Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Day ❯ Volume Six, Chapter Thirty-One: Father Love ( Chapter 31 )

Father Love

Another wrinkle came into the picture. It started with a phone call. Mai-Pai awoke to hear her phone ringing by her head. She grumbled as she reached for it.

“Hello?” Mai-Pai asked.

“Is this the Chieu residence?” a woman's voice asked.

“Yes…” Mai-Pai said. “Who is this?”

“This Takiguchi Hiroko from the Red Hearts Center,” the woman said. Mai-Pai narrowed her eyes.

“Um… Okay… I don't have any relatives there,” she said.

“Is Gok-san there?” Hiroko asked. Mai-Pai sat up in bed.

“Huh? Why do you want to talk to him?” she asked.

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Soon sat at the kitchen table.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Your father is looking for you,” Mai-Pai said. Soon stared at her.

“What?” he asked. His girlfriend blinked.

“So… Gok Shin isn't your father?” she asked. Soon froze.

“What did you say?” he asked.

“Gok Shin is your father, right?” she asked.

“Yeah…” Soon said. He turned to Mai-Pai looking shocked.

“He's alive?” he asked.

“Apparently so,” she said.

“Wow…” was all her boyfriend could say.

“Are you going to see him?” she asked. Soon didn't answer. It looked like he was processing the news. Mai-Pai took his hand.

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-Soon-

That old man survived? I… I couldn't believe it! I need a moment. How did he know to find me here? Even my ex doesn't know that I am here. (Why would she?)

Now, did I want to see him. I turned to Mai-Pai. She gave me a caring look. What did she ask me again?

“Take your time if you need to,” she said. I have no idea how long I sat there like that.

Naturally, I had to see him. It took me a while to say it.

I took Mai-Pai with to the Red Hearts Center.

“You sure you want me here?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “He'd want to meet you.” Her cheeks turned red.

“Oh…” she said.

“Relax,” I said. “He's going to love you.” I held her hand. I began to remember my old man. Never really took anything serious. I can't remember a time he wasn't smiling. How could be smile in such a dark time? I didn't get it. We lost so much. Just… how?

Mai-Pai pulled into the parking lot. She turned to me.

“Ready to do this?” she asked. I nodded.

“Yeah,” I said. We got out of the car. I took Mai-Pai by the hand. The Red Hearts Center was where all of the displaced elderly from the Exile went. Someone had to take care of them. Some found their families to take them back. Others were either rejected or had no one left alive. I didn't know how my old man would be.

Mai-Pai and I walked up to the front desk. The receptionist looked up. Something about her black-framed glasses made me shiver.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Uh yes,” I said. “We're here to see Gok Shin. She raised an eyebrow.

“What is the relationship?” she asked.

“He's my father,” I said. The receptionist didn't speak at first. I tried not to think that I did something wrong. Mai-Pai squeezed my hand.

“Hang on,” the receptionist said. She started typing on her computer.

“Hm…” she said. The receptionist started scrolling down. I held my breath.

“Ah, here it is,” she said. “He's in Room 129.”

“Thank you,” I said. We bowed and headed down the hall.

Mai-Pai and I made it to the room. The numbers 129 stared down at us. Questions ran through my head. Was he still the same firecracker he was back then? Would he still remember me? How was he now? Mai-Pai squeezed my hand. I turned my head. She gave a calm smile.

“It's okay,” her eyes said. “You got this. You can do it.” I nodded once.

Okay.

I knocked on the door.

“Enter,” I heard that old man say. I opened the door. There he was. My old man sat on his bed. He looked as I stepped inside.

“Hi… dad,” I said. My old man jumped up and hugged me wildly.

“My son!” he said. “I finally found you.” I nervously laughed as I patted him on the back.

“Yeah. I missed you too,” I said. “How are you?” My old man groaned.

“Bored!” he said. “I hate it here. Can you bail me out?”

“Uh…” I said. Okay, I shouldn't be surprised, but I wasn't expecting this. My old man looked over my shoulder.

“Oh and who's this?” he asked, looking at Mai-Pai.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Mai-Pai said. “My name is Mai-Pai.”

“Oh!” my old man said. He let me go and cleared his throat.

“So nice to meet you,” he said with a grin. Yep, he hasn't changed at all.

Father and Son