My Dear Ava

Always and Always.

He said he'll show, guess not. Why do I bother hoping? He has a brand new family, both of them do. While me? Shoved on the side. I guess Class Valedictorian still not enough. I thought it would've been him to hang my medal.

Flashback
I couldn't get off the car fast enough. I had to show him my award.

'Papa! Look!!' Unfortunately no Papa in sight.

'Ya? Si papa po?' Yaya Yolly and Manong Ben looked at each other as if they're keeping something from me.

'Anak kasi, umalis si papa mo kanina' trying to break the news lightly. My eyes teary eyed at this point. Then mama enters from the front door.

'Oh? Anong nangyari? Why are you crying anak?' She asked.

'Mam, pinaabot ho ni sir.' She handed a letter.

End of flashback

I never got to show him my award. And no my papa didn't leave, they had a cool off period, then they reconciled, or at least they say they tried. Until eventually, my happy family was in shambles. I was suddenly in between houses, alternating holidays. I was a child of a broken home. Of course promises of nothing's going to change were made, well, bullshit. My life as we know it was never the same. Both of them remarried, with kids of their own. While sometimes I feel like in a vague bubble, all alone. Of course they still love me, and I feel that. At the same time I can't help but feel unloved.

Anyways, back to the present. He promised me he'll come to my high school graduation. Cause he said 'I wouldn't miss it for the world'. I guess the world needed him more, he never showed. At the family dinner mama's side, I still somehow felt alone. That feeling of, it's my party and yet, it's not my party. All I got was a sorry from my papa the next day, but I was too mad to face him. He gave my yaya his 'graduation gift'. I didn't even bother open it.

The next day, I left for the states. I still start school in a few months, but I came earlier to get away from Manila, and start my new life in the States. I looked for a job, because I didn't want to rely on my parents for my allowance, my scholarship could only be spread so much. I had opened all but one box. The graduation gift. It was a Tiffany box. I finally opened it.

A locket with our picture on it. And engraved forever and forever.

Then I opened the letter.

My dearest Ava,

Sorry papa wasn't able to make it to your graduation. Naduwag si papa. I don't know if I ever deserve to hang your medals. You excelled in school because you were guided by your Daddy A. And I owe him the acknowledgement, that you being a valedictorian is all him, he raised you to be perseverant and hardworking. He tutored you when I wasn't there. He should be there in that stage, not me anak. Papa is very sorry. But I owe that to Anton. And if you're still mad at me for that. Ok lang anak. Naiintindihan ni papa. Madami akong naging utang. And if you let me make it up to you, I will. You will forever and forever be papa's princess. Wear this locket, so as long as you are, you are keeping me near your heart. I love you anak.