5:00 am
I woke up amid morning and night thinking how will I start my day again.
I fold and set my bed back the way I did every morning. I cook rice for my Lola and Lolo and help me to cook some food for my breakfast. I take a bath and send myself to work.
Every day, we are about to gather together with my co-workers talking about the sales in our company.
"I think we all noticed that our sales move decreasingly, so we have to catch up to meet our target. We have no choice but to be open during weekends starting now." Said Mrs. Jane, the manager of the Fridget Company.
I am an employee in the Fridget Company selling different furniture and household equipment. We have to make a double effort in selling our things to meet our expected target. So apparently, my whole week will be dedicated to working. We were so busy giving fliers to every person passing by the downtown, and all the more having a good sales talk.
(Phone beeps)
"Hello, good morning. Who is this?", I said. An unusual voice I heard from the next line.
"Is this you John?" said the man.
"Yes, I am. May I know who you are and why do you know my name?" Asking curiously.
"This is your father John", "I've been looking for you for almost years and I thank God that I have finally reached you." Said the man on the next line.
Never have I imagine that in the middle of my work, this someone is claiming to be my father. I was so shocked and wondering at the same time. Since the moment that I open my eyes and saw the beauty of the world, I never thought that this so-called 'Father', exist. They both separated because they can't handle their relationship anymore as my Lola once shared about their past. I was raised by my mother alone and unfortunately, at a very young age, I was given by her parents to take care of me because she will be going to abroad to be a domestic helper in Dubai. It was a hard and tough decision that she has done, but it leaves her with no choice, but to do so. Since then, I have known my Lola and Lolo to be so called-parents. Yet, they keep on reminding me that my mother was abroad for the betterment of my future. And I don't think that it is a great help for the reason that I have never felt his love and care as I aged.
"Huh? Sorry, sir b-but…" I can feel my voice feeling shattered and trembling in answering my phone call.
"Don't call me sir, just Papa. By the way, my name is Ferdinand." Said the man on the next line.
"Yes, I know," I said.
"Good to know that your mom introduces you about me." He said
"N-not that much. I'm just asking what is my father's name. That's it."
"Well, can I see you, my son?" Ferdinand said.
"Maybe? After work?"
He then replied, "Okay I'll see you then."
"Okay", and I shut the phone down.
I'm still on the surprise that I'll be meeting my father later on. It's 5:00 pm and I hurriedly checked out in our logbook so I can go out of work and meet my father after. We met at the corner of the park near the playing ground. I sat on a bench to wait for him.
"John?" a voice near me calling my name.
I turn around and was so shocked as I reflected on myself. We have the same face. Maybe If I grow old, I would look like him.
"Papa?"
He suddenly hugs me and I also hug him back. I felt so happy that time that finally, I was able to meet my father since the day I was born. I hugged him tight and the unusual feeling came out from my heart and spread around my body. 'I think this is love' telling myself in my mind.
"It's good to see you son." He said.
"So am I Pa," I reply.
"So where do you work? How much is your salary son? I am so happy that you were able to finish schooling and have a great job after." He said.
It's a strange thing that we meet for the first time but he is asking about my career. I replied, "Ahm… can we talk it in a more comfortable place pa? If it's okay?"
He replies, "Oh sure! Let us go to the cafeteria."
There is a sudden phone ring in my father's pocket.
He said, "Just wait there son, I will just answer this call for a minute." And then I reply a nod.
Minutes later, he comes back with a sad face. "Son I am very sorry but there are important things that I have to do first, I'll call you next time around, promise I will make it with you!", He said.
He hurriedly went out to the door and run so fast as if he went out hurrying for an urgent client.