Let's Talk

===><== [<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHRyNmdxcGNkOXMyanVvNnhvcnVwbmk2MHQxeXRlMjZreTA3cTc0dSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/JXHhI4o9NCf8k/giphy.gif" alt="waterflow">] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[(text-colour:navy)[Welcome]! ] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[This is, "(text-colour:green)[Let's Talk]"! Try your //best//, [[okay]]?...]

Your phone is (text-style:"rumble")[ringing]. It's your (text-style:"bold")[dad]. (text-colour:green)[[Pick it up.]] (text-colour:red)[[Let it go to voicemail.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

You (text-style:"blurrier")[lay] in bed and stir. (text-colour:green)[[Call him back]] (text-colour:green)[[You go to bed]]

Oh, well, yes. Sorry. (text-style:"italic")[No, it's okay. Nevermind.] How's school been? //It's been okay.// How's work been? (text-colour:green)[[Is anything new going on with you?]] (align:"===><==")[<img src=<"https://pixabay.com/get/g34ea44415b2bc2ec404a3732eafaa06c39497d9aced664c25a29bfbee9436333ad361faa3b99439362e4efe68c1e2103c32ce1b740761a710669a5419078c20a_1920.png">]

(text-style:"italic")[Hey, dad. Sorry I missed your call.] Assalamualaikum sweetie, it is okay. (text-style:"italic")[What did you want to talk about?] I just wanted to say happy birthday (text-colour:green)[[Dad, my birthday was three weeks ago.]] (text-colour:green)[[Oh, okay thanks.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

You dream of a different life. One without an unpleasant father. [[One year later.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHRyNmdxcGNkOXMyanVvNnhvcnVwbmk2MHQxeXRlMjZreTA3cTc0dSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/JXHhI4o9NCf8k/giphy.gif" alt="waterflow">]

There's no (text-style:"flat")[reason] for him to be calling me. There's nothing to talk about. (text-colour:green)[[Call him back]] (text-colour:green)[[Go to sleep]] (align:"===><==")[[<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHRyNmdxcGNkOXMyanVvNnhvcnVwbmk2MHQxeXRlMjZreTA3cTc0dSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/JXHhI4o9NCf8k/giphy.gif" alt="waterflow">]]

Of course, sweetie. Why don't you pick up my calls? I've been calling. (text-style:"italic")[Uh- I've just been busy dad. Ya know...college and work.] I get it, I get it. You should download whatsapp, then we talk easier. (text-style:"italic")[How've you been?] I've been okay. How are you? (text-colour:green)[[I'm fine.]] (text-colour:green)[[Get to the point Dad.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

I care. (text-style:"italic")[Well I'm just fine.] Okay. (text-colour:green)[[...]] (text-colour:green)[[So, I'm going to go get some food now.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

(text-style:"bold")[Oh], did I call at a bad time? (text-style:"italic")[No-I mean, yea kind of. I'm headed to dinner with some friends.] Okay, sweetie. Enjoy. (text-colour:green)[[Haafiz, Baba]] (text-colour:green)[[Bye, dad.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Well, I'm going to go. Bye, sweetie. (text-style:"italic")[Yea, I gotta go too.] Love you. (text-style:"italic")[Love you too.] (text-colour:green)[[Bye, dad.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Haafiz, sweetie. I (text-colour:red)[love] you. //Sorry that I have to go, but I love you too.// (text-colour:green)[[Go to sleep]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

You hang up, and put your phone on the (text-style:"emboss")[charger]. (text-colour:green)[[You go to bed]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHRyNmdxcGNkOXMyanVvNnhvcnVwbmk2MHQxeXRlMjZreTA3cTc0dSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/JXHhI4o9NCf8k/giphy.gif" alt="waterflow">]

You sleep and dream about a pleasant conversation with your unpleasant (text-colour:red)[father]. [[One year later.]]

(text-style:"italic")[Hey, Dad. ] Assalamualaikum sweetie. (text-style:"italic")[Alaikum salam. ] I was uh- just calling to say happy birthday. (text-colour:green)[[Dad, my birthday was three weeks ago.]] (text-colour:green)[[Oh, okay thanks.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

The phone stops (text-style:"shudder")[buzzing] and you recieve a voicemail. You go about your day. (text-colour:green)[[Feel guilty for not picking up or calling back]] (text-colour:green)[[Ruminate on why he doesn't deserve a conversation]]

You'd never be that direct with him. Chillllllll. Try again. (text-colour:green)[[Oh, okay thanks.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/gfaf45e62ed4949b5c7f784650e273b242f078d397b89516c9da325fd5780700112f35f13a5363a05109f10f4c4328dcf_640.jpg">]

That's good to hear. (text-style:"italic")[...] Your grades? (text-style:"italic")[A's and B's.] Great. (text-colour:green)[[Why?]] (text-colour:green)[[Oh-Okay Dad...I'm going to go.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

You feel //okay// about the conversation. It always goes like this. (text-colour:green)[[Go to sleep]]

Ahh, the same. My (text-colour:red)[heart] keeps taking me to the hospital. //Oh, like another?// Yea this will be my third (text-colour:red)[attack]. //I'm sorry dad. I'm sure things will work out.// Inshallah beta. (text-colour:green)[[It's weird, I haven't seen your face for so long. Like so long.]] (text-colour:green)[[I was wondering if we'd see each other soon?]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Probably. We will figure it out. //Okay.// Well, I'm going to bed its midnight here. Love you. //Love you too.// [[Bye, dad.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Yes, but you are 18 now. You can come see me. (text-style:"italic")[I don't have a car or a license yet. ] Well...get them, then come visit. I miss you [[You know, you can visit me too?]] [[Oh-Okay Dad...I'm going to go.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Too agressive. He won't respond well to you being direct. Try again. (text-colour:green)[[Is anything new going on with you?]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/gfaf45e62ed4949b5c7f784650e273b242f078d397b89516c9da325fd5780700112f35f13a5363a05109f10f4c4328dcf_640.jpg">]

