4- Distancing Instead of Loving Back
1120 Words
"Hija, are you avoiding your friend?" the old Demagiba asked his daughter.
"Yes, Papa," she answered shortly.
"And why? I mean, he is very nice to you and the whole family," he said once again.
Anastasia had a deep sigh. She did what's known that good for everyone.
"Are you falling for him, Hija?"
She was in her deep thoughts when her father said those words.
"That's the reason why I'm avoiding him, Papa. It's been a while since I came home, but it doesn't mean that I forgot all the pains that I have been through," she answered as he let out a deep sigh.
"Hija, if that's the case, face him. Be true to him. If yotellll him the truth, he might understand you. Avoiding him is not an advisable move." He added.
"For now, I don't know yet, Papa. Or it's better like this way than to be hurt," she answered shortly.
The truth is she is afraid that her feelings might betray her. Because for how many months Maximo has been dating her, she's already falling for him. By him, the cause used first misfortunes slowly fade away. She's just saying that she's still in pain because of it.
MEANWHILE...
"Dad, are you drinking again?" Kristine asked her father.
"Oh, Hija. You are still awake?" he answered ia, qquestioningtTotonneoo
"Hmmm! Daddy, I'm asking you, but you have back my question. What's the reason you go back in liquors?" She pouted as she crossed her arms.
Because of this question of his daughter, he immediately put down the wine glass.
"Don't worry, Hija. I'm just sipping for me to sleep. How about you? Why are you still awake?"
"I saw you here, Dad. It's been a while since the last time I saw you with alcohol. Is there something wrong with you, Dad?"
It seems that his daughter is observing him. It's indeed been a while since he drank, which made him hospitalised. But what can he do if the time is allowing him to drink? Well, Kristine is correct. But it's not something but someone.
"Go and sleep now, Hija. I'll just go after you later. Don't worry. It's just a bit for me to repose. Good night, Hija," he said as he kissed her on her forehead.
"Okay, Daddy. But before I leave you here, there's something also that I need to tell you." She nodded.
"Indeed? What it is, Hija?" again he asked.
"I will allow you to have a girlfriend if you will take Auntie Anastasia, but if it's not her, never mind. Forget about having a woman in your life," Kristine stated.
He's surprised! Even his problem is visible to her. Is she investigating him? He can't remember that his daughter and Anastasia already meet, yet she knows all those words.
"Wait a minute, Hija. Did you ever meet him? I mean, Anastasia." He then gazed at her with a confused look.
"Dad, I'm already a teenager, as you always; stay a young woman. In our school, there are so many couples that I can see in our daily lives. And besides, you asked me one time to have a date, and you told me her name," she explained.
It seems that he is outdated by his daughter! But in his problematic mind, he smiled genuinely!
"I think I can ask you for advice, Hija. It's no use if I hide from you. You're right in your guess, darling. Because I've noticed Anastasia avoiding me for a few days now, even if she doesn't say it, I know the reason. But do you know that I love her so much that I also find it difficult to understand why she is suddenly behaving like that," he explained.
"Daddy, her actions have a lot of meaning. But as an adult, you will be the one who will do something for you to understand everything. I mean, what's Anastasia's reason why she is distancing herself from you? Who knows? She's just testing how deep your love for her is. So if I were you, pursue your love for her. If I need to back you up, I will." Kristine smiled for assurances.
At his daughter's statement, he smiled. It seems that his sixteen years old daughter has a deep understanding of love.
"Thank you, darling. Your old father learnt something from a young lady like you. Don't worry because I'll do everything to win her back to us. But for now, go and try to sleep for you to regain your strength for tomorrow."
He swallowed the last drop of wine before going to bed.
As the days go on!
"Tacy, thank you for today. I don't even know what to say, but letting me be with you is too much for me."
"Hmmm! You used your child, Maximo. I already told you that I'm not yet ready for another heartbreak."
"No, don't say that, Tacy. Why should I give a heartbreak? I don't know what to do for you to believe me that I love you so much?"
"Nothing, Maximo. Only you have to do is accept that I'm not the right woman who will be the new mother of Kristine."
Because of that, Maximo stood up from his chair and knelt in front of her as he held her hands.
"I won't believe you, Tacy. Okay, tell me that while looking into my eyes directly, and I will never bother you anymore."
She's lying, indeed! Because she can't do what Maximo is telling her to do. Instead, she looked up above.
"See? I know it, Tacy. We have the same feelings. We love each other."
Then...
"Why, Maximo? You know very well about my past. A woman who lost her dignity to a man who cheated on her while she was overseas nevedeservesves love from a man like you. A professional person who has a position in the government must have a woman with dignity---"
Maximo didn't let Anastasia finish what she was trying to say. He can understand the fear of the woman he loves. He indeed knows about her past because she told him everything. That is why instead of letting her degrade herself more, he stood up again and hugged her tightly. And held her cheeks side to side and slowly got close to him.
"Enough, Tacy. I don't care about your past as long as I love you. Accepting me and my daughter is more than enough. I love you so much, Anastasia," he sweetly and passionately whispered.
He is about to kiss her when a very loud and cunning voice beside them is heard. A voice that is full of insultation while clapping that makes Anastasia trembles.
- Writer
