Chapter Six - 'Ello Gov'na?
The wall clock's ticks boomed and tension in the living room intensified as Klaus, Jeffery, Nicole, and Paul sat down on the couch. Doctor Ilunga-Diaz gently placed refreshments and snacks on the table in front of them and smiled as she left them alone. Jeffrey and Nicole reached for the snacks and ate them like it was the end of the world.
"Guys really?" Paul whispered.
"Sorry, but we have a fast metabolism and the biscuits smell so good," Nicole replied with her mouth stuffed with biscuits. The sight of two eating carelessly disgusted Paul.
"It's alright mate. No need to be tense. Let them enjoy the courtesy of Samantha's mother." Klaus said, gripping Paul's shoulder.
"Right? Says the guy that's gripping my shoulder and biting his lip." Paul replied.
Klaus smiled nervously. "It's that obvious?" He said.
His three friends nodded in unison. "Well, her parents can go from 0 to intense in a second from just their stare."
The day before, Samantha told Klaus about her father's military background and this made his mature composure dwindle. He was not ready to visit the Diaz home after finding out Samantha's father was a former US Navy Seal.
A voice boomed from the hallway. "Uh, Klaus. How are you today? Are these the friends of yours that Samantha told me about?" The voice was Samantha's father, Doctor Charles Diaz. This encounter was the first time that Klaus paid attention to the Doctor's features. He was a lean 6'4'' Hispanic man with dark black hair and a well-defined beard.
"And what are your names?" Doctor Diaz asked.
"This is Paul, Jeffrey, and Nicole. We all go to your Samantha's AP class." Klaus replied.
"That's interesting. Klaus, can you do me a favour? Can you say 'Ello Gov'na'?" Doctor Diaz's American destroyed the British phrase, but Klaus didn't argue.
"Ello Gov'na?" Klaus replied eloquently.
"Wow? You're really from Europe, uh?" The doctor laughed.
The atmosphere thinned, and the teenagers became comfortable. Samantha's father talked with the teenagers as though they were his children, making it easy for them to be open and themselves. The teenagers talked about their dreams, hobbies, and who was the smartest among them. They all agreed it was Klaus and laughed. Then Doctor Diaz asked about the trip and whether everyone's parents were aware and had agreed to let them go. The conversation went smoothly until Doctor Diaz suddenly stared at the teenagers in silence. The atmosphere thickened again and the doctor's tone deepened and leaned towards the teenagers.
"14 years ago, the US led an armed coalition campaign against the invasion and annexing of Kuwait by Iraq. I was there as a navy seal together as a friend of mine. We performed reconnaissance along the coastline of Kuwait and I was in charge of a company with trained K9s. Our job was to gather intel in our respective areas and it was precedent to be stealthy, attentive, and quick to discern and assess the situation. Klaus, do you know why I asked you to say 'Ello gov'na' ?"
"No, sir," Klaus replied.
"It was because that phrase is associated with Brits from the south of the UK, mainly within a London or a 100km radius, maybe. Your mannerisms are those of someone raised with good etiquette. However, the way you socialise with your peers here and the way you responded to our other encounters gave me the impression that you have a rebellious nature that you've tamed quite a way. Jeffery and Nicole have more carefree attitudes because of how relaxed you are seated and the fact that you're the only two covered in biscuit crumbs. Finally, Paul, you're a little less expressive and stern with your words and gaze at your peers. A little condescending, but not a bad kid. So you now know that I can't easily be deceived and if I leave my daughter, it's best you know what would likely happen if you try to harm her."
The teenagers turned blue with fear. Here was a man they got so comfortable conversing with such easy psychoanalysing them with great accuracy. Klaus now understood what Samantha meant.
She texted him saying, "My dad's really cool but sometimes he can get into a military mode when he senses danger. He's quite scary, even for me lol."
Doctor Ilunga-Diaz coughed from behind her husband. "Dear, you are frightening them. They are just children." She said, bending down and stroking his back.
"Oh? Sorry, I got carried away." He laughed, embarrassed by losing himself to his protective instincts.
"Just give me the number for your parents and I'll deal with the rest. Dear, off you go." Doctor Ilunga-Diaz replied.
"But we're still talking."
"Je vais te frapper." She replied, raising her finger. She looked up to her husband, pointing towards the stairs, and he respected her directive.
Doctor Diaz smiled and raised his hands. "Okay, no need to be aggressive. I'm off. Sorry 'bout for getting carried away."
The couple went up the stairs, leaving the teenagers mortified on the couch, thinking hard about what he said to them.
"And you're crushing 'his' daughter? Dude, good luck." Jeffrey said, breaking the silence.
"Shut up Jeffrey," Paul replied.
Silence filled the room again, and then there was a sudden heavy movement coming from upstairs. Someone came running down the stairs to the living with great speed. It was Samantha panting from her marathon downstairs.
"Hey, guys. My mom just told me what my dad did. I'm so so sorry. I hope you can understand." Samantha said apologetically.
Paul shrugged his shoulders. "Well, the first cut is the deepest. I think we'll be leaving now. See you on the weekend." Paul said.
"Let me walk you guys out," Samantha replied sheepishly.
They all stood up and headed for the door. Klaus waited for his friends to exit the door so that he could talk to Samantha in private.
"Alright, I see why you said he can be scary, but I didn't expect him to be 'that' scary." He said.
"Yeah, that's just how he is." She replied, flushed.
They both stood staring at each other with conflicting thoughts about what happened. One thought of how embarrassing her father was to people she had just gotten to know, while the other thought of what awaited him in his pursuit of the girl he liked. Samantha felt demoralised to continue her friendship and Klaus felt encouraged to continue the friendship because he enjoyed the challenge.
"Excuse me! We have to get going. We have to meet my mom about some of the gear we'll need to carry." Nicole shouted, smiling. It seems Doctor Diaz's words didn't leave the teenagers in low spirits.
"I'll tell my mother to call your mother about all the logistics, yeah?" Klaus said.
"Um sure," Samantha replied.
The two teens reluctantly walked away from each and the door shut behind them both and they gave an anxious sigh, a look they didn't want that moment to end.