Aileen
Mom looked at me stunned.
“You…. you think I looked cool back then?” she gasped. “Are you really saying that?”
“Yeah, why not? You literally saved a life. That’s…. amazing!”
“Oh, my dear,” she leaned forward to hug me. “I’m really happy to hear that you think I’m cool. It maybe the best compliment I’ve heard since I started working in the healthcare.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I only said what I was thinking genuinely,” I replied, hugging her back.
“Yes, I know. But, It just feels better when I hear it from your mouth.”
“I…see…”
She’s almost reacting like how Dave does when I compliment him. They are so similar in their own ways, it’s really a wonder.
“So, the people you help to recover, do they all thank you like that woman did you today?” I asked, pulling away.
She nodded. “Yeah. And some of them are so humble and kind-hearted, you can’t believe. But yeah, once in a few we get some shitty patients, but still we have to treat them with kindness, no matter what because they are our patients, as they believe in us for their well-being.”
“Hm…that’s true. Will you let me hear more of your stories like today?”
“You want to hear?”
“Yeah, definitely. They sound interesting. And we have the entire day on our hands, so why not?”
“That’s true,” she chuckled. “Alright then, I’ll tell you about my experience at the hospital.”
She spoke quite excitedly and told me everything she could remember, from her first day at the hospital to her work as an intern.
Even when the food arrived we kept talking while eating. We spent that entire evening talking while sitting on the benches with a drink in hand.
I have to admit, I really didn’t know about this side of my Mom before. And I never tried to listen to her stories either. Maybe because I used to hate her a little because of her job which gives her little to no time to give her family.
But, now that I’m older, I’m realizing, that she still tried to be present in my life regardless of what she might be feeling at that moment.
And her which I used to hate, is something more admirable and noble than I can ever achieve.
I was really stupid when I was little, that I didn’t realize her efforts. Mom was and will always be my superhero. And that’s never going to change.
After we were done talking, it was almost evening. The theme park had been lit up in bright lights and the Ferris wheel was the center of all attraction because of its insane height.
We went to ride it together. But before that, Mom went to the bathroom and I waited for her outside.
Today was really fun. I haven’t spent so much time with her like today in years. It was really a good idea to move here instead of living by myself.
I need to tell Dave about the things we did today. He’s going to be happy we enjoyed together.
He’s so cheeky, he planned all this and sent us together thinking that I wouldn’t notice. I need to thank him again.
But, where is Rosalia at? I didn’t see her and the Principal at all after that. Did they perhaps leave already?
If that’s the case, I’m happy. It would be quite awkward if we had to bump into each other like that.
And she probably wouldn’t like that as well. That’s why she didn’t tell me about her and his relationship.
Maybe, she can’t trust me yet. That’s why she’s hiding the secret from me.
It must be the same for Skylar. We may be friends, but it takes years to build trust. It won’t come so fast.
It was at that time, that I was lost in my thoughts when a voice drew my attention.
And it was so familiar I instantly looked around me to search for it.
Only to see the source of the voice standing right in front of my eyes. And it was none other than my greatest despair, the one responsible for my and my mom’s sufferings, my ‘dad’.
My hands went cold seeing him after all those years since they got separated.
Meanwhile, he stood, showing no remorse or guilt, let alone any emotion.
I couldn’t comprehend whether he was really a person with feelings or not. How can a man act so indifferent towards the people he had once hurt previously?
“It’s you, right Aileen?” he repeated, approaching me so casually.
I backed away in response. And he stood still in his tracks a bit alarmed.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asked, putting his hands in his pockets.
I instantly shook my head in disapproval, even though I didn’t know whether to feel bad about him or stay angry at him.
I showed no expression, except for surprise and discomfort.
“If you aren’t afraid, then why are you so defensive of me?” he asked, staring into my eyes intently. “Have you forgotten about your dad? Don’t you recognize me? You are Aileen, right? My Teddy?”
As soon as I heard that something inside of me snapped.
“I’m not your Teddy anymore!” I yelled at him, fisting my hands. “Don’t ever call me by that name. There’s nothing between us anymore. So, call me Aileen only.”
His eyes narrowed hearing my response. He lowered his gaze sighing a little in disappointment.
“I see, you don’t accept me as your father anymore. Well, I did do something to be mad at like that. So, I don’t blame you. But, still. Being, rejected by your child, sounds a bit sad you know? Something inside of me tears apart hearing that.” He spoke with a shudder.
I could almost see a glint of despair and guilt in his eyes for a second. But, that wasn’t enough to move me.
Is he really feeling bad that I’m pushing him away? Or is this just acting?
If he felt bad about his actions then why didn’t he try to contact me after their divorce?
Why didn’t he support us behind the shadows when we suffered financially and mentally?
If he felt bad, why did he leave me and Mom instead of supporting and trying his best to keep the family together?
If it weren’t for him, Mom wouldn’t have gotten married to Dave. The reason why we have to hide around our relationship in the first place.
The reason why both of us are struggling to tell the truth, it’s all your fault. Because you couldn’t be a supporting husband, a loving father, everything fell apart.
When I was being contradicted by my own thoughts, I cleared my head and asked, “Well, after all these years had passed since you left us, what did you think was going to happen? I would tear up seeing you and would go running into your arms. Unfortunately, that’s not happening. I’m sorry.”
He smiled softly, “That’s true. I abandoned the two of you when you needed me the most. The divorce really wasn’t meant to be. It did nothing but harm to the two of you.”
If it wasn’t meant to be, why did you make it happen? Why did you do it in the first place?
I examined his attire closely. He wore a pair of jeans matched with a jacket and a shirt underneath.
“It might’ve brought us harm, but it didn’t seem to have brought any harm to you at least. Be grateful for that.” I retorted, folding my arms. “You seem to be doing well, after leaving us. What are you up to now?”
I kept my cool, but the irritation I felt behind his words couldn’t be hidden.
He scratched at his cheeks. “Uh…. I’ve been working in the same company for years without promotion. I even tried to start a business but no success as of yet. Everything I try to do, fails immediately, I don’t know how or why?”
That’s your bad Karma for abandoning us while keeping another woman at the side.
“Life has been really tough without the two of you,” he added, coming closer, reaching out his hand to pat my head. “Look at you now, you are all grown up and have turned into a beautiful lady. I almost couldn’t recognize you when I first saw you today here. I thought my eyes were playing tricks. That little girl of mine is no longer little anymore. I should’ve realized my mistake sooner.”
“But, you didn’t, unfortunately,” I replied, staring intently. “So, much time has passed, of course, I won’t stay little all my life. I’m 18 already.”
His eyes were the same as mine. And I have some of his features embedded in me. But, no way am I going to become like him. The one who abandoned his family when he felt like it.
He looked away with a sad face, “18 huh? You must be going to college now. I’m still ashamed of my decision. Wish we could start over again. I’ve been trying to contact you and your mom, since two years ago. But, you two don’t live at your old house anymore. Where did you two move out to?”
“Do you live nearby? Are you here alone? Or with your friends?”
“You don’t need to know all that,” I replied sternly, looking away. “Mom and I are doing fine, and I don’t think she would like to see you again. You’ve seen me, so now leave quietly without letting us know about your presence. We don’t want to get involved with you again. So, please!”
“Did your mom tell you to talk to me like that if you ever see me?” he remarks in a tone of sarcasm. “Or is this how you behave towards others now? You didn’t use to be like this before, were you?”