My dad had been staying in England for a few days, he hadn’t actually told us how long he was staying for or the actual reason he had come. He would never just organise a trip to see us randomly, I don’t think anyway. Thankfully, the night he invited his three eldest to dinner with their ‘partners’ Sahara was working therefore it would only be Marius, Jade, Zayn, my dad and me. As we entered the restaurant I walked behind with Jade while the three boys were in front.
“Zayn is such a lovely lad.” Jade cooed as she held onto my arm. I couldn’t help but smile at my boyfriend who was laughing hard with Marius at one of my dad’s joke. I worried a lot that Marius would hate him but he seemed to get along just fine with Zayn. We were seated at the restaurant; I sat next to Zayn while my dad sat at the top of the table so he could engage in conversation with all of us.
“What are you doing for your birthday Danayi?” My dad asked. I had completely forgotten about that, it was my eighteenth in just a little over a week and I suppose that’s a special birthday but I stopped getting excited for them a long time ago, probably around the time my dad left. I would always end up fighting with my mum and the day would be ruined, the only good thing about birthdays were getting to see my friends and briefly celebrating with them.
“Em…I haven’t really thought about it. We’ll probably do something.” I replied, gesturing my hand between Zayn and I while giving him a questioning smile. Zayn’s hand found my knee and squeezed it, before moving his body a little closer to me.
“Why aren’t you having a party? You’re legal!” Jade exclaimed causing us all to giggle. I drank nearly every weekend so what would the difference be if I did it on my birthday. “Is Sandra still chucking you out?” Jade asked. My dad’s face dropped and he looked almost angry.
“Why is she throwing you out?” He asked. Zayn was trying extremely hard not to laugh and so was I, the corners of my mouth were turned up slightly but my dad’s face was serious, he wanted an answer.
“She always says it when we fight.” I replied, a small giggle coming out as well. He raised his eyebrows at me.
“I hope you’re behaving yourself Danayi.” Why is it parents always say your name when they speak to you? I rolled my eyes before taking a drink from my glass. Zayn copied as he squeezed my leg again, he was the worst person to have around when your dad is trying to have a serious conversation with you.
“Mums crazy, you of all people should know that.” Marius said. I was quite shocked to be honest but it did gain a chuckle from my father, thankfully.
“I’m sure Zayn would look after Danayi if something like that did happen.” Jade said, smiling encouragingly at Zayn who then nodded in agreement. My dad stared at him with his elbows resting on the table and his hands clasped together. Our food came eventually and conversation became very limited as we ate, I couldn’t help but whisper and giggle with Zayn at any opportunity, it was probably extremely inappropriate but I was past caring.
“So I have something I want to speak with you about.” My dad announced just after our plates had been cleared away, I knew there was a reason for this random visit. “I can talk to Sahara and Denzel another time but I want to talk to you first, I think you will be more understandable.” He began to explain. My heart was beating against my chest as I glanced over at Marius, what was he going to tell us that we had to be ‘understandable’ about.
“You aren’t dying are you?” I thought out loud. A loud chuckle echoed around the room as he shook his head.
“No, no I’m not dying. It’s good news, I think.” The anticipation was murdering me inside. “I’m getting married.” He smiled brightly at us and I’m pretty sure my jaw had hit the table as did Marius’.
