The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR Chapter 3: Leylah's low-key lies

The three of us were enjoying a homemade steak, mashed potatoes, and some steamed asparagus. We also had apples and bananas as healthy options. As much as we can, we need to prioritize the wants of the head of the house because if not, we’re both dead.

It is always dad who’s right and rules in this house. There’s no way we can eat junk foods or anything like sweets without his permission. He would often consider it as junk and bad for our health and well-being.

“You’re sure you’re happy tonight?” My mom couldn’t help but ask. 

“Why not? I let daddy ride on a ride that’s not even extreme. You should see his reaction when he’s holding the handle of the Ferris Wheel from the inside. It’s not even scary.” I chuckled between my confessions. I could see dad’s cheeks reddened a bit as he looked away.

“Leylah…” Mom suddenly changed the tone of her voice. It’s more of a warning rather than being amused. My mom is always by my side so it’s always scary if he’s siding with dad sometimes. 

We heard dad clear his voice a bit and looked amused as he tried to eat slowly. He’s a man but I would describe how he eats as “graceful”. Sometimes, it creeps the hell out of me because he’s refined when he moves, given the fact that he’s masculine and strict at the same time. Sometimes, I’m ashamed to make mistakes because dad is one hell of an example to me when it comes to fine dining and ethics.

I glanced at dad again and grinned. I loved his reaction. He’s a bit shy but he’s trying to be composed and undaunted even if I am already teasing him straightforwardly.

“Sorry, okay? I was just trying to tell what happened.”

“Yeah, and do not ever do it again.” I frowned after what I heard from mom. She’s very sensitive. I should have known better.

“Leylah, your father and your age aren't the same. You may feel fun but for him, his heart rate is already at stake. Do you want to give your father a heart attack?" She added and I find it very exaggerated as a reaction. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes instead.

"Mom! Of course not! Where did all those thoughts come from?" I exclaimed as I glanced at dad. He looked very amused that he stopped eating. Rather, he watched both of us closely as if he's watching an interesting movie.

"Alright, alright...please don't argue. It already happened. I can forget it right away." He even winked at me and I can't help but giggle. Mom heaved a sigh. Dad held his hand that's placed on our dining table.

"Hun, I'm completely fine. I will not go with your daughter if I feel worse. Please don't worry too much.``

"Well, can you blame me? I am not fond of heights and if I force myself, I might have a heart attack at any time. You and I aren't too different, either."

My dad chuckled a little as he noticed the worry in my mom’s face. I can’t blame mom. I guess if I am in her situation, I will also defend my husband, knowing his phobia or what could probably go wrong if ever.

"Look, I'm fine, alright? The truth is, I was closing my eyes the whole time when the Ferris Wheel was moving." Dad admitted in front of mom. Upon hearing that, I can't help but burst out laughing as I nodded. I even showed mom some snapshots of dad's funny moments. 

"Oh my goodness! You're both crazy, I don't know what to do with the both of you anymore!" Mom can't help but laugh with us.

----

The next day was a Sunday. Part of our routine is to go to the nearest church. As usual, I expect that my father was the earliest to prepare. He went to and fro around the house and I sometimes feel dizzy about his movements.

"What are you both doing? The snails are much faster than you. C'mon!"

"But dad, it's only six in the morning!" I complained while combing my hair. I'm almost ready to go too and yet I am too sluggish. 

"Why, Ley? If you're rushing to school, you don't even want to be late, right?"

"What's the point?" I insisted, still having that slow-motion kind of movement as I comb my hair. I can’t help but to yawn as well, too. I am always forced to wake up even on a Sunday because of our family’s commitment to going to church. I guess daddy is also planning to be the top church goer of the century or whatsoever.

"Well, God is also important. How you behave in even attending church service also speaks to your commitment to God."

"My goodness daddy! You're even sounding like pastor Asher already." I chuckled as I stood up.

"Faith in God is the only thing I want to introduce to you, Leylah. Whatever happens, cling unto God." I smiled at him and nodded. I left dad and headed straight to our car.

