Frost and Fire (+18) ✔️

31 | papa

I found my father slouched on the chair of his study in our house in Brooklyn. His head hung low between his hands, papers and files were all over his desk, and the rest of the study. The disorganized shelf having the same tired and exhausted aspect as my father.

"Papa?" I called knocking the door of his office.

His head snapped towards where I was standing at the entrance. He looked... tired. There was a visibly heavy stubble and his hair messy as if he had run his hand multiple times through it. Dark spots rested beneath his eyes indicating how tired he was and how little sleep he got.

"I didn't know you were coming, Star," he said, his voice heavy and hoarse.

"Someone has not been taking care of himself," I strolled to his desk as I said in a hard voice, "Thought I'd pay him a visit, reminding he has kids to think about too."

"I am fine," he said, "Just have a lot of work to do. I have a video conference in a few minutes, I'll talk to you later," He gestured the door behind.

I gaped at him. "Are you hearing yourself, papa?" I shook my head at him. "Nisa is fucking scared seeing you like this. Tony doesn't know what to do for the first time. You're hurting, we know that. But seeing you like this is hurting us more than Mother leaving us."

He was lost, broken. Even though the relationship was strained between my parents for years, he loved her. I can't even begin to imagine what he is going through right now. I can't believe my mother left for good. I should be happy, but I happiness is the last thing I feel right now. I feel... abandoned.

I never got along with my mother, but at least, I knew she was there in my life. And now, she is gone. She has talked to Nisa and Tony once since she left, but she hasn't reached out to me. And Papa... I can't even imagine what he was feeling.

He was hurt. So, he turned to work, buried himself in it. That was his comfort zone, something he knew he would never lose.

I dialed my father's secretary. "Mr. Adams," I greeted when he picked up the phone call.

"Ms. Kasana," He chirped, "What can I do for you?"

"I want you to reschedule all the meetings and video conferences that my father has for this week for after Christmas," I said

"I'm sorry what?" He asked perplexed, "Rescheduling in such a short time is quite not possible, Ms. Kasana,"

"Make it done, Mr. Adams. My father is not in a condition to work, "I said "Besides, it's Christmas in three days, no one wants to work on Christmas,"

"Ms. Kasana, I don't think—"

"I don't think you understand it, Mr. Adams. I said reschedule the meetings. And I want it done,"

My father just looked at me angry at the fact that I made Adams reschedule his meetings. But he just sighed and slumped back on his seat, clearly having absolutely no energy to scold me.

Arrange a meeting with my mother in the second week of January. I sent a text to Maria, my manager, before giving my father my full attention.

"Come on," I said to my father, rounding around his desk and grabbed him by his arm, leading him to the kitchen, "Sit," I pointed at the stool by the island.

Gods, it's been a long time since I stepped foot in this kitchen.

My father looked even worse in the bright light. He looked beaten. Exhausted. Empty.

"You are coming with me to Wisconsin and spend the Christmas with the Costa and Finch family," I said rummaging the cupboards for the eggs, some beans and rice. "You are taking a break from the work, and just relax,"