Project LOKI ③

Chapter 48: Honor Thy Father V (The Dinner)

A/N: NO SPOILERS, PLEASE! Let's not ruin other people's reading experience. Thank you!

LORELEI

"I'm on my way to your apartment. Will be there in about... fifteen minutes. Please get yourself ready."

"Don't worry, dad. Kanina pa ako naka-ready rito."

"I'll see you in a few."

"Take care, dad."

"Take care too, Lorelei."

I HUNG up the call and let out a long sigh. Natulala ang aking mga mata sa pangalan ng papa ko. The light slowly dimmed and my reflection appeared on the screen. I don't know what to feel exactly. Was it excitement? Anxiety? Nervousness?

This was a strange moment for me.

If you haven't had dinner with your father in a while, what would you feel? Take note: Hindi ito basta-basta dinner kung saan kailangan mo siyang samahan dahil iyon ang nakagawian n'yo. Ito 'yong tipo ng dinner na ang papa mo mismo ang nagyaya at hindi ka napilitang samahan siya. Kapag kasi sabay kaming kumakain noon, I had no choice but to join him. Kaunting kumustahan lang tapos tahimik na kaming kakain hanggang sa matapos kami.

This time, I felt it's gonna be different. He treated me coldly all these years. Hindi ko naramdaman na ama ko siya, na umasta siya na isa siyang magulang sa akin. It felt like he's my dad in name only. He gave me his family name, his money, his roof above my head—but that's it. I somewhat resented him for making me feel that way. But given the recent developments, I wanted to give him a chance.

My dad Walter said he had some realizations in life, thanks to the situation that put him in danger. As it appeared right now, he's trying to make up with me. A step in the right direction, he said. A leap, I thought. All my life, I wanted him to be the dad that he was supposed to be to me. Ngayong nag-e-effort na siya, sino ba ako para magmatigas pa?

Hindi naman ako gano'n ka-excited para sa paglabas namin ngayong gabi. Pagpatak ng alas-singko, nang makauwi na ako sa apartment, naligo ulit ako at nagbihis. I chose a blouse and a skirt that gave off a semi-formal vibe. I needed to dress appropriately for the occasion. This doesn't happen very often anyway.

"Talagang bumabawi na ang daddy Walter mo, ah?" natutuwang komento ni Jamie. Nakaupo siya sa couch namin, nakasuot pa rin ng school uniform. She was twirling her hair in a braid. "Tama nga yatang sa Team Walter ako kumampi. Dapat mag-keep up si Sir Rivera kung ayaw niyang mapag-iwanan."

"This is not a competition," I reminded her. Heto na naman tayo sa Team Walter versus Team Friedrich. "Ni hindi pa nga natin alam kung siya ba talaga ang biological dad ko. Huwag muna natin siyang pangunahan."

"We'll find out soon, won't we?" Alistair asked. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng kanyang school uniform. Nakaupo siya sa couch habang nakahiga si Freya sa kanyang lap. He was gently stroking her chin. "Depende sa lab na pinagdalhan ng sample kung ilang araw ang hihintayin natin. I'm excited to know what the results will be."