Calamity

Christopher woke up in a very fresh day. He felt the joy of the weekend, the joy of happiness in his heart. His mind was free and he put aside his work-stuff in his laptop. He walked down the stair and seeing his family gather in the garden, they were busy with the BBQ party.

"What's that, dad?" he asked.

"Beef, still not done yet," said an old man with a full beard. He wore a white shirt with a green short, a very unusual appearance for a man of his age.

The smoke was everywhere, made Christopher's eyes sore.

"Grab some beer and give me one, son," the old man said with a deep and gentle voice.

"Here," he gave the old man a bottle of beer.

"Is your mother still changing your little brother's diaper?"

"Yup,"

"Then it's a good time to talk with you." said the old man while putting the steak on the plate.

There were lot of familiar faces. The crowd, the laugh, and everything he missed from his family was there at that time. They sat down in the corner of the garden. Two chairs, both didn't in position of facing each other. The old man began to drink his beer, and slowly closing his eyes.

"You know that I love your mother so much, right?" the old man said.

"A-ha," Christopher began to drink his beer.

"You also know that I made a great sacrifice to be with her. We raised you with what they called as pluralism, diversity, or any words you'd have ever known. The thing is, I regret it, son. I put everything on the table at that time. We all made the best decision according to our needs, our interest at that time. Lately it haunts me. I know that love is such a complex thing, and I never hope that you will understand it, but I do want you understand the pain I felt. The pain of being neglected, the pain of being nowhere. I see the same path in yours, and I don't want you to feel the same."

"What this is all about?"

"I know that you love your girlfriend. I'm afraid I could not accept it."

"What? After all this time? After all the things you have said to me?"

"I know. I'm such a hypocrite. But I never want anything except the best from you. The path will be very difficult for the both of you and it will getting worse,"

"So, you don't trust me that I can handle that?"

"I didn't say so. You are still young and yet you will experience a lot about this world, about the society where we live in. It's just not the state that you will face, but yourself. I feel this contradictions in myself, there are conflicts in my heart about the decision I've made. I don't want you to regret this like I do,"

"The only thing I will regret is when I did not pursue my happiness,"

"You see, son. This is the thing we share in common. We both struggle for our happiness and I know that you know how much I support you. When her dad called me, I sense trouble, tragedy, calamity, unfortunate events will befall on you. It is my duty as your dad to protect you. I know I'm being too hard for you right now. But can you pleased this old man with this one request?"

"No,"

"You still have time to made up your mind,"

"And so is you,"

"When the times come, son, I want you to choose,"

"I guarantee I will made it clear for you,"