Chapter VIII: The Watch
1189 Words
This happened in 2009, and everything that happened to me is still very clear in my mind. The weather was cold and rainy, and my mother called me several times because I hadn't seen them in three years. My father kicked me out of the house the last time I met him, and almost all of the hurtful words he said to me hurt me so much that I left the house.
For a long time, I've wanted to return home. However, I was embarrassed and scared as a result of the incident.
At the time, I was on my way to work. I received a text message from my mother, telling me that she was forcing me to come back home because there was a celebration for my father's birthday. I didn't forget about his birthday. I miss them as well. But after reading my mother's text, my father insisted on driving me home. I immediately became excited and smiled. I'd forgiven him a long time ago.
I couldn't wait to get home and see my mother and father again. I left my house at six o'clock in the morning. I was smiling the entire time I was driving in my car, telling my boss on the phone that I couldn't come to work because of an emergency. I can still remember being overjoyed while driving after purchasing a gift for my father. A watch. That I promised him when I was a kid, I'd give him when I got a job.
I also can't get it out of my head how much I hoped he'd be happy and that he wouldn't be angry when I got home. While my car was slowing down at the orange light, and because I was in the lead at the crossroads, I was about to turn a corner. Suddenly, a man appeared on the side of the road, staring at me. It was pouring outside. It was completely wrapped in a black hoodie and staring at me. For a brief moment, I was stunned, and the horns of those behind me surprised me. I didn't realize I was already driving fast.
To my surprise, a child on a bicycle suddenly appeared on the side of the road, so I turned the steering wheel to the side and nearly struck a light pole. I realized at that moment that I had almost died and had killed someone. With the intensity of my nervousness as I reached the street's corner, I felt as if I was going to have a heart attack.
I was at a loss for words. I'm at a loss for words. But as soon as I saw our house, my nerves drained away. It's as if I'm overwhelmed with joy. My energy had returned, and I was eager to enter. I didn't mind the rain getting heavier. I simply parked in front of the gate and went into the house. There are so many tables outside the house, but no guests have yet arrived.
I just went inside, hoping to speak with my father. I saw Papa sitting at a table near the kitchen, holding his brow and staring into space. I tried to find Mama inside the house because I hadn't seen her, but she didn't appear to be there either, so I walked towards Papa. As I walked slowly and kept an eye on his back, he spoke up out of nowhere.
"Son.. I'm sorry. If you're mad at me."
I came to a complete halt. His voice was gentle, and I hadn't heard my father's voice in years. I wanted to respond and explain, but he seemed to be thinking deeply.
"We'd still be together if I hadn't kicked you out. Your mother and I miss you badly."
I just cried while listening to my father speak. I assumed he had been irritated for the previous three years. I assumed he had stopped accepting me as his child. We fought over my low college grade and my stupidity in life, which was almost chaotic at times.
"If you had listened to me and I had understood you, I might still be with you today. Let me tell you, son.. your mother and I are no longer angry with you. Especially me. You already know how much I love you.. and that you are my only and only child in the world. So I'd be happy if you came back to me."
When I heard that, I burst into tears and couldn't stop myself from running to my father.
My guilt was too much for me to bear. I'm well aware that it's all my fault. Everything that had happened to us was the reason why my family was in despair.
I even said, "Pa, Happy Birthday... sorry," but he didn't seem to hear me. I tapped him on the shoulder and was surprised to see him holding the watch I was supposed to give him. I immediately asked him, "Pa? Why are you holding that?!" over and over again, but he just smiled at me. I paused for three seconds before calling him "Papa" again.
He just turned around. I tried to pull him back, but before I could see his face, he was gone. The face in front of me has changed, and it is no longer him.
I'm not sure what's going on, but there's a man in white standing in front of me. It appeared to be a teenager. And it's dressed in a nurse's uniform. When our eyes met, he ran out of the room.
I was taken aback because I knew in myself that I was not crazy and that my father was really there. That I was at home with him.
I was about to get up when I felt the weight and pain in my entire body. My face, particularly my cheeks, are still bandaged.
When I saw my mother walking into the room next to the nurse,
I sobbed. I began sobbing and crying aloud.
I remember now.
I ran into the truck on the other side of the road after turning the steering wheel to avoid the child who suddenly appeared, and then I struck the light pole. I just sobbed and hugged my mother as she explained to me that I had been comatose for 7 days. I tried to find my father, but it seemed like I just wanted to die that day, especially since my mother had told me he died the day after his birthday. A heart attack. We never even met. I didn't even get a chance to apologize or hug him.
It's been a few years since this incident happened, and I've been constantly thinking about meeting my father for a long time. That it could have all been a dream, and that he had said goodbye to me first, but it could also not have been. I may have visited him at the time, as my mother says, when they saw my father in the kitchen.
He had my gift for him in his hands. A watch.
Andy
Marikina
Unknown.
- Writer
