The Door to Love | ✔

Chapter 17

I blinked rapidly and my attention darted between Ted and his dad. His dad was tall with blonde hair which resembled Ted. He was dressed smartly in a navy blue suit and looked younger than most of the dads. He seemed to be in his late thirties. I gawked at them in admiration and wonder. My eyes twinkled in excitement.

Ted's dad looked puzzled when his gaze shifted from Ted to me. I was grinning while Ted's astonishment wore off. Ted's eyes now shone with mingled emotions of happiness and love.

There was silence for a while and suddenly it was cut off by a loud ringing noise. It was Ted's dad's phone. He glanced at both of us and slowly picked up the call. I nudged Ted and hissed, "Now, how are we going to explain him about your sudden arrival here?"

"I don't know," Ted said in such a low voice which was barely audible. He did not take his eyes off his father. I thought of a stream of valid excuses and I felt myself panicking.

Soon, the call ended and his dad turned towards us. He stared at us for a while and raised his eyebrow. We waited patiently for anybody to speak up but none of us did. We waited for him to talk to Ted and hug him but unfortunately he didn't.

"I think you should talk to him," I suggested and pointed at Ted. His father frowned and asked itritatedly, "Who are you two to talk to me and waste my time?"

"Sorry?" I asked again since I couldn't believe his words. He shrugged simply. A wave of shock hit me like a tsunami. I glanced at Ted and he had no expression on his face.

"You mean you-you don't know him," I stuttered in anxiety and nervousness. Ted's dad looked at Ted and then shook his head. Again, the sudden sound of Ted's dad's phone ringing, startled us. He talked on the phone while I was rooted in my spot. How could he not recognize his own son?

I could feel slender, thin fingers wrap around my arm. I turned around and saw Ted with the same emotionless face. His grip tightened slowly and he dragged me.

"Hey, I'll talk to him. Just let me go. Sir! Sir!" I called out but Ted's dad was engrossed in talking. I tried to free myself but in the crowd it was even more impossible. The people were exchanging weird looks after noticing us.

"Fine, I wouldn't go back. Just - "

He let go of my arm and stopped dragging me. I straightened my clothes and took a sharp breath. We were silent and quietly we sat back in the car.

I drove us to a peaceful, calm park which was associated with nature. The temperature was warm and pleasant. The atmosphere was perfect to remain silent. After a while, I finally found appropriate words to console Ted. "It's okay. Maybe he too was shocked to find that you were here and he did not expect you. Or maybe, he couldn't believe that you weren't in Norway but here. He may have thought that he is seeing things or illusions. It's alright - "

"Nothing is alright! Damn woman! Don't you understand that he doesn't recognize his own fucking child?" He yelled and cursed under his breath. I flinched involuntarily. His jaw clenched and he shut his eyes. I examined the features of his face. After a minute or so, he opened his eyes. His eyes looked glassy and displayed deep hurt.