What He Didn't Know... (Rewritten Version)

Chapter 5: Prank?

Malena's P.O.V.

After my little disagreement with my mom, I stayed in my room until my father came home. When he knocks on the door, I already knew that my mom told him what had happened earlier. So, the soft knock on the door does not surprise me.

"Come in." Sitting up against the headboard when I see him walking in with a smile.

"Princesa. Did I wake you?" 

Giving him a small smile, I say. "No papi. I was not sleeping."

Nodding, he lowers himself on the mattress on the side of me. "How was your trip?"

"Fine. How was work?"

"Fine. How is Ryan?"

"Fine. How are you?"

"Fine..." Smirking at our little game. I know he is going to say more knowing he spoke to my mother before heading up here to see me.

"Just tell me what mami told you so we can get on with it." Sighing at the staring contest we were both about to have if no one spoke first.

With a heavy sigh, he takes my hand in his. "Yes, she told me what happened and how you reacted."

"Can you blame me papi? She went behind my back and invited them... him from all people. Knowing full well that I most likely will be seeing him in the reunion -- which of course I could ignore him there -- but him here? In our house? Is she trying to set me back a few years?"

With another sigh he responds. "You know mami is not trying to be malicious by inviting them. We discussed it and I agreed with her that it is time Malena. It is time. You have been holding on to so much for the past ten years and I really do not blame you. You know how I wish that I could have taken your pain away. When I found out that those pendejos were making your life miserable, I was ready to go to that school and kick all of their sorry asses."

I could not help but smile. My father, Hector Rodriguez was a very calm and reasonable man. I had never seen him raise his voice or stay angry for too long. But the day that he found out what was done to me, another side of him surfaced. He was going to storm the school, kick ass and then take names after. He was so enraged that he threatened to press charges but like a scared coward, I begged him not to. All I wanted to do was finish school and move away from my tormentors.

"There is nothing in this world I would not do for you Lena," He continues noticing his eyes starting to mist." You are my first born, the reason why I changed my ways. I was not the best man back then and I regret the way I treated your mother in the beginning of our relationship. I did not deserve her and especially you. But the second I held you in my arms after you were born, my heart grew a hundred times bigger, and my mentality changed for the better. You, mija and your mami of course changed me and I am the man I am because of it. People make mistakes Lena and if you do not learn to forgive fully, then they have a hold on you for the rest of your life. You will be a prisoner. I am not saying to forget what happened, you need to heal from that also, but forgiveness is the biggest gift you can give yourself mija. Please, think about it."

Chewing on my bottom lip, I start to think about it and a smidge of self-doubt crosses my mind. The sight of a broken girl who wanted to die after what was done has been hard to wipe off my mind.

"I know that look mija and do not. You are strong. You always have been like your mom and me. But after your nervous breakdown, I realized just how strong you were trying to be to keep it together for us. The guilt we both felt for not getting you the help you needed even when you refused it." Seeing a tear roll down my father's eye broke me.