I was alone thinking I was just fine
I wasn't looking for anyone to be mine
I thought love was just a fabrication
A train that wouldn't stop at my station
Home, alone, that was my consignment
Solitary confinement
So when we met I was skirting around...
Stephen leans back against the chair as he reads Eli's message, thinking of the last day he glanced at her. He feels pity for the gal — because growing up without a father leaves missing piece in one's life, and longingness — but Lea did a great job in rearing her offspring all by herself. She is tough and doughty as ever. For the passed twelve years, Lea has never been heard by him. He tracked her down but to no avail. Her whereabouts were unknown to him but he completely understood. For years without her, not even a single day did Lea slip off his mind. She is his greatest love. His one and only cherished woman. Upon reading Eli's message, he is pumped up to glance at her beauty again though things are entail now with complexity. He is getting married the succeeding month.
But that same effect everytime he heard of Lea's name remains unchanged.
Seconds passed with few rings, he wishes Eli would pick up the call. And when the gal's face popped up on the screen, he grins seeing the child he'd willing to own just to have Lea in his life.
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"Hi, baby", he started.
Eli pulls herself together. If it's just any other person, she won't feel this too much excitement. But it's him — the man she believes her dad. "Hello...", she feels a flurry of excitement. "Mmmmm. S-sorry, Sir. I have to lower my tone so mommy won't hear me"
Stephen chuckles, "I understand. Your mom doesn't know about this and if she does ..."
"I'm dead", she butt in.
Stephen laugh at Eli's response. "I know your mom too well. She is strict so I am not stun to hear it from you. How are you? And your mom? What does she do for a living?"
"Mommy, tita Emma and Mama J put up a tutorial school. Do you still remember Mama J? Mommy said he had a crush on you back then"
He grins, "yes, baby. But your mom is whom I love so much"
Eli feels the rhythmic throbbing of her heart, she smiled. "That's why you have me, da ... Sir. Mommy enrolled me in a Catholic school this year because she wants to lessen my stubbornness. At first I don't like there. The school policies are stringent. I can't even bring my favorite chips with me and all foods served at the food court are just nasty. I hate veggies but when mom is around I have to pretend liking it or she won't allow me eat other foods for the whole week"
Stephen just keeps on laughing at Eli's complain.
"... but I am loving it there na. Candyce, my best friend and tita Emma's daughter, is my classmate. I am also a student president at our school and to two of our school clubs. I am a top student as well, da ... S-Sir. Mommy is very proud. Are you too?"
He sighed in amazement of how Lea rears an intelligent child all by herself. But feels his heart warmth upon seeing the longingness in Eli's eyes. If he could only beat up Aga at this juncture for breaking Lea back then, "I am, baby. Of course. You're a grown up now. The last day I heard of you was when you were still in your mommy's belly. I could still call to mind her blooming face. Looking at you, you got all your mom's aesthetics. Your mom is my first love and it perdures til this very day", he takes a deep breathe before raining on Eli's parade.
"But I am sorry to disappoint you, baby, I am not your daddy. Your mommy and I were never been a thing back then. I wished that happened .... but it didn't. We didn't. Also, apology for this but I looked into your account and your town is just few hours from mine. Would you mind if I visit you and your mommy? Don't worry she won't know any of this. This is our little secret"
Eli went silent for awhile, eyes turn glassy that worried Stephen.
"Baby, I am sorry"
Eli wipes off the tears drifting down her eyes, "I ... I thought you're my dad. I saw the photo that you gave to mommy. You said 'I love you' to her"
"Oh. That one? Yups. It's my birthday gift for her along with flowers and chocolates. But I ... am not your daddy, eh"
Eli looks down her gaze, "b-but ... do you know my dad?"
Stephen paused, thinking on how to response. Apparently, Lea never said anything to Eli. And he has no right to do so, "It shouldn't come from me, Eli"
"Mommy doesn't say anything about daddy eh"
"Then ... you should understand it. Baby, there are things you can't understand for now but when you grow up I am sure Lea would say it all to you. You need a daddy on your school event, right? I can attend", he suggests, but Eli just pout with downcast eyes.
"It's alright, Sir. Don't mind it. Mmmmm. I ... I don't give address to anyone. Mommy would get mad"
"It's fine. I can attend your school event. One day lang naman diba?"
"It's fine, Sir", she declines.
"Tito ... call me tito Stephen. Your mom and I are great friends"
"Tito ... sorry for disturbing you. I won't do it again. I am very sorry", she feels embarrassed.
"Eli, it's nothing. I know you want to meet your dad. Someday when your mom is prepared for it, she would let you meet him"
"That is just impossible. Mommy said he has a family of his own. I can't meet him because things are complicated. My dad doesn't know about me and mommy told me that it's the best thing. Wag ko na lang daw siya hanapin", Eli pouts.
Stephen concurs to Lea's decision. It will take away Eli from pain. Aga must have been living the best part of his life right now, and Lea is just keeping Eli safe from the fact that her dad is an asshole.
"Your mom loves you so much. She'd do anything for you. She has a valid reason for doing it, Eli. Just understand your mom, okay?", Stephen tried to calm her down.
"Thank you, tito", Eli wipes off another tears that fell from her eyes. She heard her mom calling her name, "tito? Mommy is calling me downstairs. I have to hang up now. Sorry again, but I cannot give you my address".
"It's fine. No worries. Always be a good girl, okay?"
"Okay tito. Bye bye", she smiled before hitting the end button.
Lea knocked on her door, "Eli? Are you there?"
Eli fixed herself before twisting the knob, "yes, mommy. I am just .... doing my homework"
"Mamaya na yan. Let's just eat first. Come on", Lea is stunned upon seeing Eli throwing arms around her. "What's wrong? Is there any problem?", she lifts her face up. "Say it to mommy. Go on"
"I am fine, mom. I just want to hug you"
"Sus. Naglalambing. Halika na nga. Let's eat, nak", she held her hand. Eli feels a guilt flourished in her. She doesn't lie to her mom, but this one is an exemption.
There are only few days left before the event takes place.
Meanwhile, Stephen is staring at the city posted on Eli's account. It's just a small city. He can spend days just to track down Lea again.
And after hesitation and discombobulation, he made up his mind.
He walked out the office, "Ms. Arlene? I won't be around for a week. I'll let you handle the academe while I am away"
"No worries, Sir", his education coordinator replied.
There is an urge in his heart and longingness to see Lea before his big day. And if this is a work of fate, he's willing to take the risk. After all, Lea remains in his heart.
