Chapter 2: My Secret Crush?

After begging my driver to leave me first, he finally did. Min was very adamant about wanting to accompany me to the city park. Maybe it was my father's order, but I don't care anyway. I wanted to live an ordinary life, and one of the ways is to hang out with friends like an average teenager.

"Don't take too long," said Min from behind the car window before driving away.

I am now in a city park located not far from my house. This is a place I have always been to since I was a child. There is a unique arena for children's play, a jogging track, a special place for elderly sports, a bicycle track, and several other facilities in this park. Some pretty shady trees also bring a comfortable atmosphere around here. The broad green grass with several blooming flowers creates the splendor of this garden.

In some corners, there are colorful swings that are pretty outdated. Indeed, those swings have never been replaced. Only the color of the paint changes. The swing makes a little noise when sitting on it, and some of the sides are rusty.

"Minka!" Call someone. I look around and see the figure of a well-built man with thick eyebrows and black eyes standing in front of me. That's Evan.

"Hey," I said, smiling.

Gosh, Evan is so different from the last time I saw him. His chest is broad and his arms are also muscular. That indicates that this man always goes to the gym. Not to mention that his fine hair that used to be black has now been replaced with gray. Startling. He looks much more mature.

But there is one thing that has never been replaced, such as the smile that never leaves his lips. It is as if he is a God who brings happiness to this earth.

"You're still the same as before, huh?"

"You mean still cute?"

Evan laughed. "Then there's no need to repeat it."

"Then what do you mean it's still the same as before?" I asked.

He smiled again. It felt like this man spent most of his life smiling. "Still look like a baby." He said.

I slap him hard enough on the shoulder that he groaned while holding the spot where I just slap on it.

"It hurts, Ka." He groaned.

I replied. "Don't tease me!"

Our conversation went smoothly. We shared experiences with each other after several years apart. Evan is currently completing his final year of study at one of the leading universities in Singapore. He majored in IT. I'm not surprised anymore. I can say that Evan is the incarnation of Albert Einstein. He has such a sexy brain. It is proven by the fact that he had participated in several international competitions. He also has been back and forth abroad, such as Japan, Netherland, and Finland, to compete for his creations.

The conversation was so fun, without realizing that six hours had just passed. Gosh, we particularly only had a small talk but turns out it took six hours! Yet I want more. I still have a lot to tell him. I still want to talk about my hobbies, his hobbies, or other exciting things. But Min's car horn was already deafening both of us.

See? Even meeting my friends is still limited.

"There's still another time. It's okay," said Evan, calming my disappointment. "Call me when you're feeling down." He winked at me.

Damn this guy.

"Okay," I answered bitterly. "Bye, then"

He waved his fingers as he smiled reassuringly. I got into the car and was surprised to find my father in the back seat.

"Dad?"

Dad is looking straight at Evan.

Oh no, this can be a bad thing.

"Your childhood friend, right?" he asked. I just nodded. My Dad also nodded slowly while stroking his chin. "Who are his parents?" he added.

Here we go again. I always have to explain the origins of people whose close to me.

"His father's name is David Chou. He is a Singaporean and an architect working overseas. Her mother's name is Mary Delia, the owner of a private hospital," I explained.

The car left the park, and my Dad was still silent. Is he angry with Evan or with me? I hope he's not mad at him.

"Don't get too close to the kid," my father said suddenly.

"Why?"

"Just don't."

This is what I hate about my father.

"I want to know why," I said boldly. He can't always restrain me.

"If you want to be close to someone, I can find someone better."

I gasped. Damn. Apparently, that's how he views my friendship?

This is a sign that I have to argue again with my father.

I looked at him in disbelief. "Why are you always like that?" sued me.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I've grown up, Dad. I'm not a kid anymore!" I said fiery.

"You can't hold me back. I don't like it!"

My Dad looked at me with a worried expression on his face. "I don't want to argue about your future, Minka."

"But you always rule my life!" I blurted out. I've had enough.

My father turned his gaze from me to Min. Oh, I almost forgot that someone other than my Dad and me was in this car. But let it be. This isn't the first time I have had a fight with my father in front of Min. Surely he could have figured it out.

"Don't argue with me, Minka."

I don't want to argue with him. Really. But how could I allow my father to do as he pleased?

"Evan and I are just a friend. Nothing more. Is that a crime?" I asked tiredly.

"Once Dad said no, it means no!"

I hate this situation.

"You are outrageous." That's all I can say. Then we were both silent for the rest of the time, heading home.

***

That evening while having dinner, Dad came to join usme.

I'm still mad at him. I hope Dad stops treating me like a child who needs to be looked after. I also hope that Evan doesn't get into trouble because of me.

When I'm about to go to my room, my father held me by the hand. "Sit down for a minute, Ka."

From the way Dad talks, sometimes I feel he treats me like a colleague.

I slam my ass on the dining chair. Waiting for Dad to say something.

"Are you still mad at me?"

Silly question.

"Yeah," I answered simply.

"Minka, I did all this for your good," he said.

"Really? By limiting my association?" cut me. "Do you realize that I've never had a friend all this time? Close friend? No one, Dad," I added.

My father observed. "I know. but it's not my intention to limit your association."

"But it's the truth!" I glared at my father. "That's what happened to me."

My father rubbed his forehead again. He looked drained. A second later, I felt a little sorry for yelling at him a few hours ago.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to argue. I just want to be friends with the people I choose," I admit. "Just friends."

"I have to apologize to you, Minka," said father slowly. Then he added. "Okay. You can be friends with that kid. Just… be careful."

I smiled slowly. I could hardly believe what was coming out of my father's lips. "You are not kidding, right, Dad?"

The man who became a single parent for me smiled awkwardly.

I almost nudged the glass with excitement. "Thanks, Dad," I walked over and hugged him with a big smile.

"I love you, Minka. Only you that I have," he said while stroking my hair.

Damn, I don't want to cry in front of my Dad.

So all I did was stand up and kiss him on the cheek. "I love you too, Dad."