Chapter Five
The sound of the thousand frogs woke Daniel up from sleeping. It's a bit chilly, it's around 4:45 in the morning. He was wondering what's the message of having these frogs infront of him but he decided to put all in a sack. Walking to the restaurant,the guard stood up right away as soon as he sees Daniel heading towards the door. Carlos the guard, told Daniel that Mr. Tan was sick.. And Doctors from China are gathering frog oils for his cure. He dropped the frogs from the sacks he's holding. Mr. Tan was like the father he didn't have, and hearing the news of him being sick was hurtful to Daniel.
The crews from the restaurant hurried and brought the frogs to the hospital's laboratory. While Daniel rushed to Mr. Tan's room. It broke his heart seeing the old Chinese man on his bed with tubes everywhere connecting to his body. He sat by his bed & just stare at him. He doesn't have a family of his own. Daniel shed a tear for his boss. He doesn't know how to thank him for all his help to survived his College days.
The Doctors from China were busy doing their jobs inside the Lab. They believe that the oils from those frogs will heal & cure the Millionaire. They were thankful that someone brought enough pieces for them to do the experiments. Right after they came up with the oil they started to drop little by little to Mr. Tan's side of his mouth. Daniel on the other hand did stay at the hospital to assist Mr. Tan. Cathy came to visit too. She brought some clean shirts for Daniel to change. Reminded him that the ball is going to be this coming friday night. Daniel didn't know if he's going for that ball. He didn't have something nice to wear plus bringing parents to the ball is a must! He wouldn't like it if Tina will again go as his parent. He knew that his Dad Greg won't even bother to.
He stayed there for at least a week. The doctors said it might be a little late for them to save Mr. Tan's life. And Daniel blamed himself for not bringing those frogs as early as they were asking him to.. but then he didn't get the message! He was too hurt that night to even think what's going with those frogs. He went to the Hospital's Chapel to pray for Mr. Tan's recovery, sitting there for half day. When he came back to his room, it was empty! He went to the Nurse's Station to asked where he was?? But they said they can't give out information unless he's a family member.
At present...
Daniel went home straight after he can't find Mr. Tan, he told himself he'll be back searching for him after the ball. He walked in the house and his Dad wasn't around. Well what's new? He laid down for a bit to rest so he can take a shower. He realized he doesn't have anything to wear. He got up & begin checking his Dad's old clothes. Wrapped in a black plastic bag was a suit his dad wore on his wedding with Daniel's mom. He tried to fit in it, grabbed the mirror hanging by the wall.. he looked stunning! He's dad won't even know, only for that night!
He left the house 10 minutes after his Dad came home from the Party rental. On his hand are the suits for Daniel & Him. He began dressing up hoping his Son will come home. But it's almost time for the Ball to start & Daniel isn't back. He left the house rushing to Daniel's school so he can catch up. Right from where Greg was standing, he spotted his Son wearing his Suit when he married Elsa. He looked exactly like Greg when he was young. He wanted to hug him & apologize at that point but he doesn't want to spoil the night. Right beside Daniel was the most gorgeous Cathy.. Exchanging whispers to each other's ears made them looked so adorable.
The Principal will call the student's name.. And anyone can go up by the stage to pin them the medal with a speech to follow. Cathy's name was called, & her Mom got up first pinned the medal & uttered a short speech. Then to her surprised, her two brothers Billy & Joe came after her Mom. She was teary after her brothers mentioned how sorry they were for not loving her as their sister when they were younger.
Almost all the speeches were emotional to the concerned. Then Daniel's name was called.. He knew that Tina will be the one who will pin him the medal of " I'm proud you're my child" ... but a man from the crowd slowly came to the light headed to the stairs up to the stage.. It was his Father! Daniel almost faint when he sees his Dad, so dressed up as if He's really prepared to be part of the ball. After he pinned the medal, he grabbed the mic & began talking.. clearing his throat as his tears are flowing down his cheeks..
"To my Son Daniel, I'm proud you're my child because you have a heart that can love endlessly. It wasn't really easy for you to have me as your father, but there's no way you have shown me that you are giving-up. You're a man that's full of hope & I'm sorry for the hurtful days I've shared with you.. forgive me Son!"
Daniel hugged his father so tight without saying a word. That was the happiest night of his life! He couldn't imagine how things just turned into a brighter world just like that. And while both of them were wiping each other's tears, a voice from the crowd spoke. People turned their heads to a man on a wheelchair holding a medal to pin Daniel.
"To my Daniel.. I'm sorry I couldn't walk up there so I decided to just stay here & have your ass go down here so I can give you this medal! I'm not your Dad, but I knew you saved my life! With all these ears listening tonight, I will say this once.. that I'm not going to live for long. But I know my restaurants all over the map will survive because of you! Yes.. I had all the ownership changed to your name. I'm proud you're the child I didn't have Daniel! "
Daniel looked at his dad asking him if he can go to Mr. Tan's location, and Greg just tapped his shoulder to acknowledged the permission. He kneeled infront of his Chinese friend and Mr. Tan pinned the medal next to Greg's. He gave Daniel a brown envelope with all the business titles inside. He called Cathy to go down, as well as his Dad. They all thanked Mr. Tan for such wonderful gifts! But the Chinese Guy insisted..
"Thank yourself Daniel.. you are the Frog Prince! If not because of you... I will never survived that day! Thank you Son.."
Life has it's own twist! You will never really know how it will end unless you'll see it right from your own eyes! Daniel had a rough life but it didn't change him to do evil. Instead he made those heartaches as inspirations to be able to live! He knew that One day... it will be over. And he's right!
Today, he owned 10 Chinese restaurants worldwide. Married Cathy the woman of his dreams. Greg has a farm of his own. And Mr. Tan died with a smile on his face.
His friendship with Vince & Beatrice lasted for almost forever now. Daniel & Cathy has children of their own, named Elsa (for His love of his Mother) & Theodore (for Cathy's love for her Dad)
********* The End **********
