My belly hurt so much of laughing too hard. I swear I haven't laughed like that in years; we were watching an old cartoon of our childhood and we were sitting on the couch and my legs were on his lap. From time to time, he looked at my direction and when I caught him doing it, my cheeks turned bright red.
It was my last night before leaving tomorrow's flight to Asia. A big step, I should say. I was nervous and scared, not only because it was my first time traveling alone, but also, because we will be apart for a whole year.
He wasn't too thrilled as soon as I told him my plans, but was happy that I was starting to make things on my own without depending on someone else's opinion. He made me important, that I could be my own hero, while holding my hand and fighting by my side.
We spent that week packing and talking what we would do on my return. Sometimes I found myself speaking in a way I didn't know I could do it. I was feeling happy. No, I was happy. I felt it in my heart. It was a warm sensation. A new chapter in my life was about to begin.
Even though the relationship between me and my father was still tense and strained, he called me to wish me a safe flight. I sensed ''someone'' might've told him, which I was secretly proud.
''I'm happy'', I blurted out, not expecting an answer.
''Really?'', he asked, playing fool, ''why?''
''I don't know: maybe I don't need a reason to feel like this. I'm going to Asia, which is something huge; a good job will be waiting for me when I return, and also...'', I stopped mid sentence and stared directly at him, before whispering, ''I love you''.
He didn't say a word after that. He caressed my cheek and touched a loose hair of my bun and exhaled softly. He gave me the warmest of his smiles and kissed me.
''I love you more than you can convey. And as long as you're happy, I'm happy''.
He kissed me again, while the show continued on the TV. A new beginning was unfolding, and this time, I was ready to start again.
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