I was beginning to notice Papa getting distant again. It's been a week since he texted me. Is he embarrassed at the comment he posted?
Hey, penny for your thoughts. Mama said.
Wala lang, it's just papa hasn't texted. And he usually texts.
Maybe he's just busy anak?
Maybe.
I spent the day at the mall to distract myself. Then I saw papa, there with a lady, a beautiful one at that. And as wrong as it sounds, I spied on them. Is she his girlfriend?
Are you sure that you don't want to tell Ava?
For what pa Agnes? Para maawa siya sa akin?
Maawa? Why?
Sus mio, Richard. Yan na yung anak mo oh. Matagal mo na inaantay, tapos Ito itatago mo sa kanya? I'm sure she's more capable now to take care of you.
What's worse you know, is that she'll tell Dawn pa. And I don't want her pity, not now, not ever.
Kung ako sayo, tell them before it's too late. Ayaw Kong makitang pinagsisinan yan.
What is papa hiding from me. Is he sick?
I asked the driver to bring me to papa's house. And I waited for him there.
Oh anak, kanina ka pa andito? Sorry ha, I haven't been in touch. Super naging busy lang si papa.
Busy saan?
Uh sa photo shoot anak. Alam mo naman, sa pogi ng tatay mo. In demand.
Eh sino yung kasama mo sa mall kanina?
You saw us?
Oo. What a are you hiding from me.
Anak, it's not what you think. Agnes is not my girlfriend. She's actually my shrink, after you guys left, your tita Pia thought na I needed someone to talk to, someone who didn't know me. Who wouldn't judge me because I paid her to listen to me, it's her job as my psychiatrist.
Then what were you talking with her then. Bakit ako maawa sayo papa?
Uh wala yun anak. Wag mo na isipin yun nagiinarte Lang ako.
Please papa I'm begging you. Cause if I can help you I will. You know that.
Anak... I can't, and you can't help me.
Why not!! Papa, I may be only 18. But I'm old enough.
Because how would you feel if I told you I'm sick?
What? No. You can't be.
Anak, I am. That's why I haven't been contacting you this past week. And I'm sorry, if I felt I had to hide it from you. But the more I think about you worrying about me, the more of a failure of a father I am. How I can't be strong enough for you. Anak, I don't want your pity. I want you to stay with me because you love papa, not because you pity me cause I'm sick
Papa I will never leave you. And never think that I'm staying because I know you're sick. You're still my papa, my super hero and I love you so much. But I'm sticking with you more because you need someone to take care of you. If that means taking on less projects or taking more time away from school then so be it.
Thank you anak. But you are doing no such thing. Whatever projects you have you stick with it. And you are not sacrificing your studies. Anak, you have to promise me that you'll live the best childhood you can.
Yes papa. I love you so much.
Promise me one more thing.
What is it?
Don't tell mama.
