Chapter 5 5th chapter

Lim was drenched with guilt. He had been hiding this secret for days; ever since he became friends with Josh, the guy that owns a bar in town. The latter had coaxed Lim to take a sip of beer and eventually, as they hung out daily after work, he got used to the habit but would make sure to rinse his mouth with an air freshener which would kill the foul smell of alcohol. This time, he had forgotten and it probably betrayed him.

He was numbed by the question that was a bolt from the blue.

"Damn it! How could I be so stupid?" He muttered and turned hesitantly, afraid to look at her.

Shalom knitted her eyebrows, unable to comprehend.

Slowly, her face grew mournful. He must have noticed that there was discontent in their hearts and advanced to make an excuse.

"Is that why you left us in the middle of a meal, dad? Are we no longer important to you?" Her eyes were now swimming in tears. Now she was sure that he was no longer the great dad he used to know. She placed the half-eaten pizza back on the platter and poured herself a glass of water to transport the lump down the throat. Rose wished she hadn't mentioned it. It had just slipped out of her mouth on impulse and she could hardly take it back. She looked at Shalom, and noticing that she was not eating, implored her,

"Dear, eat your pizza. I will give you more because I know it's your favourite."

"Not any more, mom. I feel like choking." She said as a drop of tear spilt on her hand and she quickly brushed it off with her arm.

"Ok, go upstairs, dear. Your dad and I need to discuss something." Rose said, compelling her with her hand after kissing her on the cheek passionately as if trying to keep her off the scent yet the latter already knew. She obediently or rather willingly glimpsed at her father with an accusing eye and sprinted upstairs, her heart tugged with gloom.

Rose waited until Shalom had disappeared, and then with a solid face, walked towards her husband.

In a respectful manner trying not to appear rude, she held his two hands and started,

"Honey, I know you have started boozing. A whiff of alcohol hit my nose when we kissed earlier."

It was hard and foolish for him to deny, thus, he said softly,

"You are correct, honey, but I took just a few gulps of Bond-7. It's just harmless. There's nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun, is there?"

"Hmh, but not at the expense of your family's happiness, don't you think so?" She said with solemnity and pouted slightly. Lim stroked his chin and contemplated her for a moment. He had an impression that she was trying to control him and limit his freedom, which probably was never the case but because she loved peace.

"I won't give in to her whims. I am not just an imitation of a man and my complaisance will only convey me as weak and soon she will start giving me orders, and end up dictating my life, no! A Raymond cannot be defeated by a woman." After thoughtful thinking, he clasped her waist with tenderness and brought her closer, sensually sniffing her giraffe neck "Honey, he said smiling," don't be such a crybaby, hmh, I'll just see a friend and return in a wink."

He imprinted a warm kiss on her lips which the latter would have appreciated more if not in these circumstances. His phone beeped again and noticed that it was Josh that had texted him again. The colour on his face expressed excitement. It was clear that he was now on the edge of his seat as his eyes shone.

"Ok, honey," he kissed her again and thumped her shoulder gently and pursued, "I will be on my way. I won't be long, I promise. Tell Shalom not to sleep before I return, bye, love you." He said and kissed her in three spurts, entered the car and sped out of the gate.

Rose stood dumbly for a moment unable to understand. Each passing day, Lim was changing radically in one way or another, and she felt disheartened. There was a need to explain to Shalom because she was sure the latter would deluge her with questions which she would have to answer.

Shalom sat on her bed crossing her legs. Her mind was a flood of thoughts; thoughts that fazed her and filled her with discontent. No matter how much her father tried to hide in the shell of innocence, she felt that he was slowly drifting away and this brought her unparalleled distress.

"Baby," Rose said entering Shalom's room. The latter jerked slightly, narrowing her misty eyes.

"Yes, mom."

She smiled amiably with vitality to sit beside her.

"Daddy has gone to meet a friend." Shalom clicked to express her disappointment, which made Rose suspicious.

"Why? What is that supposed to mean?

"Nothing, just thinking."

"Come here," Rose said, making her lie on her lap and cuddling her hair.

"Ah..." She laughed and resumed hesitantly as if she was afraid of her. "He instructed me to tell you to wait for him."

"Why should I? He doesn't care about us anyway." There was a twinge of fear in her voice

"Hush! Don't say that, dear. You know that's not true."

"I know what I am saying, mom, he is a fiddle." She spoke in a solemn tone. Rose sighed and explained,

"Your father has other people who are important to him. Therefore he has to keep them around. Thus, once in a while, he has to avail himself to them in case they need him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about us." What could she have told her? She too wasn't satisfied with Lim's inequitable character, but she would have to convince herself that it was a whim for a short time.

***

Shalom lazed on her bed as she waited for her father to return. Having finished reading her storybook, she kept on turning over the pages idly hoping that soon he would arrive, but it was taking him too long.

"I won't sleep until he comes. He could be having a surprise for me." She thought and kept on peering through her window which faced the direction of the gate. It was past midnight and Lim hadn't returned. She lay on her bed trying not to close her drowsy eyes but soon slipped unawares into sleep.