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That Was Hidden

Speaking of dad, where is that angel who acts as if he’s my father ever since he came? He was pestering me earlier on why I laid in bed doing nothing when there’s a lot of house chores waiting.

I finally saw him in the kitchen staring at nowhere. When I sauntered closer, I realized it was not nothing but someone. He’s ogling someone, and that someone is my mom. I was about to call him when he said something under his breath.

Frankly, that was weird. Why would he miss mommy when she doesn’t even know him? And then, something clicked in my mind. I walked over to the table where several pictures are on.

“Not here.”

I opened the drawer and searched the inside. After looking under those papers, I finally found the photo that was hidden.

“Hey, you finished with laundry already?”

I pivoted and found Ade staring―messy sandy hair that reached his shoulder, hazel eyes, a halo, and everything angel-like. He’s gorgeous but I’m not attracted. Not at all. But I’m a full-pledged lady, for Pete’s sake! Chase won’t be my boyfriend if I’m not.

I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the study room―which used to be dad’s 8 years ago―filled with piles of papers I’m sure mom owns.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, facing him, hands on my hips. He’s been staying for a month already yet he didn’t mention anything.

He only stared back, confused. “Tell you what?”

I showed him the photo I found. I saw it a year ago when I was looking for some papers in the drawer. I know it was mom and dad in their early years, and I remembered it just now.

“You’re Adrian King.  That you are my dad.”

“Where’d you get that?” he was referring to the photo I was holding.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t try to dodge it. Just tell me why you didn’t say so.”

He began pacing back and forth, running a hand through his hair. He’s hesitating, I can tell. In the span of one month, I got to know a lot about him. When he’s pissed, he rolls his shoulder back then licks his lips; he blinks several times when nervous; and he pouts a little when thinking really hard.

“You weren’t supposed to know.” He finally stopped walking. Gosh, that got dizzy. “But since it happened, I think it’s time.”

“Are you here because of mom?”

He nodded.

“Then why aren’t you talking to her? It has been 8 years but I know she’s… that she hasn’t fully moved on.”

“It’s the rule. I can stay for awhile but I must not tell you who I am. Coming here is already a big risk.”

“So why am I the only one who can see you? Why not mom?”

“Why not you?” he’s staring at me. And as I stare back at those hazel eyes, which now I know I got from, I can tell it’s a look parents give to their child. Only to their child.

I took a step back and looked away, breaking our eye-contact. “She’s still crying, you know. It’s been 8 years yet I still hear her cry.” I paused. Flashbacks from all those nights came to me. “She denies it but I know she cries.”

“I don’t know where to start. There’s so much I want to say that I have no idea which one I would say first.”

There was silence. He said earlier that he must not communicate to the person, the reason he’s here, ‘because it’s the rule. Does that mean he’s leaving soon? Just a few words won’t be enough.

“Write to her. Write a letter, a love letter or whatever you call it. Tell her everything. Tell her that you still…” I shook my head, “no, tell her that you always love her. Always did, always will. I’d give it to her. Tell her I found it somewhere.”

“Thank you, Yera.” He hugged me. Now I know what that feeling was every time he hugs me before. It’s a hug I used to get from my dad when I was younger.

“Anyway,” I said pulling away from the hug, “mom said you were the one who gave me my name. Where’d you get it? It’s kinda weird. Mom’s not Chinese and you’re an Australian.”

“Yera Wen.” Ade smiled. “It’s a name only for you. It’s your birthday, you see.”

“January 1, the beginning of the year. What’s with it?”

“New Year.” I rolled my eyes at that. Of course I know its New Year. “The beginning. Our beginning, Jia’s and mine, as a family.”

“Yera… Wen…” I uttered my name slowly, taking in the meaning of it. It made me smile. “Really is special. No bias, dad.”

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