THE LAST OF US: THE EVIL WITHIN

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 20

third person's pov.

...

"Dolunay?"

"Pa?"

"May pasalubong ako!"

I stopped what I was doing and rushed to the front door to meet Dad, who was carrying a bucket of fried chicken!

Back when I was a kid, I still remember that he'd always take me to our favorite fast-food restaurant to celebrate the simplest joys of my life.

He wasn't just any dad, he was a genuine soul, a cop with a heart of gold.

Dad wasn't the typical tough cop, he was compassionate, always giving food, money, and help to those in need. His heart was bigger than his badge. Ang despite his hectic schedule, he managed to balance his demanding job with being there for me. A superhero in uniform, he never let me feel the void my mom left behind.

Although,

I was ungrateful, stubborn, wrapped up in my world, oblivious to the sacrifices he made. He worked tirelessly, yet never missed a chance to spend time with me.

Now, looking back, I ache with regret for how I acted, how I took those moments for granted...

Mom's absence was a hole, but Dad filled it with love and warmth. He became my anchor, my confidant, my everything. I see now that I didn't need her, I had him,

and that was more than enough...

And now, as the years have passed, and I've matured, I yearn for the simplicity of those days. I wish I could turn back time, erase the unkind words and replace them with gratitude. But life doesn't work that way.

My biggest regret was not being able to say 'Thank you' and 'I love you' to him, my reluctance and pride was holding me back, making me not even once say those words...

You know, I find it funny, whenever we had fights, no matter the cause, Dad was always the first to say sorry, even when it was my fault. It was a testament to his selflessness and a reminder of the unconditional love he held in his heart.

"Dolunay, sorry, ha, hindi sinasadya ni papa."

In the haze of my self-centeredness, I only valued myself, blinded by my desires. I see now that I was foolish, unable to recognize the true worth of the person who stood faithfully by my side.

Losing my father, with the world into chaos, I realized the value of his presence...

Now, with him gone and everything in chaos, I finally understand how much he meant to me. I was foolish. The ordinary moments we shared have become precious memories, and I regret not appreciating them sooner.

It's tough realizing his importance only after he's gone, but it's a lesson to cherish those who stand by us before it's too late.

All I want now is to rest, to find solace with Dad. To tell him how much I love him, how thankful I am for all those moments he gifted me. I want to apologize for the times I pushed him away, for not realizing sooner that he was my anchor, my hero.

I hope, somehow, he knows that despite my shortcomings, he still loves me... even in the afterlife...

I would bet everything just to sit with him again on his favorite couch and watch action movies...

And in this quiet moment, I find comfort in the memories, wishing for a chance to rest with him, at peace...

CADMUS' POV.