Daniel

With a smile, I opened the door of the taxi for her and helped her to seat herself and her sleeping child.

I gave directions to the taxi driver and the taxi took off..

A few minutes later, Tiara asked again, "Who is Narissa?"

I sighed and remained silent.

"My fiancée," I replied gloomily after a minute or so.

"Oh, so you're engaged?" asked Tiara.

"Yeah," I said blandly.

"So, when are you getting married?" she inquired.

"I have no idea."

"Why? Haven't you fixed a date for your wedding yet?"

"Not exactly."

"Why do you sound dull? Aren't you happy about your wedding?"

"Well, if you had to marry a person like Narissa, you would know why I'm dreading it."

"Narissa... the name sounds familiar... do I know her?"

"Of course you'll know her! Perhaps even every single person in this whole wide world knows her! Pop singer Narissa Eliza, she's been composing some of the best song albums worldwide for 4 years now! Of course you'll know her!"

"Oh yeah! Now I remember! Narissa Eliza! Oh my gosh! I can't believe you're getting married to Narissa Eliza! I used to love her songs... but I haven't heard her songs on the radio lately since I've come to San Diego. You know, Daniel, I've always admired her! She has such a beautiful voice; and I love the essence of her songs. I've been her fan ever since I heard her very first album! I can't believe you're actually getting married to her!"

"Her songs are really good, I agree. And her voice is amazing definitely... But be glad you don't know her."

"Why not? Why're you so... Why don't you like her? You're engaged to her and yet, you talk like as though you don't even like her! What's your problem?"

"Well, if you knew her, you'd know why I'm dreading my wedding."

"Why? What's wrong with her?"

I just shook my head, without saying a word.

"Please tell me, what's wrong with her? Why don't you like her?" asked Tiara.

"Well, let me tell you one thing, you will never be able to meet a person as childish as her. Talking to her is almost like talking to a twelve year old, for God's sake! Seriously, I can't imagine her as my wife! Gosh! Each time I think about her, I'm having nightmares!" I confessed.

Tiara remained silent for a while.

Mila, who had been asleep on Tiara's shoulder, started to stir.

"Mommy?" she whispered, as she rubbed her eyes.

"Mila? You woke up, honey? Come, let me give you some medicine, dear," said Tiara.

"Mommy?" Mila asked again softly as she squinted at Tiara and then turned to see me, while squinting at me, sleepily and rubbing her eyes.

I smiled at her.

"Daddy?" she asked softly.

I frowned a bit.

Tiara remained silent.

"Mommy, Daddy?" Mila asked again. Tiara groaned.

Mila rubbed her eyes and remained silent for a few seconds, still squinting at me.

"Are you Daddy?" Mila asked suddenly, looking straight at me agape, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Mila! Haven't I shown you Daddy's photo before when we were at home? Why do you ask every man you see, are you Daddy? He is not your Daddy!" said Tiara sternly.

"Daddy, Mommy," said Mila, stressing on the word 'Daddy' as she spoke.

"Mil, you call him Uncle, not Daddy," ordered Tiara, with a firm voice.

"Daddy..." called Mila, stretching out her hands towards me.

"Mila! He's not your Daddy! You call him Uncle!" scolded Tiara.

"Relax, Tiara... let her call me Daddy if she wants." I suggested.

"But, Daniel, I've shown her Darien's photo before, yet she calls every man she sees 'Daddy'," argued Tiara.

"Let her be... well, what does she know about her father? She's never seen him in real life nor spent a single second of her life with him. So, how can you expect her to know the value of calling only her father 'Daddy'?" I insisted.

Tiara just remained silent.

"Daddy," Mila stretched out her hands towards me, for me to take and carry her.

I smiled and picked her up. I placed her on my lap while Tiara gave her the medicine. Mila grinned and played with my tie until we reached my home.

As the taxi cab came to a halt outside my house, I opened the door and stepped out of the taxi cab, carrying Mila, before helping Tiara out.

"Daniel, let Mila walk," said Tiara.

"Okay," I agreed and lowered Mila onto her tiny feet.

Mila stood by Tiara, hugging Tiara's left hand, as I walked over to the patio of my house and rang the doorbell.

After a minute or so, Isma opened the door.

"Daniel, you liar! Look at the time! You lied that you were in the taxi when I called, didn't you? Don't tell me there was traffic, because there wasn't any traffic. Narissa already told me. She reached here more than ten minutes ago," said Isma.

"She's here?" I asked, alarmed.

"Not right now. She's gone next door, but she said she'll be back in a while," answered Isma.

"Okay," I replied, blandly, before gesturing towards Tiara and her daughter, "Ah, Isma, meet Tiara Qaleesya and her daughter, Mila Amylia."

