I'll be Home [On Going]

Chapter 1

"What? Ah, sorry w-who's on the line again?"

And then, the line just ended. "Hello?" frowning, he checked his phone again to see that the caller already hung up. He couldn't keep his mind from the caller's statement. He doesn't even know if the caller is throwing a prank on him, 'What the hell?'

He drove his way until he got home. He immediately walked through his room, looking for something. Opening all the cabinets and anything he can open to search for it. He couldn't find it. Out of frustration, he headed directly to the huge custom built wooden bookshelf on the side of his tv screen. He looked at it for a couple of seconds before kneeling down to open the lower cabinet. It was spacious, even a kid can hide. The shelf automatically shifted in a 360 degree, giving him full access in a commodious area revealing tons of pictures and some of his and her belongings. For a moment, he stared at the whole room, roaming his eyes on every corner. Each stuff was covered with old white cloth like those in a horror movie. Without knowing where to start, he lifted each cloth he passes by, giving him vivid memories of the past. Minutes had passed and he's losing his patience already when a big size cloth dropped on his side. He lifted his gaze up on the wall with a big frame, old and dusty framed painting.

It was then when he heard his name from a far called by his housekeeper looking for him when he finally got back into his senses. He looked back to the old frame before he finally went out of that area leaving all stuff open with the cloth scattered on the floor.

"Sir?"

He almost jump when the door in his room swang opened, and his housekeeper break in, by the look of her, he can tell something is going on and he thinks he already know what but not just in particular. "What is it this time Nana?" The housekeeper Nana immediately answered him worriedly "Ah Sir? S-si Hope po kasi di pa po umuuwi, eh kaninang 5:00 PM pa po ang labas. Tinawagan ko na din po ang ibang kaibigan nya, hindi naman daw po nila ito kasama. Nag-aalala na po kasi ako." He runs his fingers on his hair out of irritation, worry and again, frustration. "Maghintay ka sa baba Nana, may kakausapin lang ako." He's trying to call his friends as he walks back and forth in the hallway. On the third ring, his friend Richard picked up the phone "Hey, what's up 'pre?" He sighed, "It's Lianne –"

"Oh? Wag mong sabihing naglayas na naman?" his friend guessed.

"No. I mean she can't do that, not this time. We have an agreement." he assured him.

"Ok, so how can I help?" Richard offered.

Richard knows his friend so much, Aga may not show his love to his daughter directly, he knows he love her deeply that it might get him crazy when he loses her. They all know his weakness, and that includes ofcourse, his daughter – at most now. He cannot afford to lose another one in his life. Not anymore, that's why they're always on his side ready to support him in all the way possible they can. They witnessed him on his very down state. They were there when his life almost fell into a mess. "Have you spoken to your wife? Maybe she talked to Lianne – or..." a light cuss emitted under his breath. "It's already passed 9:00 PM and she's not home yet. She doesn't even call." Aga said almost losing his temper. "Alright, we'll try to call the –"

"Sir? Sir? Andito na po si Hope!" Richard was stopped by Aga's housekeeper. "God! Thanks for the help man but she's here, call you back. Thanks again." then Aga hung up, leaving Richard in awe. Richard on the other hand shook his head wearing a wry smile on his face. 'Mga bata talaga ngayon.' he thought and went back to his room.

"What time is it young lady?!" low but firmed and serious tone, Aga asked to his daughter that is now walking near him to give a kiss but Aga rose his hand, stopping her in the midst. Hope sighed as she looked down on his wristwatch "9:25 PM Dad." she answered, obviously nervous. Aga gave her a questioning look as she waited for his second question. "W-We had a meeting for the upcoming school fest. I'm sorry Dad for not informing you nor Nana. My phone is dead, plus I'm stuck in traffic" Hope answered not waiting for his father to ask. She knows it already. Not minding what his daughter said, Aga instructed Nana to prepare food for her and went back straight to his room.

"Hay nako naman kasi Hopie, sana naman kasi sa susunod, umaga pa lang magsabi na sila nang sa ganon naman eh makapag paalam kayo para hindi kami nagaalala dito, anong oras na oh." Nana told her as she heads in the kitchen to prepare her dinner. "I'm not hungry Nana. Thanks, but good night." Hope said as she runs to her room, leaving Nana speechless in the dining area.

The next day, Hope is waiting for his father on the dining area so they can eat breakfast together. She plans to ask for an apology again and that she will not do same thing again. She knows it. She felt it. He may not tell it directly to her, she knows in her heart that her father cares for her. And with that little thought her heart warms, making it visible on her face. "Oh? Tinatawa mo dyan 'nak?" Nana asked as she noticed her smiling out of nowhere. She laughed a little as she shook her head not answering Nana's question.

"Good morning." Aga greeted as he took the middle chair, without looking at her.

"Good morning Dad." She greeted back as she stood up and gave her father a kiss on the cheek. Aga didn't mind his daughter's gesture, if he only knows, she's just guilty from what she did last night.

"I will be on a business trip tonight by 8:00 PM so don't wait for me." Aga informed them. She just nodded in response 'Lagi naman eh.' she thought. Aga stood up as he finished his breakfast when his daughter spoke "Ah Dad, sorry po pala ulit sa nangyari kagabi." Aga gave her a glance but Hope looked down afraid to meet his eyes "It won't happen again." and then she resumed to her food, the latter then walks his way out of their house.

~~

"Oh pare, kumusta si Lianne?"

"She's fine. She forgot to informed us about their meeting and she was stuck in traffic, well she said." Aga said and shrugged his shoulder. "Ayan ka na naman eh, kaya ka nap-praning eh. Trust her words ok? She's a good girl and you know she won't lie right? At least not now." Richard said sounds convincing. Aga looked at him before he closed his eyes as the plane started to lift.

'Dear Missy,

I did something terrible yesterday, again. Well, I just forgot to inform my dad as well as my Nana that I will be home late. Ok, we had a meeting first then I went to a place where I usually find my peace of mind. I went there to think of some things. I find it relaxing there. My fault is, I didn't notice the time. You know what? I felt happy even though he's disappointed. Because now, I can feel that he cares.

Anyway, he's on a business trip tonight until I don't know when. I didn't bother asking him because for what? It doesn't matter. He never comes back exactly on the date he tells us when we should expect him to get back after his trip. So perhaps, I'll wait for him to come back when he comes back. Lol.

Going back, yesterday was actually a good day. I was chosen to be part of this little play in our school and I can't wait to perform it with my friends! Yes, I seldom do plays in school but I'm not really into it. It's just that, the play that we're going to play is something that I can really relate. As if the story was written for me. Well, you gotta wait for it.

Good night Missy, 'til next time.

- Lianne'

She closed her journal, uttered a short prayer and got herself into a deep slumber.