𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 85. ~~

It was wrong to let him go on his two knees for him. His mother trained him better than that.

"Sit. I'm not asking you to kneel." Demilade said angrily.

"Please... Let me do it. I don't deserve any respect from you. Please, son... I am sorry."

"Just sit. I won't let your family thinks that I worsen your condition. What do you want your family to think about me when they see you on your knees? I'm never going to let anyone insult my mother."

At the mention of his mother's name, the man nodded slowly and slid back up his seat. Then Demilade took his hands off him.

Demilade heaved a quiet relief sigh and looked away from the man.

"I've hurt you so much. I know.... my begging and pleading won't change what happened. It won't right my wrong. It's never going to ease all the years of pain I had caused you and your mother. I wasn't there for you when you needed me but I am sorry. I am Demilade. I'm a bad father to you and I truly acknowledge that. But please, forgive this unfilial father of yours. Please. Please, son. Please." He kept begging, sniveling. "I regret all that I did. I wish I could turn back time. I truly wish I can make up for all those long years. Please Demilade.... forgive me for everything I have done for you and your mother. Please. I'm begging. Even if I don't deserve it which I know I don't... Please... forgive me. Please Demilade son."

Demilade listened to him without saying anything. He kept staring at his intertwined fingers resting on his legs. He let the tears fall from his eyes without stopping them. He closed his eyes for some minutes while Lawrence kept pleading.

There were two reasons why he changed his mind and decided to visit him. And he had done exactly one of them. The second part which was the hardest part of it was inevitable. He took all the time he wants thinking about it again and again before he could conclude.

He finally opened them and he turned to the man.

"I can't change all that happened. If you keep pleading and crying from now till the next day, it won't change it either. I just wanted to let you know why I hated you for a long time. I want you to know how I felt all those years without having a father in it. I was just like every other kid who want his or her parent to live with him or her and be happy with them. But everyone's fate is different. Mine was different. Who knows how I could have turned out if you were there?" He paused and shrugged. "I forgive you, Lawrence."

Nothing was going to change if he keep holding grudge against him. The only thing thing that will be his the number of years he kept holding the pain and grudge and heartaches. It was time he let go of all those things. As his mother would say, he was better than his father was. And he wants to prove her.

He exhaled loudly, bit his bottom lip, and resume what he was saying.

"I forgive you for everything. Even if it hurt so much. I forgive you. At least, I have said out what's on my mind to you. I'm free of the guilt and hatred that I hold against you." He brought out his handkerchief from his left pocket and wiped away the strained tears on his face.

"Thank you. Thank you so much Demilade. You won't understand how much it means to me to hear those words from you. I don't deserve it but you still find it in your heart to forgive me. I am truly grateful son. You have a good heart and you are a better man than I am. Thank you so much Oluwademilade." He appreciated as fresh tears stream down his face. It wasn't regretted anymore but relief and appreciation. He has not felt so much better in a long time.

Demilade sat up and said to the man."I hold nothing against you anymore. I will let you live with the fact that you didn't fulfill all your responsibilities and the choices you made. But I forgive you. And that is all that you can get from me." He saw the curious and that glint of fear appeared on the man's face but he wasn't concerned. So he continued. "We have a way we have been living our lives before we were both reminded about one another and I want us to go back that way. I have lived fine without a father and I don't think I need one now." Mr. Lawrence's face fell in disappointment. "Let's not bother disrupting the way things have been."