Without you

013

Iyani Chanel Rodriguez

"Im excited for you to meet him pops. Y'all are both important to me and I'm glad I don't have to keep you two separate after today." I smiled

My dad pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead "Im happy he makes you happy. I wish you would've let me meet him sooner bug."

"I just wanted the timing to be right daddy." I said

I was nervous but I was even more excited. It felt like my two worlds were about to finally merge into one.

"He's here." I smiled even though I felt my head drop to my ass

"Is this his car?" My dad twisted up his face as I nodded

I pressed my lips together as my dad went and sat on the couch waiting for Tah to come in. Once i opened the door I Pulled him into a tight hug. Once i was in his embrace I instantly calmed down

"Don't be nervous. It's gonna be fine." He smiled and grabbed my hand

I nodded my head and led him into the living room where my dad was sitting back on the couch.

"Daddy this is Tahir. Tahir this is my dad." I cheesed as I was overly excited

"It's nice to meet you." Tahir said reaching out his hand

My dad ignored his hand nodding his head instead as we sat on the couch across from him. I instantly felt my nervous again.

"So, You don't strike me as the typical 17 year old." My dad leaned forward on the couch

"Dad-"

"Iyani You've clearly been lying to me for over a year. No 17 or 18 year olds parents are giving a child that nice of a car. I can look at him and tell this is grown ass man you brought in my house and if I'm right you might as well delete his number now and have him walk the fuck out my house."

"Dad he hasn't barely said a word to you yet. And he isn't like that.. I just told you how much this means to me. Why are you making this hard?." I said getting teary eyed

"You made this hard for yourself. You know how I feel and that's why you lied to me. How old are you?"

I looked at Tah and nodded "I'm 22."

My dad laughed as he looked between us both. "Iyani you might as well hug him goodbye while you walk him out cause it's over. Absolutely not."

I shook my head As I felt my face get hot " You can't control who I date."

"I control everything you do as long as your in my house. That phone I brought, the car I brought im taking it all back until you learn How to make reasonable decisions. As long as your under my roof you abide by my rules. This relationship is over."

Tahir stood up and looked down at me "Imma leave outta respect."

"Wait." I grabbed his hand "Daddy I love you, but I found the person I want to be with forever. He makes me happy and you've seen that. So if I have to leave to be with him I will." I nodded my head and wiped the tears off my face

"Give me my car keys and my phone. If that's what you want I'm not stopping you. When he hearts you or you end up single and pregnant don't come back here. Go upstairs and get your shit and don't come back." He fussed and I nodded my head as tears flowed down my face

-

"Mm Mhm." Tahir groaned as he ate some of my oxtails and rice "This shit buss." He said as I tried to put on a fake laugh "Come on you not gon yell at me for eating yo food?" He asked and I shook my head "At least eat some baby."

"I'm good." I bit the inside of my lip

I really wanted to be alone to just cry but i didn't want to shut him out. I know hes trying to cheer me up but my heart aches. When my dad says something he stands on it and this is me realizing that bond is really broken.

I choose Tahir and I'll choose him over and over again.

"Look, I know it hurts but I'm right here until you feeling like yourself again. I don't even know how to deal with this baby but I'm gone figure it out. I told you I got you and I mean that."

I nodded my head and held back my tears. "Don't you need to go to work."

"Fuck it. I'm not leaving you here like this." He said pulling me close to him.