โAhโฆ ahโฆโ
Iris trembled as she looked at Aldo. Aldo didnโt understand why his daughter was shaking even though her father had returned. In his hazy memory, all he could recall was his daughter clinging to him affectionately.
โUm, whatโs wrong, Iris?โ
Aldo tried to act cheerful, not wanting Iris to notice his memory loss. If she found out, it might shock her, so he was being cautious.
โUhโฆ umโฆโ
Iris looked at Aldo suspiciously. Normally, as soon as he came home, heโd start shouting, but now that wasnโt happening, and it was throwing her off.
โHey, itโs me. Your father, Aldo. Are you alright? Havenโt you forgotten me, have you?โ
Aldo pointed at himself with an awkward smile, wonderingโhowever unlikelyโthat perhaps sheโd forgotten him after heโd been away for a few days.
โUmโฆ yes, youโre my fatherโฆโ
Iris nodded slightly. Since he wasnโt shouting at her, Iris started to feel a little more at ease with him.
โAlright, Iโm glad you havenโt forgotten. Are you okay? Nothing happened while I was away for a few days?โ
โNoโฆ nothing happened.โ
Iris answered, feeling uneasy about how different Aldo seemed. Internally, she worried that if she said anything wrong, this pleasant Aldo would turn back into his usual self.
โAh, hahaโฆโ
An awkward silence fell between them. Aldo had planned to match his daughterโs mood when he got home, but her energy was unexpectedly low.
Thinking about it, Aldo wondered if perhaps Iris was hungry. Judging by her thin figure, she probably hadnโt been eating much.
โIris, are you hungry?โ
โUmโฆโ
Iris averted her gaze, which Aldo interpreted as reluctance.
โThereโs no need to hold back. Weโre family, after all.โ
โFamilyโฆ!โ
That word brightened Irisโs face a little. Aldo had always denied their family bond, often using violence. So it made her happy to hear him recognize her as his daughter. As long as he saw her that way, she figured he wouldnโt hurt her.
โIris, is there anything youโd like to eat?โ
โUmโฆ anything is fine.โ
โAnything is the hardest answer.โ
Aldo mumbled as he scratched his head. His casual remark struck a deep chord with Iris.
โAh, Iโm sorry! Iโll think of something right awayโฆโ
โNo, I didnโt mean it that way. Sorry.โ
โS-sorryโฆ?โ
It had been a long time since Iris heard him say that. Ever since her mother left, Aldo had never once apologized, even if she wasnโt at fault. Heโd shout, justifying himself, always convinced he was never wrong. Iris had come to believe she was a bad child, the cause of everything wrong.
But when Aldo apologized, Iris felt like her worth was finally being recognized.
โUhโฆ umโฆโ
โWell, it doesnโt have to be specific. You can just tell me if you want something sweet, or something spicy.โ
โUmโฆ Iโd like some sweet treats.โ
Iris murmured. Sweets were a common craving, especially for a young girl.
โSweet treats, huh? Alright, just wait a bit.โ
Aldo immediately started making something. Fortunately, his wife had left her kitchen tools behind when she left. Though they were dusty and unused, they were still functional.
He gathered the ingredients he had around the house and began making simple cookies. Despite the limited ingredients, there was just enough to make something basic.
While baking the cookies, Aldo started a conversation with Iris.
โIrisโฆ um, am I that scary to you?โ
Aldo asked casually, and Iris was taken aback. If she said โyes,โ he might get angry, but if she lied, he might scold her for lying.
โUmโฆ wellโฆโ
At this point, Aldo was convinced. Even without an answer, he understood: Iris was scared of him. Since he had no memories, he had no idea what had happened between them, but from her reaction, he guessed he might have treated her terribly.
โIโm sorry, Iris. You donโt have to answer if you donโt want to.โ
Aldo closed his mouth. In that silence, the cookies finished baking.
โHere, Iris. The cookies are done. Try one.โ
โO-okay.โ
Iris timidly took a cookie from him. They werenโt particularly well-shaped, but heโd made them with all his clumsy effort for her.
Aldo watched her carefully, hoping sheโd enjoy the cookies he made.
After staring at the cookie for a moment, Iris gathered her courage and took a bite. A small crunch and the warmth still lingering in the cookie made her eyes sparkle.
โItโs deliciousโฆ!โ
โIs that so? Iโm glad.โ
Aldo felt relieved, thinking he might have taken a small step toward connecting with Iris. She was also delighted to eat a treat, something sheโd never been given before.
โThank you, Dad.โ
โAh, yeah. Iโm glad you liked it.โ
Aldo scratched his nose shyly. It had been a long time since Iris thanked him, as he hadnโt done anything worth thanking before. But now, his kindness moved her deeply.
โUghโฆโ
โHey, Iris, whatโs wrong?โ
Iris started to cry, holding the half-eaten cookie. Aldo worried that he might have done something wrong.
But he hadnโt done anything wrongโquite the opposite. Heโd made her happy. Unaware that these were tears of joy, Aldo panicked, thinking heโd upset her.
โS-sorry, Iris. Did I do something to bother you?โ
โNo, itโs not thatโฆ Dad, youโre not going to leave, right?โ
Irisโs words held a lot of meaning. She feared her father might disappear like her mother had.
But there was another fearโthat the kind father in front of her might disappear, leaving her with the cruel version that hurt her. She was afraid the loving father would vanish, and the violent one would return.
โIrisโฆ donโt worry. I wonโt leave. Iโll always love you, and Iโll protect you. So you donโt need to worry about anything.โ
Aldo spoke quietly. He wanted to hug her gently, but he knew that their distance was still too far. He could see she was still cautious of him.
But that was okay. Even just words were enough. She could feel Aldoโs love through them alone.
โThank you, Dadโฆโ