How can my dad be so weird and perfect at the same time? Well, they say, nobody's perfect but for me, he is and he will be the perfect father for me. Mom was seated next to him and I was seated at the back. I just observed how everything was. While dad was driving the car, I noticed that my mom was giggling so hard. I guess they are sharing each other's experiences from work. I was a bit distracted when I felt my phone vibrating in the pocket of my long skirt. I glanced at my parents and steadied my eyes on them.

I can see that my dad is also glancing at the rearview mirror as our eyes meet. I secretly bit the insides of my lower lip. I awkwardly smiled at dad. When he turned his eyes on the road, I slowly pulled my phone from my pocket and I saw Walter calling me right now.

It was somehow a relief because I put my phone in a vibration mode that nobody will ever notice.

The display name was "Wilma" and yet I am always cautious. Dad might answer my phone right away and I will be dead forever. He might wonder if he'll be talking to a guy rather than a girl. I declined my boyfriend's call and messaged him right away. I alerted him to only chat with me rather than call because dad is around.

"Oh, no! T-Rex is present?" That message from him made me laugh out loud. I almost forgot we're going to church and my parents are around me.

"What's going on?" Dad asked but he sounded suspicious. 

"D-Dad...Wilma sent me a GIF. You know, a funny, moving picture."

"I'm not born yesterday, Leylah."

"Sorry, dad." I apologized right away. If there's someone I never wished to argue with? It's my dad. I never wanted to argue with him because it will not be easy. After all, we have contrasting beliefs most of the time. 

I noticed that mom put her hands on dad's arm and distracted him by getting angry at me by asking a question. It was somehow effective because dad seemed to like the question and began explaining to my mom that it took us almost forever. The church was 20 minutes away from our home by car. We needed to be early for the 8 AM fellowship service.

Usually, my dad will go to pastor Asher to let him pray for him, especially at his work and mom will have to do the same as well. It's also my chance to talk to Walter, my boyfriend. I always name him "Wilma" on my phone because of my father. He is not allowing me to have one, that's why.

"You know what? I'm almost doomed a while ago." I started when I heard him say 'hello' on the other line.

"What? I'm not doing anything. What happened?" He sounded like he has no idea at all.

"Your jokes were lit a while ago. My father thinks it's so inappropriate to laugh like that. It's now his turn to giggle as soon as he hears me.

"How could he not be distracted? You're sounding like a cute hyena." He said between laughs.

"You know what? I hate you." I frowned as I held my phone in my left hand and listened to it with my left ear.

"I love you, even if you're being harsh to yourself." Those reassuring words touched me so much. Coming from Walter, he always warms my heart. That's why even if my father doesn't agree much, I took the risk of saying "Yes" to his love and being in a relationship with him without dad's knowing.

I hope that dad will be open-minded about the situation that may arise.

"Hey, Ley? Are you still there?" My eyes swelled a bit as I smiled sweetly. I want to shout out loud how much I love this guy but I don't know. I don't know the consequences of this love if dad will eventually know it in the future.

"Y-Yes…"

"I love you." There he goes again.

"I love you too. I mean it." I can't help but smile because Walter is not only handsome but he's also a perfect gentleman and a loving person for me.

"Hey, I will say goodbye now. The church service is now starting." I never got the chance to talk to him a lot. However, he reminded me to always take care before he hung up.

"Leylah, we're sitting in the front seat," Dad said as soon as they left the prayer and soaking room. I was almost caught. Well,  it's good that I was able to put my phone inside of my pocket even before dad opened the door of the prayer and soaking room.

As soon as the praise and worship ended, we're back to our seats. Pastor Asher came forward, as usual in his most charming way of greeting us. His face is happy and pleased that the church is almost crowded.

He started his sermon that most of the minutes, I am secretly getting pissed off. I closed my fist, that nobody has ever seen it, a good thing.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. I know almost everyone here is a youth member, right?" My dad nudged my shoulders. He was sitting beside me.

"Amen," I answered along with the others as I avoided Pastor Asher's eyes as he roamed around to check on his audience.

"This is a powerful word from God that also leads us to not only follow but become obedient from whatever our parents would tell us. We're not made to become only the children of our parents. We also have to respect them for us to enjoy a long life and reap the goodness of God within our lives."