Babysitter Cougar [COMPLETE]

Chapter 25 page 1 - Meet The Parents

As much as I'm intimidated by Saint's wrath, I fear Dad's the most. When these two go hand in hand, it can catalyse a catastrophic disaster enough to tear down any soul that walks past it. Moreover, I'm not ready to face Dad personally after what happened between us, never mind conveying the news about my pregnancy.

The sonogram image similar to my first pregnancy shown on the ultrasound x-ray monitor; a black hollow presumably size of about five to seven millimetre in my womb had brought him to tears. I can't share the same overjoyed expression without weighing the thoughts of people's perception on us, specifically on me.

I guess, it would be easier if I were to live in a non-Muslim country where liberation is being uphold, not bounded by rigid rules in matrimony. I suggested to Saint that we elope at his daddy's hometown in Ballsbridge but he prefers to do it here with my parents' presence because it's the right thing to do. Sometimes Saint baffles me with his fluctuating moral senses, but I know his heart is in the right place.

Saint arranged our visit with Mom's help, they both had been keeping in touch since his first visit to my parents' as an adult where they reunited like long lost friends. We arrived at my parents' house on Saturday morning, greeted by Mom as she fills my half empty soul with her warm embrace.

When Mom ushers us in, I have this odd feeling like I don't know this house anymore. Akin to my last visit to Freesia Court, I'm feeling foreign in this place where I used to call home. I ask Mom if she had done anything to the house, she admits she changed the sofa covers and reshuffled the furniture to look spacious. That could be it.

Dad is still in his room when we arrive, probably procrastinating at our arrival. And when he tramps down the stairs from his room to meet us, my heart palpitating and my palms are sweating. Saint notices this and he melts his hand into mine for a calming effect.

Saint's briefing about my current condition to my parents is like a presentation at a budget challenge session, separated into problem statement, justification and proposed strategy with cost projection which drags to five long minutes.

I see Mom's sad tired eyes reacting to the news in dismay while Dad's frustration shoots right from his face. After that, Saint concludes his explanation by requesting my parents' blessing for our marriage.

Mom turns to Dad for his consent and tries to mediate but Dad fires his ire across the room in Malay, "Kau dengan budak mat saleh ni tak habis-habis bagi aku masalah dari kecik! (You and this Caucasian boy give me nothing but trouble since kids!)"

Saint is able to decode Dad's saying and barges in, "Sir, with all due respect, I apologise for what I did to Sofia, but it's my fault and mine alone. So, please don't put this on her."

"How ironic? You understand Malay but fail to understand how we Malays condemn fornication," Dad comments, half-impressed. "Do you know that both of you are subjected to caning under Hudud enforcement if I were to expose you?"

"In my defence, things could've been easily avoided if you didn't go against my proposal during my previous visits, innit?" Saint's flustered voice bickers at him.

I abruptly sit bolt upright to this statement. Saint had sought earlier permission from my parents to marry me? Since when? Mom's contented face tells me that she concurs to it. It seems that everyone in this room knows about this except for me. Why was this not made known to me?

"She was out of trouble without you," Dad admits. "After she was done childminding you, her grades in university improved tremendously. She made me proud by being the first child to have a Master's Degree despite her lousy job that comes after. And when you two got togther, she got demoted, resigned and now this. I declined because you're just a bad omen to her."

"At least I picked her up when she was ostracised. You weren't much of a help either," Saint objects.

It breaks me to see where this conversation goes, we're supposed to solve the situation not making it worse. Mom and I feel the tension rises when the two men lock horns over whose fault it was and the talking gets louder each time.

"It's her fault, I've put up a lot of money on her growing up and she failed me," Dad bites back.

"I beg to differ, she turned out to be an exalted person but you only see her as your walking financial investment instead," Saint lectures. "Give her the respect she deserves and don't let ego overtake your conscience."

"There's no room for you to speak to me like that, young man!" Dad shoots back, seething by Saint's judgement. "Know your place in this house."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude to you. I'm here to talk man to man to set things right. I want to have your daughter as my wife and take over your responsibility bearing her sins. That's all," he affirms.

"You impregnated her and now you're seeking for my ratification. Are you out of your damn mind?!" Dad barks at us while Saint remains deadpan. "I don't want to be her wali (representative) for the solemnisation and jeopardise my reputation among my friends and neighbours. You already brought dishonour to us, so why should I do the clean-up? Anyways, I already disown her, so have it your way."

"Don't make such decisions, please," Mom warns but Dad flouts at her.

"Don't test me, Sarimah!" Dad furies, intimidating Mom with his raising hand causing Saint to spring from his seat and reprimands Dad from going violent.

I'm revolted by Dad's sudden violent act against Mom and I have never seen such a sight in my life.

"If you really want to hit someone, pick me not her!" Saint admonishes but Dad shrugs it off.

"I think we're done talking," Dad breathes heavily, weary from the heated discussion which he ignited. "Take your woman with you and don't ever set foot in this house again."

"You think we might shatter without you? Bite me," Saint jeers at him and pulls me by the arm. "Sayang, let's go home. You don't deserve an overbearing jackass like him for a dad."

"Get out!" Dad's bellow echoes in a shaken tone.

I reach Mom for an embrace but Dad shoves me away while Saint pulls me to his Rubicon. I take one last look at the house and grief over Dad's unthinkable decision to put me into exile. Was there no love in his heart for me? But then, I question myself over my decision for an abortion a year ago. Was I so different?

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