My Make-Believe Boyfriend College Hottie Series : Bobby and Ashley

Chapter 43 : Daddy's Girl

This is dedicated to #MyPapaNaNasaHeavenNa this Father's Day (6.18.17)

My father was not perfect. In fact, he was an alcoholic and a chain smoker.

When he was overly drunk, he was so madaldal. Inaaway lahat ng mga "pulpol" na pulitiko sa TV na parang rubbing elbows siya sa mga ito, in his visayan accent.

But when he was sober, he was usually quiet. Kung hindi mo kakausapin, hindi magsasalita.

Bihira rin siyang magalit. Pero kapag nagalit, medyo nakakatakot.

But I loved him with all his flaws and imperfections because he taught me a lot things in life. He taught me to be loyal, to value my work and to be caring and compassionate to my mother and siblings and to other people na rin.

In his most bizarre and peculiar ways, he showed us what and how a father's love was.

He was bedridden for over a year before he succumbed to all the physical pains caused by stroke and a tumor in his left lung.

And now he was gone--permanently in my life. I always remember him. Hindi lang tuwing Father's Day.

Everyday, I remember him. Kapag nakakakita ako ng Red Horse, I remember him. It was his favorite.

May mga pagkakataong kinukunsinti ko siya sa bisyo niya. I felt like he was already old and gusto kong ibigay na ang lahat ng makakapagpasaya sa kanya-alak. Red Horse.
At hindi ko pinagsisisihan 'yun.

Lahat ng pwedeng makapagpasaya sa tatay ko noong buhay siya, ibinigay ko. Kasi ibinigay din niya sa amin ang lahat ng sa kanya noong nabubuhay pa siya.

He was my epitomy of a father-selfless and protective.

I achingly miss him now. I always say that you can never move on from a lost loved one. Never.

You just get used to the pain as if it's just a normalcy for you.

I miss him. Really. Terribly.

Because I am a Papa's Girl and yes, I will always, always be.

****************************

ASHLEY

MATAGAL NANG NAKAHINTO lang ang sasakyan ni Bobby sa parking lot ng Grandeur Hotel habang tahimik akong umiiyak.

Yeah, Ashley Grace Lim was crying. Ha! Can you top that?

I joined the rest of the mortals. I was no longer ashamed of cyring in front of other people. Especially in front of my Robert Aldus.

Bobby was just watching me-letting me be.

Nakadantay lang sa hita ko ang isa niyang kamay at paminsan-minsan ay masuyong humahagod sa hita ko pababa sa tuhod ko.

His touch was comforting. But it couldn't stop me from cyring.

Naiabot na rin niya ang panyo niya sa akin at iyon ang ipinampupunas ko sa luha ko.

Pagkatapos na masabi ng Original Lim Family ang pakay nila sa akin at masabi naman ni Bobby na gagawan niya ng paraan ang request sa abot ng makakaya niya ay nagyaya na akong umuwi.

Hindi ko na nagawang mahintay pa ang in-order namin para kumain.

What for? To exhange pleasantries? Gayong ang kapal-kapal ng awkward air sa pagitan naming lahat.