One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 20

Katarina's POV

As I stood there, watching the taillights of Francis' car disappear into the darkness, I couldn't move. My body felt frozen, like the cool night air had seeped into my bones. His hug-it was still fresh in my mind, as if his arms were still wrapped around me. Bakit ko siya hinayaan? Why didn't I push him away? Why didn't I say anything?

I could still feel the weight of his head resting on my shoulder, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. It wasn't just an ordinary hug. It was filled with something deeper, something I couldn't quite understand. The way he clung to me, like he needed me to hold him together. And, Damn, I didn't expect to feel comforted by it. I didn't expect to feel... safe.

What's worse is I didn't stop him. I didn't even try. I just stood there, parang tanga, letting him pull me into his world of exhaustion and frustration. I could sense it, how tired he was, how much he was carrying. And for a brief moment, I felt like I could carry it with him.

Then, just like that, he was gone-leaving me here, standing in the dark, wondering what had just happened.

"Kat?"

My father's voice broke through the quiet night, pulling me back to reality. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the living room light. He looked at me with those familiar eyes, full of concern, sensing something was off.

Ano na naman kaya iniisip ni Papa?

I couldn't meet his gaze for long, so I followed him inside, my mind still reeling from what just happened. The living room felt quiet, almost too quiet, like the house itself was holding its breath. I walked in slowly, feeling the tension in the air.

My father sat down on the sofa and gestured for me to sit next to him. His eyes were still watching me, waiting for some kind of explanation, but I didn't even know where to start. How could I explain to him what just happened when I barely understood it myself?

I took a deep breath and sat beside him, the weight of everything starting to press down on me.

"Sorry, Papa..." I started, my voice barely a whisper. "Sorry for keeping everything from you."

He didn't say anything, but I could feel his eyes on me, urging me to continue. The guilt started to rise in my chest, and before I knew it, the words came pouring out.

"Sorry for everything, Papa. I'm so sorry."

I could see the memories flash before my eyes-the moment I came back from Seoul, confused and scared, discovering two weeks later that I was pregnant. The fear of disappointing my father was too much, so I hid it from him. But he knew. Of course, he knew. He always knew.

When I finally told him, I remember how disappointed he was. He didn't say much, but the silence between us was enough. He didn't talk to me for the rest of my pregnancy, but I knew he still cared. He was distant, but I could see the way he still worried about me.

The tears started to fall before I could stop them, and I buried my face in my hands, sobbing quietly. "I don't know what to do, Papa. I don't know if I should tell him about Sarang. I don't know if it's the right time... or if it's ever going to be the right time."

My father's arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. I cried harder, letting out everything I had been holding in for so long. The confusion, the guilt, the fear-it all came rushing out.

He held me in silence for a while, letting me cry until I had no more tears left. Then, he spoke softly, his voice steady and calm.

"Katarina, sa lahat ng bagay na may kinalaman kay Sarang, ikaw ang may karapatan magdesisyon. You're her mother. Whatever decision you make, it's yours to make, and no one else's. But remember, He still deserves to know the truth. If you're not ready yet, that's okay. Don't rush yourself, anak. You'll know when the right time comes."