Okay, sweetie. Love you. (text-style:"italic")[Love you too.] Pick-Up my calls please sweetie. (text-colour:green)[[Haafiz, Baba.]] (text-colour:green)[[Bye, dad.]] (align:"===><==")[<img src="https://pixabay.com/get/g3b68ade07c675c47df1181848cdff096f4470334d01952c111ccbe2459ae647f138e7025fdc1a5a95d00ac520d853527539e6fccf27279a7f7b97797b8c5657a_1280.jpg">]

Your (text-colour:orange)[brother] (text-style:"shudder")[shakes] you awake. (text-colour:orange)["]You gotta skip class, (text-colour:red)[dad's] in the hospital(text-colour:orange)["] [[Oh..okay]] [[What is it this time?]]

Your (text-colour:orange)[brother] leaves the room. You get up and [[Go get dressed and drive to the hospital.]]

[(align:"=><=")[[Past the cafeteria, the gift shop, and into the intensive care unit.]]

Your (text-colour:orange)[brother] walks ahead of you and sees the room number. (text-colour:orange)[He] walks in and [[you follow him.]]

(text-colour:orange)[Brother] gently (text-style:"fade-in-out")[taps] your dad's shoulder. Your dad wakes up excitedly. //Hey, you're here// You all share a hug. It's kind of (text-style:"sway")[nice]. [[How are you feeling?]]

You take a seat on the bench next to your (text-colour:red)[dad's] bed. (text-colour:red)[He] looks so peaceful. [[Ten minutes pass]]

(text-colour:orange)["]His kidney is doing something..weird? I-I don't really remember what Kazim said.(text-colour:orange)["] Kazim's there? (text-colour:orange)["]Yea(text-colour:orange)["] [[Go get dressed and drive to the hospital.]]

You and your brother walk into the (text-colour:cyan)[hospital]. You get your (text-colour:red)[dad's] room number. [[You walk through the entry way.]]

//Much ''better'' now that you're both here// (text-colour:orange)["]That's good. (text-colour:orange)["] //Yea, yea. How is school Fizza?// It's okay (text-colour:red)[dad], all (text-colour:green)[A's]. //Good, good. How is work for both of you?// (text-colour:orange)["]Decent, I'm still working at Lenas. The money is decent.(text-colour:orange)["] [[Get away from the small talk, ask him a real question]] [[Continue the small talk-Work is good, my boss is really annoying me though.]]

Your dad is asleep. (text-colour:orange)[Your brother] turns to you and asks if you want to [[wake him up?]] [[let him rest?]]

A nurse walks in to give him medication. She wakes him up with a tap and pillow adjustment. He looks over at you two. //Hey, you're here// You all share a (text-style:"sway")[hug]. It's kind of nice.. [[How are you feeling?]]

(text-colour:red)[Hey dad], can I ask you a few questions. //Of '' course'' sweetie.// When did you come to the (text-colour:navy)[U.](text-colour:red)[S]? //Oh, uhm. I think 1997// (text-colour:orange)["]When did you meet (text-colour:magenta)[mom]?(text-colour:orange)["] //The summer of 1998 I think, we met on the (text-colour:blue)[boardwalk].// [[You were working at that Casino?]]

//Yes, it was good pay there. I liked it.// Did you ever have a job you didn't like? Sorry for all the questions... //It's (text-style:"expand")[okay] sweetie. I don't think so, I was a very hard worker. I always got along with my boss// (text-colour:orange)["]Lucky, I've had like (text-style:"rumble")[three] bad bosses(text-colour:orange)["] //Well there was this one time. My boss and I almost got in a fight.// [[No way!]] [[You what?]]

//I swear Fizza.// (text-style:"expand")[Ookay], tell us the details. (text-colour:orange)["] Yea what?(text-colour:orange)["] //Honestly(text-color:yellow)[,] he was probably the best boss I had.// //He led by example(text-color:yellow)[,] he worked hard(text-color:yellow)[,] always understood when we needed time off.// //When me and your (text-colour:magenta)[mom] first got married(text-color:yellow)[,] I didn't have a car.// [[Mhm.]]

//So (text-colour:magenta)[she] would drive me to and from my job.// //One day my boss looked at her dropping me off and said, (text-colour:yellow)["If you need help getting a green card, I'll help you. You don't need to be with that"]// //I grabbed him by his colar and said "Don't ever speak about my wife like that, she is my wife.// //He looked so shocked. I'm a really calm guy usually// [[Wow....]]

That (text-colour:yellow)[guy] is so evil. //But that's what I want to say. He wasn't all evil// (text-colour:orange)["]Like he was still a good boss atleast?(text-colour:orange)["] //Yes, he gave me the raises I deserved, and that I needed to take care of our family.// [[You still respected him after he said that about your wife???]]

//Yes, because he was my boss. Respecting him doesn't mean I liked him.// (text-colour:orange)["]You're just saying nobody is just one thing(text-colour:orange)["] //Nobody is all bad, and sometimes you just have to move past the bad things they've done. For your sake and theirs.// [[A year later.]]

(text-style:"bold")[That went okay. I guess? As good as one of those can go? I hadn't seen any of those people in so long.] [[I really don't know what to feel.]] [[I feel guilty]]

I know he was never a good father to me. Well, I guess maybe not never? We used to sit and eat cantelope. He got me a build-a-bear once. [[What about all the bad?]] [[Why couldn't I forgive him?]]