Loving Maria

Maria's POV Sitting across the table from me was trouble wrapped in a five feet nine inches tall man with sagging shoulders and a cross expression on his face. A man I've known for the past twenty-nine years who never accepted no for an answer. That man is my father, and I, on the other hand, am the only person alive who's ever said No to his face and lived thereafter. “Are we having this conversation again, dad?” I asked, clicking my teeth together in disapproval. The look on his face didn't falter. I could tell that dad was ready to stamp his decision in my face. “What can I do? You're not making it easy for me either.” I looked away, wondering how my mom handled such a stubborn man on her own. Was dad always this adamant, or was he growing defiant as he aged? “I told you I'm fine, and my clinic is doing well.” I replied, drawing a sharp breath and reaching out to touch his hand. If verbal disagreement didn't work, perhaps, affection would. “I don't need to meet a stranger on a blind date.” “I only suggested insurance measures to cover up for future losses.” Dad announced, making a knowing face. He was being manipulative now, and I knew that strategy so well. “Insurance cover? I don't see it hiding in a man's pocket. And what now, you talk like you can see my future and it's catastrophic. Dad, did you visit a shaman?” “Who believes in such nonsense?” Dad bleated, dismissively. “And don't try to change the subject.” “Oh, I wouldn't.” I said that with the wave of my hand. “And don't worry, there won't be a need for that.” “What if it does? You can't predict the future, Maria.” “Then I'll find my way around, I always do.” I answered, on a final note. There was a brief moment of silence. I knew dad wouldn't have it, and he knew I wasn't about to let him sweep me into a deal I couldn't handle. Not that I cannot handle a man: I just cannot deal with one I haven't chosen. It was dad’s turn to release a copious aerosol of shaky breath, then we sat there, staring at each other like we'd exhausted our punch lines. “You know I've always hated your guts, Maria. You do not know the world we live in like I do.” “Don't worry dad, our world is nothing like your world. Can't you see? Our world has evolved so much and is constantly evolving.” “Still, you might have enemies, haven't you thought about that?” “Nope,” I answered, nonchalantly. “I don't think I've acquired a lot of enemies over the years.” “And it must stay that way, but you'll need to meet someone…” I opened my mouth to protest, but dad stuffed it with his words. “…. you'll like him.” he completed, with a smile on his face. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words failed me and I zipped my lips again. “I'll get going, dad.” I whispered, raising up to leave. Dad waited until I reached the door before dropping the bombshell. “Expect his call soon.” I swirled around to face him, knuckles white, “Dad? You shared my number without my consent?” “You said you were leaving,” he repeated, on a final note. I lingered at the door, indecision sapping off every strata of strength left in me. Maybe this wasn't a fistfight, or battle of words, I just had to do me. “Bye.” I belched, with my back to him. “Shut the door behind you, Maria.” My dad voiced in an icy tone. What a tyrant. *** “Wait, what?” Mira squealed on the phone as I drove to my office. The crazy Ottawa's sun of late August set the earth ablaze with heat but lightened the city. “It's what you heard.” I answered, my eyes on the road and my heart in turmoil. “My dad isn't having it.” “He seriously doesn't expect you to oblige, does he?” “It's just my dad being my dad.” I tossed a reply, still focused on the road. I was nearing the traffic light now when the light beamed red just before I got the privilege to accelerate past the waiting zone. “So, what's the plan?” “I don't know. None for now.” I answered, rolling my eyes. Mira hesitated for a moment, then she went, “Girl, I think you should give it a try. It wouldn't hurt to go on a date with a rich, handsome, half-stranger.” “What if I end up not liking him?” “You mustn't like everyone you meet.” Mira replied honestly. “If it turns out you do not like him, it's fair. At least you know you tried.” “Mira, it sounds easy when you say it, but you know how stubborn my father can get. It will never end with just one.” “Then we'll take it up from there.” “What do you mean?” I inquired just as the light turned green. I released my foot from the brake pedal and pressed the accelerator pedal to smoothly transition from a standstill, but my ears were focused on Mira. I was safe on the other side when she drew a sharp, shaky breath and asked, “can you pull over?” “Why? What's wrong?” “Just pull over!” She repeated, her voice now bearing a hint of hysteria. Although unaware of the imminent tragedy, I felt my heart palpitate loudly as I quickly pulled over just after the crossroad. “Hold on, where are you? I'll come to you. Do not go anywhere.” she instructed and hung up. I knew that Mira could be dramatic, but this wasn't one of her ploys. I could tell that she was damn serious. Just then, my phone suddenly rang, shrill and insistent. The caller ID said Dr. Leo, a Cardiologist at my hospital. I snatched the device from my lap, my voice steady, "Hello?" " Dr. Maria? We have a situation," the voice on the other end said, urgency evident in the tone. "A situation?” I repeated, my eyes widening in fear. What the f**k had happened? Was it the same news Mira bore? “What kind of situation?" I inquired, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "There's a fire outbreak in one of our wings…..” “An outbreak?” I repeated in a scream. “….we're evacuating the patients and trying to contain the fire, but...it's getting out of hand," he explained with increasing panic in his voice. I felt my world spinning out of control as lives flashed before my eyes. My patients, how were they? I could hear the siren of the fire department blaring through the phone, but I had to get there. "I'll be there shortly." I muttered with a shaky voice, suddenly feeling suffocated. I slid the door open and stepped out for some air. Fire outbreak? How? My security guards were the most thorough in all of Ottawa. How did the outbreak occur? Then a thought slammed through my mind. Was this one of my father's ploy to have me go on a date with whomever he pleases? That's ridiculous. My father played by one rule - whatever I want, I get. I was quite aware that he could go the miles to get whatever he laid his heart to do, but I could equally tell that he wouldn't do such. This was a preposterous assumption I had to get rid of. But if my father wasn't behind it, who was?