Isma frowned a bit. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Okay, may I know what are they doing here?"

"They're going to be staying here for a couple of days," I replied briefly.

"Why?"

"Isma, why don't you let us in first? How long are you going to keep your guests at the door? I'll tell you everything later, alright?" I stepped in through the door, holding Tiara's hand, guiding her and Mila into the house.

"Daniel, you're getting married in six weeks, that's it. And, don't even think you can postpone the wedding anymore because Dad has decided the date. No more excuses, nothing! Dad's serious about it, okay? You are getting married in six weeks. And... who is she? What is she doing here? I don't think it will be a good idea if she stays in this house, at least, not until you're married. I don't have a problem with her staying here; but what will people think? You've been postponing your wedding for almost a year now, and then, just six weeks before your wedding, you're bringing a girl and her child to our home? People will start spreading rumours about you. Daniel, do you not understand the situation?" asked Isma, in a low concerned whisper.

"What's going on there, Isma? Ah, Daniel, you're home?" asked Mom, with a smile, as she walked out of the kitchen towards the living room, without noticing Tiara.

Dad looked up from the newspaper he was reading, seated on a couch in the living room. "Why're you standing at the door, son? Come on in and close the door."

"Uh... Dad, Mom, I've brought a friend here. I hope you don't mind," I said, gesturing towards Tiara.

Isma stepped back from the door, glancing at her parents worriedly.

Both Mom and Dad frowned but remained silent, upon seeing Tiara.

"Hey, Danny! Who is this?" asked Rina, as she curiously stepped into the living room, "Is she Joanne, your secretary at the office?"

"Oh, no, this is Tiara and her daughter, Mila. Come on in, Tiara," I said as I took her hand and led her a few more steps into the house, closing the door behind her. Mila stood by Tiara's side, looking around the house; her eyes wide in awe.

"Tiara? I didn't know you had a friend named Tiara; who is she? Works in your office?" inquired Rina in curiosity.

"Nope, I'll explain everything to you all later. First, I want you to know, she will be staying here with her daughter for a couple of days. So, I guess she can have the guest room, right?" I asked, looking around at everyone, waiting for someone to respond.

Everyone remained silent.

"What's wrong? Why're you all so silent?" I demanded after a minute of utter silence.

"Daniel, you're getting married to Narissa in less than six weeks," stated Mom.

"But Mom," I started off, when Dad interposed, "No, Daniel, we've decided the date and everything. Preparations have already started, so no more postponing the wedding again. You're marrying Narissa on the 2nd of January, and that's it."

I sighed. "Okay... so? What does that have to do with Tiara?"

"Who is she? And why is she here in the first place?" asked Mom.

"Mom, her husband has been working here in San Diego for two years now, while she's been alone in Seattle. Now she's come here in search of her husband. She's blind and all her belongings have been stolen. She's totally stranded, okay? That's why I offered to help her find her husband. In the meantime, let her stay here; she doesn't have anywhere else to go. She came here trusting me and you all, so please don't be so mean to her. Let her stay."

Everyone remained silent, still watching me grimly.

"Why're you all so serious? I've brought a friend here to stay for a few days or a week, and you all are being so forbidding! What's your problem? Is it because she's a lady?" I demanded.

"Daniel, your wedding is in six weeks," reminded Dad, "it won't be a good idea to have her here."

"SO? So, that's the problem, is it? I didn't say I want to get married in six weeks. You fixed the date, you decided everything, then what am I supposed to do? She needs a place to stay, that's all, and that's why I offered to her that she can stay here."

"If all she needs is a place to stay, then she can stay next door at Harris's," suggested Dad.

"Uncle Harris? But why, Dad? Why can't she stay here?"

"What's wrong if she stays at Harris's? Harris is my friend; I'm sure he won't mind, he'll only be happy that Narissa will get a friend for a few days. Since Harris divorced Nancy, he's always been grieving that Narissa's so lonely without her mother. I'm sure Harris and Narissa will be more than glad to welcome this girl to their home."

"But seriously, what's wrong if she stays here, Dad? Dad, please, she'll be gone before I get married, just let her stay here for a couple of days. She's starving; she hasn't eaten anything since yesterday morning. Please get her something to eat at least, Isma."

"Okay but, Daniel..." Mom started to speak, but this time, Isma interrupted, "Mom, please let them have something to eat first. Both mother and daughter look so pale and weak."

Mom and Dad remained silent.

"Come, Tiara. I'll take you to the guest room for you to freshen up while I get something for you to eat," said Isma, as she led Tiara and Mila to the guest room.

I headed off to my room, relieved. Isma was the best; there was no limit to her caring and helpful nature.

To be continued...