Everything seems to be getting worse than it ever was. I booked a flight immediately without informing anyone from Fernandez.
I was so in a hurry that I couldn't even go home to get some clothes. Thankfully, my card was inside my phone pack, and my passport was in my handbag.
**
The house was so calm when I arrived. I went straight to the master bedroom.
My father was lying there. His breathing was shallow, and his eyes were hardly open. He lifted his hands when he saw me, a faint smile appearing on his cheeks.
"You didn't take my father to the hospital?" My stepmother ignored me totally. She acted like I never said anything.
"Mercy! Why didn't you guys take my father to the hospital?" I held her collar. I was ready to throw a fist and fight her if she didn't give me a reply.
"Dad said that we should bring him home. He insisted he didn't want to die in the hospital. He was getting better until a few days ago." Mercy trembled in fear.
"What about the family doctor? Didn't you guys pay him?"
"He just left a few minutes before you came in."
"You have grown up so much, my daughter." I stared at my father, not knowing if I should cuss at him, hate him, or forgive him. I slowly let go of Mercy's collar and walked over to him.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I held his hands. "Dad, you should have gone to the hospital if you were this sick!"
"No need; we have spent enough money on me. And we owe lots of people. I am sorry I couldn't be there at your wedding. You made a sacrifice just to save me; I guess you have forgiven your old man."
"No, dad."
"Thanks for your sacrifice; we were able to buy this house back," he smiled.
"Exactly why I can't forgive you. You didn't even ask who my husband is, how I'm faring, or if I was comfortable. You are still selfish to the end. "My heart was aching painfully as if a sword had pierced it. I had to let the tears run down freely, or else my chest would really explode.
"I'm sorry I failed you as a father. In my next world, you will still be my darling daughter. And I will make sure to treat you like the princess you are. I only wish your husband would love you and take care of you..
" No. I'd rather be your parents. Parents to both you and mom, " I wiped my tears and sniffed like a crying ten-year-old" That way, I wouldn't let myself die so early like my mother did, and I wouldn't jump into another relationship with the excuse that it was the best for my daughter." Even as I had cleaned my tears, they kept flowing heavily as I whispered those words to my father.
Dad nodded, accepted my terms, and closed his eyes. Tears dropped from his eyes. I freaking saw my dad crying, and I felt completely shattered.
"Alright, dad. I have forgiven you," I said with a shaky tone. But instead of a response, his hands dropped from mine lifelessly.
I scream in horror, not believing what it could be. I finally gathered the courage to forgive him, and instead of replying, he snobbed me forever.
Was I late?
My mouth trembled as I hugged him tightly for the first time in years and for the last time forever. It was more painful to me that he left with tears; I couldn't define if it was out of love, happiness, or sorrow. The possibility of any of them was high enough.
"Dad, Daddy. Father!" I shaken his body, but it didn't change anything. I checked his vitals and his heartbeat; no one of them was responding. The old man was gone forever. I bit my trembling lips from the inside, trying to hold up the tears that wouldn't stop.
I wiped his tears with my palms. "You can now go and apologize to Mom. I have forgiven you, and I hope you forgive me for all this year's distance from you. I love you more than yesterday, daddy.
Enough of that pretense, dear. He should be taken to the mortuary," my stepmom said.It was as if she was expecting him to die soon.
"Allow me to stay with him a bit longer."
"Until he starts to smell?"
I gave her a deadly look, and she respected herself well enough to leave without saying a word.
Mercy sat in a corner, staring in horror with tears enveloping her eyes. I wished to hug her like my younger sister. To comfort her and assure her that everything was going to be alright.
But I knew better.
The day for the funeral came. Dad was buried, and fuck rain for choosing that day of all days to pour.
Lots of people attended; they would have been more if not for the fact that the rain became heavier. My father was the friendly type and made lots of friends from his class, higher class, and even lower class.
Although they all deserted him when his company started to fall apart, That's normal for humans, though.
Soon everyone started to leave, until I was the only one left in the yard.
I just stared at my father's grave. I was just feeling empty inside. I have cried to the extent that my eyes burn in pain and my head aches too.
"Can I hug you?" I turned to see Josh. like the fucking josh of all people. Kiara also arrived, and we were the only ones left in the yard.
"No. Thanks," I said and fastened my pace, but then I had to stop for a while. "Didn' you say you guys are no longer together?"
Kiara distanced herself from Josh immediately. " Yes. We couldn't get married that day. Hey, Look, I know you hate me a lot now. I don't really care that much, but please do take care of yourself, eat well, and live happily. Your dad loved you more than you think, and everything will be alright.
I wished I could turn and look at her face. I wished I could whisper to her how difficult it is for me and cry on her shoulders like old times. Kiara and I had come a long way, and we were even addressed as twin sisters when we were younger. She knows everything about my not-so-good relationship with my father.
"I'm sorry, Ava," Josh finally said.
"Do you regret it?" I asked. I have been curious to know whether he regretted his decision or not. If an opportunity came, he would still make the same decision.
I don't even know why I am being like this. Fuck josh! He lost a gem, which he can't ever get back.
"No, I don't," Ava said. The feeling wasn't there anymore. I couldn't keep deceiving you and finally cage you up with myself. You deserve much better. Thanks to Kiara, who..."
"That's all I needed to know. Thank you two for giving my dad his last respect." I left without turning my backs.
When I got home, I saw my things already packaged and waiting for me at the door.
I was still wondering who did that when my stepmom showed up at the entrance.
"Oh, you are finally back. Sorry to say, but you have overstayed your welcome, my darling." My stepmother stopped in my way to enter the house.
"This is my father's house."
"Not anymore, sweetheart. Your father has relocated to a more quiet place, so THIS IS NOT HIS HOUSE, BUT MINE NOW.
I stared in fury; my body was dripping wet, and it's still raining heavily. I don't just understand where my father picked this woman from.
I didn't intend to argue with her. If I leave now, I will probably get to Washington at midnight. My rent has expired, so I can't even stay at my old place.
I dialed Mariam's number, and it was still unreachable for the past twenty-four hours. I hope she is fine, though. I didn't even see her at the burial.
Staying in a hotel was out of the question. The only money I have with me will be for my flight back home—I mean, back to Mr. Fernandez's house. I can't afford to spend a dime out of it.
Obviously, I had no choice but to take my handbag with me and head to the airport.
Getting to the airport, I was told that my flight ticket was already booked and that I couldn't book it twice.
I insisted it was a misspelled name because I don't know anyone who has so much money to book a first-class ticket for me. I wasn't in the mood to be embarrassed later.
I simply declined and booked my flight with my last savings.