LIKE FINE WINE 6

 

LIKE FINE WINE 6

Emily took a last sip from her glass of cherry juice before she asked her father for a favor. Elisha rolled his eyes back as he wondered what it was this time, his daughter had the best of everything but she had grown up wanting more. It was hard for Elisha to ever say no as he often tried to feel the gap she lacked from having no motherly love or sibling attention. Emily was always bored and often complained to her dad about his lack of association. Apart from work colleagues that visited once in a while, Elisha was always alone. He often preferred to treat himself to some whisky in the house bar or watch a series of movie. Emily was the exact opposite of her father. She was fun loving and her mates in school often loved to have her around.

“Don’t roll your eyes like that”

“I’m listening baby what it is it?” Elisha responded faking a smile.

“Dad… I need a new iPad”

Elisha chuckled as he shook his head.

“No madam, you have the latest Apple iPad.. not going to happen”

“Was latest a year ago… actually close to two but the point is.. there’s been two other version upgrades after that and i…”

“And you are going to be a little more grateful that your dad has been so generous”

Emily sighed “dad, it does not have the latest features. In short, it is boring” Emily whined.

“Did you say boring? I pay for DStv every month, Netflix is fully paid up and WiFi is open 24seven not to mention you have all these at your disposal… I think I have a better idea”

“What could that be?”

Elisha thought long and hard.

“Dad I’m waiting”

Elisha sipped from his whisky glass before he lifted his phone from the table. After scrolling a couple of times he showed his daughter a picture.

“Okay this is beautiful.. where is this?” she asked.

“You still have a couple of months before Yale”

“Yes dad and I can’t wait to leave, you need to start looking for company”

Elisha’s daughter had just been given admission to study Neurology at the Yale University. Elisha was ecstatic but also at pains to release his daughter, she was only turning sixteen and had already emerged top of her class and made it to Yale first level entry.

“I already have company but that aside… we are finally going…”

“Dad is this Italy?” Emily asked excitedly

Elisha shook his head with a grin.

“Arrggghhh!!!!!” Emily screamed as she jumped from her seat and rushed to hug her dad.

“Lady.. be a lady..” he whispered calming her down

Many people had unpleasant look on their faces as they imagined this was one of those unconventional relationships where an older guy dates a teen.

“We are in a hotel my darling”

Emily returned to her seat excitedly as she thought who she could call to come along on the trip. Elisha had always been going on various destinations with his daughter but for a long time Italy was the one place he was hesitant to go. Italy held way too many memories, especially the time he fought to have his ex wife back when she eloped with her lover.

“Dad I need to call…”

“Emily one friend only”

“But dad…”

“No buts Emily, one friend and it is final or we are not going” he said.

“ok.. Tendai..” she said.

“I don’t know you have to ask her dad and I will not be involved” Elisha warned.

The dinner at Sarovar had gone absolutely well with Elisha realising that he had only a few months with his baby girl. It was only right that he finally took her to her dream country Italy. Emily was ecstatic, it was not only her dream vacation but also the place she wanted to have her first kiss, she had planned this for two years after reading a novel that enticed her to believe her first boyfriend would be Italian.

Thoko had just left the office that day with a terrible fever, she had been ignoring it for a couple of hours but was soon getting irritated. She needed to visit the chemist by the mall. Much to her dismay, Elisha was just stopping by after his dinner to get a anti malaria drugs himself and Emily. The two met eye at the counter.

“Hai..” Elisha greeted

Thoko shyly responded “oh hi… I was even thinking of calling I found a couple of your missed calls”

“You were busy I guess... Understandable”

Thoko nodded her head and paid for her prescription.

“I guess I will see you around” she said faking a smile.

Elisha looked on as she left; he liked her a lot but was mature enough to know she wasn’t interested.