Acwell went to visit Catrina on his off. This time, he decided that he will tell her his secret. He is hoping that this will end their constant bickering. And maybe he could also confess to Kamiah that he had been visiting his daughter.
He knocked on the door of Catrina’s apartment. Catrina opened it and was shocked that he came. She had told him that she is off, but he did not reply. She thought he will not come.
Acwell only smiled when Catrina opened the door. Catrina’s face brightened, and she said, “Come in!”
He entered and found Amira playing on the floor with her dolls.
“How is she?” Acwell asked.
“She is doing great and getting smarter every day,” Catrina said.
Acwell walked towards Amira and sat beside her.
“Hi, little bird! How are you?” he said.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Amara replied with a smile and a clap.
Acwell and Catrina laughed.
Amara showed Acwell her dolls, and he tried to play with her. Catrina joined, and they all started playing and had fun.
By lunchtime, all of them were hungry. Acwell offered to order some food. He ordered some chicken adobo, grilled boneless milkfish, chop suey, and steamed rice. Catrina gave some sandwiches to Amara while waiting for the delivery to come.
The food arrived after 30 minutes. While eating, Catrina was chatty, but Acwell is not really in the mood to talk.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Acwell said after all of them were finished eating.
“Sure. Let me put Amara on the sofa so she can watch cartoons while we talk,” Catrina said.
Acwell remained seated at the dining table and waited for Catrina to come back.
“What is it, Acwell?” Catrina said.
“Sit down first,” Acwell said.
Catrina sat and look at him.
“First, I am sorry if I did let you struggle to raise Amara by yourself. I did not mean to. And you did an excellent job of doing it. I wish Amara’s father would have been different so he could stay with her.”
Acwell paused. Catrina was happy with the first few words then got hurt with the last things he said. But she remained quiet because she wanted him to finish what he was saying.
“I don’t want us to keep arguing for the sake of her. So, maybe it will help if I tell you that I am already married, Catrina, and I have a son as well. I can no longer be with you, so please stop using Amara just for us to get back together. It will not happen.”
Catrina could not help, and tears start falling from her eyes. “Why did you do that? When you know you have her?”
“Catrina, you have to understand that having her doesn’t mean that it will work between us. We tried before, and it didn’t.”
“You did not really try. You were with me, but your mind wanders somewhere else.”
“I did. I broke my wife’s heart before and left her. But it still did not work, Catrina. Now, I am married and happy where I am.”
“So, the rumors are true. You married that ex of yours after getting her pregnant, but you left me while I was on the same condition.”
“I would not deny that, and to be honest it is one of the best decisions I have made. And I hope one day you will find that right person for you as well.”
“I still cannot understand it,” Catrina mumbled.
“I will continue to support Amara financially and give her time as best as I can.”
“So, you come here just to tell me that?”
“Yes, and to visit Amara.”
“You are very unfair, Acwell. You made me suffer while the other is living comfortably. You deny us while the other you are too proud of.”
“I did not deny you. But you cannot accept and respect that I am not or will ever be with you. We have to start co-parenting healthily.”
“You throw that chance away, Acwell.”
“You are actually the one doing that. Now, if you cannot accept that, then I don’t think I can really visit Amara that much. Otherwise, we will just keep arguing, and I don’t like that, especially in front of her.”
Catrina sobbed even louder. Amara looked at her but went back to watching cartoons.
“I think I have to go now. I am sorry,” Acwell said and walked to Amara. He kissed her, and she smiled. Then, he heads towards the door.
Catrina continued sobbing, but she lowered her voice so Amara could not hear her. She felt so betrayed and used. But what hurts more is that she still loves him even though he is already married.
Acwell feels hurt thinking that it might be the last time he will ever see his daughter. But he hopes that Catrina can find a better man for her. So, Amira could have a chance to experience having a good father by her side.
He still can’t go home because of the way he feels. He decided he will not go to work the following day, so he send a message to his superior giving him some excuse. Then, he contacted Ace, and they drank the whole night.
Acwell went home at 05:30 in the morning. He finds Kamiah already awake and preparing to go to work. She was not smiling as he knows she was not happy with him drinking and coming home lately always.
"Good morning, Love! I am not going to work today,” he said, smiling at her.
"And so? That's not giving me any reason to be happy with what you are doing," Kamiah said.
"I am sorry. What can I say, it's not easy to change."
"You are a father now, and you can't even think about your son. You barely even have time for him because you are too busy drinking. And you are giving me that excuse."
"I already said I am sorry and you still cannot keep your mouth shut."
"You neglect your family and still have the nerve to yell."
Kamiah walks straight to the door just when she heard,
Blag!
It could have hit her if it was not for the door. She picked up her son, kissed him and when the babysitter came she handed him to her. She wanted to cry but she is on her way to work so she must control it. She can cry later when she reached home.