Frank felt so comfortable as he applied the creams on his body. It was only when he turned to grab his clothes from the bed that he noticed the presence of Taiwo. He froze for a moment, surprised, before breaking into a warm smile.
“Oh, Taiwo! You’re here!” he exclaimed with surprise. “How long have you been standing there?”
Taiwo didn’t respond immediately, she was a bit lost in thought and had no idea someone was calling out to her.
“Taiwo? Taiwo!!” Frank called again, his voice rising slightly in concern. The sharpness in his tone snapped Taiwo back to reality, and she blinked rapidly.
"Are you alright?" He added.
“Yes, Dad, I’m fine,” she replied softly.
Frank tilted his head, studying her with a mixture of curiosity and paternal concern.
“I didn’t even know when you walked in. How long have you been standing there?”
“Umm, Umm... I just came down now,” she stammered, her mind racing for an excuse. “I... I came to pick up some of my stuff that I forgot here.”
She slightly moves toward the dresser. Her heart was racing hoping her father didn't suspect she had been standing inside the room since and wouldn't scold her after.
But to her surprise, Frank simply nodded with a softened expression.
“Alright,” Frank said as he gestured toward the bed. “You can have a seat.”
Taiwo was surprised that her father offered her a sit, and slowly, she made her way to the bed and sat down.
Frank wasn't bothered, rather he engaged her in a discussion as he moved around from one end of the house to the other. Taiwo kept staring at her father as he moved about, and she suddenly decided to speak up.
“Daddy Daddy,” She called out to her father in a romantic manner.
Frank stared at her with a confused expression, his eyes searching for some clue as he struggled to understand her expression.
Taiwo looked away, slowly fidgeting with the hem of her cloth. But Frank simply shrugged and turned back to dressing up for where he was going.
“Dad! Can I help dress you up?” Taiwo asked with eagerness. Frank paused and turned to look at her, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Dress me up? Can you even dress me?” he teased.
Taiwo nodded eagerly, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Yes, Daddy. I can even bathe you. You’re my father, and I can do anything for you. Remember when we were small? You used to bathe us. Now it’s our turn to bathe you as you get older.”
Frank burst into laughter, the sound rich and warm, filling the room. He shook his head, clearly amused by her words.
“Oh, Taiwo, you’re something else,” he said, still chuckling, completely unaware of how his daughter’s eyes lingered on him for a moment too long.
“Dad, I’m your only daughter,” she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “And you promised to do anything I asked, remember?”
Frank nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I said. And I’ve been doing my best to keep that promise, haven’t I?” He reached for a shirt, slipping it over his broad shoulders.
“Our birthday is coming very soon,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “And I want to ask you for a favor, Dad.” She pleaded with a pitiful expression.
Frank turned to face her fully. “Come on, my queen. Spit it out. Your father will do his best to make it happen. Even if it means taking out a loan, I’ll do it for my only daughter.”
Taiwo took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “Dad, when we were eight, You, Mum, Kehindey, and I, used to bathe together in the bathroom. It was so much fun. I’ve really missed those happy times. I wish we could bathe together again before we turned 18.”
Frank stood frozen, his eyes wide with surprise. For a long moment, he didn’t say a word.
Taiwo’s heart raced, hoping she hadn't said something out of turn as her palm grew sweaty.
“Dad? Is something wrong? Are you not okay with it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Finally, Frank blinked and let out a soft chuckle. “Okay then. I thought it was something else. But since it’s just a cool bath with my only daughter, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’d go miles to make you happy,” he said with a warm voice.
Taiwo’s face lit up with relief and joy. “Thank you so much, Dad!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
When she heard her mother humming a cheerful song as she walked toward the room, she quickly stood up and turned to leave.
“I have to go catch up with my twin brother now,” she added, her tone suddenly hurried.
Frank stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway, and he let out a long breath he had no idea he had been holding, his mind swirling with thoughts he couldn’t quite put into words.
Slowly, he finished buttoning his shirt and hurried to where he was going to.
Chapter 5 Let\'s Enjoy