The Sun Becomes a Star
May Wants Ice Cream
Papa goes – nights this way, and I don't know where he's going. I want to call him. And I have to call. I have to apologize right now. Papa must have been very hurt. It doesn't matter that Papa won't forgive me now. I just wanted to show him that I'm really sorry –.
I went to the living room, squeezed – dialed Papa's HP number through the landline. When the waiting tone sounded, Papa's HP sounded in his room. Papa out not carrying HP. I started to worry more. I sat in the living room. Turn on the TV and search – find interesting channels. But everything looks boring. No one made me want to watch, but I didn't want to leave the living room until – saw Papa coming.
Nearly two hours passed, but Papa hadn't come yet either. My mind drifted more and more unbecoming. All the bad thoughts alternately popped into my head like commercials on TV. What if Papa's motor hit a tree?
What if Papa gets robbed?
I wanted to throw it all out, but I couldn't. My guilt has multiplied. Especially when I remember some good things about Papa.
I remember once when I was thirteen and got my first menstruation. Even myself is not as clumsy as Papa. I actually thought Imelda was bleeding, because she was in my lap. But it wasn't and Papa knew I had my first period.
Because Papa was never a woman he was so confused until – until he bought a sanitary pad of some size. Called some of his friends to give me instructions from outside the bathroom door to install the proper sanitary pad.
“Papa, what the hell is this?”
“Pair it on calana in you!”
“How to install it Pa?”
“Casak just can't May?”
“I can't Papa!” I screamed from the bathroom.
“Just wait a minute,” Papa said before I heard Papa call a friend asked “How to install it ?!” Then Papa again rushed – and kicked some objects lying on the floor.
“You found the sticky part ?”
“No Papa. Everything is dry !”
“Waduh!” I heard Papa coming to the phone and then coming back.
“Open first the adhesive cover, like white paper so in the middle – middle of the pad!”
Long – long I cried because I did not understand what Papa meant.
“Already May, don't cry. Papa gets confused!”
“If Papa does not shout – yell so May will not be confused like gini!” then I heard Papa go outside. I was crying in the bathroom and feeling left alone.
Not long Papa came with one of the neighbors and all the problems were sorted out. I know it must be a shame for Papa, who the man, asked about helping me.
And now, Papa's not back yet. It was almost eleven o'clock at night, I fell asleep in the living room chair. That night my sleep was not calm.
In the morning, I woke up. I'm still in the living room but now I'm wearing a pillow and a blanket. I saw Papa's motorcycle in the corner of the room. Papa and I put our bikes at – each in the living room at night because we didn't have a garage. Papa has arrived.
Apparently last night Papa bought food. On the kitchen table I saw two packs of cold fried rice. I warmed up again and made two hot cups of coffee for me and Papa as a sign of reconciliation. When I finished the bath I saw Papa was at the dinner table, enjoying the coffee I made for him.
“May wants to talk Papa.” I said quietly still with my head covered in towels.
“What do you want to say May ?” I'm sure Papapun actually knows what I want to say.
“May yesterday wrong Papa.” It's hard to admit that. But I don't want to be haunted by guilt all my life just because I'm too proud to apologize.
“Papa can't remember. What did you say last night until you needed to apologize to Papa ?” This is how Papa punishes me and makes me feel more guilty. After Imelda last night, it's Papa's turn. No problem, I deserve it.
“May has said – things that hurt Papa ..”
“Oh that ..” Papa said lightly as if – will everything I said yesterday does not mean what – what for him. “Then ? he asked again.
“Yah May is sorry,” I'm starting to feel annoyed again. Cook apologized for being treated like that ?!
“If Papa hasn't forgiven you, you think Papa would like to drink your coffee?” Papa says. I was surprised, but Papa was just teasing.
“Ah Papa ..” I'm rushing towards Papa.
“You know May ? Even before you apologize, Papa has forgiven you. Papa understands that many things cannot be done because Papa must work so that our needs are met. Forgive Papa also if Papa can not just buy you a mobile phone. You can't enjoy the warmth of a house just like the other girl – girl ..”
“You're a good boy May.”
“May often hurts Papa.”
“Papa hope you know why Papa said all that yesterday. Several times May, when Papa was looking for news, Papa found a lot of girls – young girls your age become victims of people – bad-hearted people. Things – things like that Papa always thinks about you. So when you tell me about Kevin, Papa is so remembered about them. Papa absolutely does not want Papa's child to be one of them”
“Not going to Papa. May will always take care of herself.” I said while shedding tears.
“You're right – really like Kevin May?”
“Iya Papa”
“At least don't decide too soon. You don't even know who he is yet. You're a big May. Papa is sure you can already hear your heart well.”
I nodded and removed my embrace from Papa. Papa held my shoulder with both hands.
“Pardon Papa if Papa often thinks you are a child. Papa never expect you to continue – continuously in this house until old age. Papa didn't raise you to be a man without a job. One day you will leave this house to pursue your dream May. Papa is sure you will learn to mature well.”
I nodded again. “Papa ..”
“What ?”
“Papa tired so Papa May?”
“Would never miss small”
“Don't get tired so Papa May ..”
Replace Papa who nodded.
“Papa ..”
“What else ?”
“May hungry ..”
“Please eat Miss.” Papa pushed a plate of fried rice that I had warmed.
“Papa,”
“Hmmmm,”
“May want ice cream.”
“Iya later Papa buy.”
“Papa,”
“Iya?!”
“May want a motorcycle.”
“Already do not visit,” Papa smiled.
I also smiled and I ate the fried rice that morning very very greedily.
Follow me on IG @eveningtea81 for daily quotes, short stories and more!
Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon
1. Play your guitar, Sophie
2. The Sun Becomes a Star
