Flashback
It's not as bad as we thought but it's still what it is. The prognosis for your condition is relatively good, considering. But it's still Cancer Richard, we need to prepare for the possibility that it might've spread
End of Flashback
It's Stage One Colon Cancer Anak. They said that the prognosis is good, but I have to have surgery. and then they'll see, if the cancer has spread. If not, they'll close me up and I'll be good as new. So see? There's no need to worry, and there's no need to involve other people in this.
But what if it spread? Involve other people, you mean mama?
She really doesn't need to know, or get involved. Anak, really i'm fine. I just want you to be there with me when I recover.
She's still your wife. She needs to know.
I've lost all rights. She may be my wife, in my heart she is, but I have no right to hers anymore, after the way I've hurt her.
Look papa. What if she found out, and she finds out that we lied to her. She'll get hurt even more.
I want your mama back anak. I want her back, when I'm whole and healed, when I can be her man again. I seem to always feel there's no perfect time to be together again. I always ask myself, what if I ran out of time, if it becomes too late. What's worse, is that what if she just comes back because she knows I'm sick, and she'll just pity me. I don't need pity, not from her, and not from you too anak.
Flashback
But doc, you can cure it naman. I mean doc, you have to give me some assurance. I went to you because they told me you're the best. Doc, you have to give me hope, My daughter and I are just starting to build a relationship again.
You know how cancer works Richard, it's unpredictable. All I can tell you is this, from a father to another. Take this time and be with your daughter. Don't waste your time on if's and but's, just be a father, don't let the cancer get the best of you.
I get you. I'm just scared because I used to think that it was the distance I was chasing, I guess now, I'm just chasing time. Time to rebuild my family.
End of Flashback.
How do you expect me to keep this from her?
Tell her that bringing you on a vacation. Or better yet, I'm going on a immersion for work for a month, para di ka madamay, take care of your Lolo, I don't want him to worry. Please, I know I'm the last person to ask anything from you. But you have to do this for papa.
If I didn't catch you talking to that woman today? Would you have told me you were sick?
No... Yes... I don't know anak. I am so confused. I wanted to tell you. But how do you tell your daughter that you might be dying? That your dreams of being her first dance to her debut, to her wedding are all crushed because you don't know what the future holds. That I probably can be weak, and not be there for moments in your life when you need me to be strong for you. How do I do that? Sometimes, masakit man isipin sana I didn't come back to your life nalang. Para Di na din masakit Kung mawala ako.
