A man

My Dad

I finally decide to stop crying and start using my brain again, just like the sharp and quick-witted girl I used to be. The first thing I do is call his male best friend, Phillsalt, because he shares everything with him.

I call Phillsalt and ask, When was the last time you spoke to him, and what did you talk about?

Phillsalt replies, It's been a while since we last spoke because I've been busy with my exams, so I haven't been using my phone much. I had already informed him about this. But the last time we spoke was two days after you both arrived in Germany. He told me that he's become very attached to you, that he's fallen deeply in love with you, and that you're very special to him. But he also said that you deserve someone better than him.

Hearing this, I become emotional and end the call abruptly.

After some deep thought, I realize that a few days before he went missing, my friend had been observing both of us closely. I decide that I need to get hold of my friend's phone again. The last time I saw his photos on my friend's phone, I was so upset that I forgot to check the call details.

Since his kidnapping, my friend and I have been sharing the same room. One night, after my friend falls asleep, I take her phone and unlock it using her fingerprint. I check the call logs and discover that my friend had spoken to my father just before he disappeared. My father never liked him, and this discovery turns my suspicion into certainty.

Furious, I call my father and say, Why did you do this? You knew how much I love him, so why did you come between us? I hate you! I've never seen a father like you!

My father coldly replies, Say whatever you want, but you can't be with that boy anymore, and hangs up.

I realize that anger won't solve anything; I need to handle this with love and cunning. The next morning, I call my father again and say, You were right, Dad. I should stay away from a middle-class guy like him. I don't even like him; he's just a crazy, worthless guy.

I badmouth him to convince my father that I truly hate him. I then add, He gave me a cheap, handmade gift recently. I want to return it and throw it in his face. Can you take me to him one last time? I just want to give him back his third-class gift. Please come with me, Dad.

Within 10 minutes, my father arrives to pick me up, his face covered, and we head to the place where he is being held captive. I have a plan—I carry a gun in my handbag.

When we arrive, I see him tied to a chair from a distance and start shouting, Hey, I've come to return your third-class gift, understand?

As I approach him, I untie his hands. My father, still silent and with his face covered, says, Hurry up and return the gift; we need to leave.

Without a word, I kiss him right in front of my father and his assistants. I then pull out the gun from my bag, point it at my own head, and say, If anyone touches him, I'll shoot myself.

Hearing this, my father becomes emotional and orders his assistants not to touch him. I then tell him, Carry me in your arms, and let's go back to our room.

He lifts me into his arms, and we take a taxi back to our room. In the taxi, we can't control our emotions and share passionate kisses.

I whisper, I love you so much. Please never leave me.

He replies, Don't worry, my love. I'll never leave you. I love you.

I say, I would do anything for you.

He smiles and says, I saw that boss-lady move of yours. I was scared for a moment—why were you so angry with me? What happened?

I tease, You're such a fool, that's why.

He admits, I thought I was just a timepass for you.

I reassure him, Maybe before, but not anymore. You're the most important person in my life now.

I then tell him about my discovery, My friend has saved your photos in a private folder on her phone. Why is that?

He is puzzled. How would I know? But yes, that's strange.

I say, Let's find out why she saved your photos. But for now, let's focus on us.

As we continue our journey, I playfully remark, You have such great stamina, by the way. Still so energetic, huh?

He grins. What did you expect?

I tease, Go and buy some condoms from the market on the way.

He blushes. No, I'm too shy for that.

I laugh. You were so bold a moment ago, and now you're shy? Why?

He suggests, Let's order them online.

I agree. Fine.

Soon, we reach our room. Unbeknownst to us, my friend is still in the room, unaware that we are about to return. As we enter, we overhear her on the phone, saying, If they find out the truth, I'll kill them both.

We are shocked. Why would my friend want to kill us? She supposedly had feelings for him, so what is this truth she's talking about?