdens in my heart just disappear. This is the moment I have been most looking forward to during. Father, yes this man is my real father. I want to keep repeating calling my father to replace the call that never said to my biological parents. Thank God, you have made it easy.

" Let's go fishing. We still have a race to finish. Or have you admitted your defeat?" kiss Russell while wiping away the remaining tears on his face.

" Who's afraid? How could I admit defeat so easily? I never back down from a challenge." God insisted.

" Good then. You deserve to be my son." Russell patted his son on the shoulder with pride.

" Thank you for coming to this place. Thank you for acknowledging me as your real father. Thank you for not hating me, the dumbest man ever, for never knowing about the whereabouts of his own biological son. Thank you, thank you, hiks hyks." Russell was back.

" Is my apology still worth saying? Sorry, sorry, I'm sorry. Hiks hyks."

" No, no, there's no need for an apology between father and son. You don't have to apologize like this. Nothing to forgive." The god hugged his father's body.

" Hey come on, isn't this a happy thing. Why it must be full of tears. Let's stop this. Tears will make our good looks closed. I don't want to look ugly." snorted the God as he chuckled on the sidelines.

" Huuuff you're right. We shouldn't have been drowning in tears." Russell took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

" Let's sit down together there's a lot I want to hear from you."

" All right." Deity and Russell sat together on a small wooden bench not far from them.

" How's your mother doing? She's living well?" asked Russell softly.

" Mom was good, even very good. She has a husband who loves her very much. Even my father would accept me and think of me as his own son."

" Oh, thank goodness..."

" Wait...... Daddy's? You call your mother's husband father?" asked Russell with emphasis.

" What's wrong with calling him Dad? Should I call him uncle or master? He accepted and treated me just like his real son. Even he sent us and gave us the same facilities without distinguishing our status. So I should call him dad, right?" the gods grumbled.

" Yes, I don't blame you for calling him dad. He was well worth the call. It's just that I don't want to have the same call with him. What if we stood together and you called us with the same call?"

" Don't call me dad, call me papa. Yeah, call me papa. It was cooler and fit me. How's it?" russell was proud of his thoughts.

Seriously? He's at a time like this father actually thinks of a more appropriate call for himself? Turns out he was the culprit behind my stringiness. Oh, I never really thought of it. But this is better, than us continuing to dissolve in sobs like that. I used to think about what I would do and say when I found him. I was afraid that there would be awkwardness between us. But now that the day I have been waiting for has come, it all goes on its own. Hana said that God has the best plan for each of His creatures. We as human beings only need to live it with full sincerity.

" Heh why even dumbass?! What the hell are you thinking? Do you agree to call me papa?" russell's voice broke the God's daydream.

" Well, I'll call you papa" replied the God lazily.

" When did Dad, uh Papa know that I was your son?"

" You're taking too lightly a Russell Van Nero my son. A few years ago I got word that a young man was looking for me, is that really you? But your search is deadlocked because I've been out of business for a few years and settled in this place. Then later there was more info that said that there was a rich businessman who continued the search about me. Of course I'm looking for information about that guy. And from there I began to know that he was Anton Dermawan, the husband of Sabila Zahrani. I deliberately let my existence be exposed by them, but it was a pity that they did not have the courage to come face to face with me. I was very curious about their intentions. Then not long after that yesterday you came with your wife. Of course I was very surprised to see you guys coming. You think me and Aleena will let just anyone in our house?" Russell stared at his son's expression for a moment.

" So from the beginning Papa has recognized me?" ask the gentle God.

" Was fast?" the Lord asked with admiration.

" What do you mean that fast?" Russell didn't know the direction of his son's question.

" So fast are Papa's people looking for information about me? In just a few hours you can get all the info you want?"

" W....! That's really amazing." The god looks very admiring the workings of his papa man.

" Of course. That's what I do, Russell Van Nero. Although I have settled in this small village, I have not lost my power and ability." Russell said arrogantly.

" Oh yes earlier from the story of Papa, Mrs Aleena has suspected my identity as a biological child papa with other women, how is she now?" asked the God to feel bad.

" What how is it? She was overjoyed when my people had confirmed the truth about you."

" Mrs Aleena isn't sad or angry?" The gods reassured once again.

" Of course not. Why should I be angry? She's a very nice woman. She was so grateful that we finally had a child. Although not from his own womb but he was very happy. Didn't you see how he treated you and Hana?"

" Papa's right she's a very good woman. Do you know how I tried to dampen the turmoil in my heart when I first saw Papa? I wanted to scream and hug Papa's body, but all of that I paused for fear of hurting Mrs Aleena's feelings. I'm afraid he can't accept the fact that Papa has a child with another woman and eventually it will only worsen his health. But it turns out that me and Hana were wrong. She's a really amazing woman."

" Heh, don't equate Aleena with any other woman. You think too far. We live with a different cultural background." Russell seemed to understand the thought of his son.

" Tell me quickly about the story of Papa and Mrs Aleena. I am very curious about your love story. Your love must be very strong." urged God very enthusiastically.

" Well I'll tell you about our story and also your mother, Rani. But why do you keep calling my wife mistress. Call her mama from now on." Russell said.

" He he, all right. Sorry I'm not used to it."

Russell begins to tell her about his love story along with Aleena, the ups and downs of their lives. And the very God awaits, the story of Russell and Rani, his biological parents. How they got into a contract marriage. Russell's life journey to settle in a small village like Giethoorn today.

" Yesuffff....." Russell took a deep breath at the end of the story.

" What do you think? Once you know the full story do you hate and blame me?" Russell stared softly at the green bead that looked glazed in front of him.

" No Papa. I don't blame Papa or anyone else. When I was very young, I blamed everything. I hate Mom, Papa, life and even God. I felt like I was betrayed by my greatest hope. I fell into a deep abyss of sadness and disappointment. I lost my direction and the color of life. Until finally Hana came into my life. He was able to pull me out of that abyss. Hana and her family taught me a lot about the meaning of family and affection. She's a very remarkable woman Papa. Why did I talk about Hana? I miss him." grunts God.

" Don't be crazy. You only left Hana for a few minutes. Why go overboard by saying miss her...!"

" Ha ha ha, Papa is right I just did not meet for a few minutes but I don't know why it feels like I've missed like this. I love him very much Papa, very much. He's everything in my life."

" Yes, I can see it all. Hana is an amazing woman. In an instant he could bring a smile on Aleena's pretty face. You're very lucky to get him. Now it's your turn to tell me your life story. Tell me everything." pinta Russell.

The man who was not young again heard the story of God's life without a father figure at his side carefully. His feelings were mixed erratically. Silent silence he cursed his stupidity because all this time never realized that in fact he had a son who was very handsome. He was unable to erase his guilt.

My son how am I supposed to make up for all this? I can't imagine what your life was like without a father by your side.