Arthur looked at his son calmly.
He wanted to encourage his son about his loss, but after a moment, he decided against it.
Rubbing his son’s head lovingly, he said to him
“Father has lost once before. Let us not lose anymore”
Removing his hand from his head, he bared his knuckle at him, a smile on his face
…..
Seeing that his father avoided his question, he decided to leave it be.
Still, looking at his father’s outstretched knuckle, Arlo couldn’t help but feel emotion well up inside him.
“Sniff”
Knocking his small knuckle on his father’s, Arlo squeezed out a
“Yes.”
“Let us go home. Your mother is worried about you.”
…..
Feeling the embrace of his mother, Arlo reprimanded himself in his mind.
When he came back home, he saw the unveiled face of his mother and he was shocked to the core.
Her hair was unkempt, and her eyes were red and swollen. He could tell that his mum had cried a lot which caused his heart to tighten in self-reproach.
“I’m sorry mum. This won’t happen again.”
Rita held her son tightly, afraid that he would leave her. Hearing his words, her mind finally settled down.
Pulling him from her embrace, she voiced out her worries.
“What happened to you? Tell me about it.”
Arlo’s face blushed red.
‘How can I tell you that I went somewhere to cry because I lost to a girl?’
Afraid that his father might sell him out, he turned in his direction.
However seeing his father calmly makes his way to his room, he couldn’t help but feel at ease.
“Don’t worry mum. I and Dad have settled it.”
“Ah?”
Rita was left stumped as she gazed at his red-blushed face. However realizing that her husband and son had some time to bond together, she felt happy at heart.
“Okay.
“Have you eaten dinner?”
“Not yet. However, I’m okay. But you mum, need to take a bath.”
“Ah?”
Rita was taken by surprise by her son’s words. Before she could react, Arlo pushed her toward the bathroom.
“Be fast mum, I will wait for you upstairs.”
Seeing his mum enter the bathroom, he made his way to his Dad.
A few moments later, Arlo entered his parent’s room.
His dad was laying on the bed, his face facing the roof. He laid his head calmly on his hands, and one of his legs was crossed over the other.
He was left stumped on the spot, as he saw what was in his father’s mouth. It was a stick of broom.
‘Father, are you a goat?’
He wanted to say such words, but he didn’t dare to.
“Hope you will keep what happened today a secret.”
“Which one?”
Arlo was a bit confused
“Which one? Is there any other thing?’
Arthur caught sight of his son’s confusion and decided to clarify.
“Is it that you cried because of a girl or because I spanked your buttocks?”
“You…”
Arlo trembled from anger as he held the urge to spear his Dad.
Gritting his teeth, he replied.
“Both.”
“Alright. I will take them both to the grave.”
Arlo reflexively relaxed.
“As long as I am in a good mood,” Arthur added
“You…”
Arlo pointed his trembling finger at his father.
…..
Rita entered the room, her hair still soaked. She had a towel draped over her body.
She saw her husband laying on the bed and her son behind the chair in front of the mirror.
Looking at this sight, she smiled brightly as she made her way toward Arlo.
Arlo drew the chair out so his mum could sit.
Seeing his mum sit down comfortably, he took a comb and started dressing her wet hair.
Rita looked into the mirror and she could see the bright smile plastered on her face.
She felt so gleeful that her own son was spoiling her.
Closing her eyes in satisfaction, she reclined comfortably on the chair.
Arlo continued to comb his mum’s golden hair and he couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty.
‘So this is why I am so devilishly handsome, huh?’
With that thought in mind, he gazed at his father through the mirror.
‘He is not so bad either.’
Looking at the comfortable position of his Dad that displayed his innate arrogance, Arlo could not help but become a bit angry thinking about their previous moments together.
‘Hmph, let me tease you a little.’
“Mum, I want to report Dad to you.”
