Loving a Believer

Chapter 17: God is Not Yet Done

My lips parted in disbelief.

***

F A R A

Storm and I were just silent while we were going home, riding a cab. I turned my gaze to Storm who wore a serious face and was obviously in his own thoughts. I knew he was thinking about Dad's confession earlier. It was the same in my mind, too.

It was all clear to me now. It, somehow, helped me understand Dad and his dangerous ways, though it was still unacceptable to me.

I heaved a sigh.

Now I knew the man who had walked towards my window where my Christmas sock was while I was waiting for Santa to come.

I just heaved a sigh and before leaning my head on Storm's shoulder. Naramdaman ko naman ang paghapit niya sa akin para mas maging komportable ako.

When we arrived at the front of our house, I couldn't help but stare at the house across the road. The house was the Perez's. I saw somebody unlocking the gate... but it was no longer Tita Helena, Kirby's Mom. I felt sad, realizing that the house was no longer the property of the Perez Family.

"Let's go," Storm told me, and then I felt his hand hold my wrist and pulled me.

Storm and Tyler talked for a moment. My brother was also here to visit Dad and to bail him out.

I was just looking into my window, clearly seeing the window of Kirby's room. Our memories in this place would never be forgotten.

I was wondering if he could still remember me in the second life. Until now, I was still having thoughts about the reality of heaven - was Kirby really there right now?

Napabuntonghininga na lang ako. I let my body fall on my soft bed, gazing at the glow-in-the-dark decorations with the shapes of stars and half-moons.

"Dad, what are we gonna do with these stars and moons?" I asked Dad while staring at the little stars and half-moons in my palms that he bought yesterday.

"We're gonna put them above." He pointed to the ceiling.

I just watched him put them on the ceiling using super glue.

"Now, close your eyes," he told me.

"Why, Dad?"

"Just follow what I said."

Although clueless, I still obeyed him. I hear the "click" sound of the light switch and my vision while my eyes were shut went dark.

"Open your eyes now."

I slowly opened my eyes. As expected, I saw darkness. I was about to feel fear but I suddenly noticed some things are glowing above.

"Wow! Dad, look! The stars and moons are glowing!"

I couldn't help but smile as I stared at the glowing stars and moons, remembering my time with Dad until tears started to fall from both sides of my eyes.

I realized that Dad, somehow, made me feel accepted. Despite his overprotective ways, kailanman ay hindi niya ako binalewala. He made me happy in a simple way―the only way he knew.