My dad and I haven't been that close. I really can't point out why. But even to the outside world, it was very clear. Most days, the only words we have to speak to each other was greetings, saying good morning to him and getting his warm reply. Most of the times I watch him sleep, or watch the movies and see father closer to sons, or see some of my friends having a play time with their dad, I do wonder why our case was so.
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I already concluded long time ago that the very reason for such distance in our relationship is the way he pursue money and less spend time with his family. He would go out very early by 6am and return by 10pm. By then, we most times must have been sound asleep. It seems to him, 10pm is the definition of returning home early. When he would be late, he might appear by an hour after or closely two hours.
This image is gotten from PickPik and is Copyright Free
While I still understood and consider the fact that the man was just looking for end means to meet up with the needs of his family, even though it wasn't a thing of joy to me, my mom's case was different. We also haven't been that close like you would expect mom and son to be. Only my two siblings get to enjoy that grace I so longed for. However, that is a story for another day.
While my life seems to be on a lonely path as many of you might have concluded, it isn't so. I had many friends and neighbors to keep me company. But it all went down on a faithful Saturday that I had returned home wearing a sad face. It was already some minutes to 10, and my dad would be back home any moment. Few minutes later, he came back to see me just staring at the TV Show in the living room but wasn't actually watching. My face was fixed on it but my consciousness had been somewhere else the whole time. After greetings, he might have acted like he didn't notice because he never said a thing. He walked in to the other room to behold his beautiful wife and children whom he had promised to get bread for when he returned.
After dinner, I got up to head straight for my room, where I would sleep and forget the day. But he called out to me to help him get his belt in his room and bring it to him. "What the hell does this man need with a belt by this time of the night?" I spoke inside of me while I frowned as I echoed "ok sir". Believe me, he mustn't see that frown. When I returned to hand over his belt to him, we were all alone in the room and I gave it to him. In turning to leave for my already waiting bed reaching out to me, he spoke, "What is wrong with you? What could be eating you up inside?". At first, I debated as I stood backing him, wondering if my face was so obvious all this while. I pretended like it was nothing and told him I was fine. I even gave him the excuse I was tired and that's all. After all, we aren't close. "The belt was just to allow us have the room by the time you come back so we can talk about it. So, what is wrong?" At this period, I knew I wasn't having a choice.
I told him all that happened that day and why I was so upset with a friend of mine. I explained how I have been considering revenge. And the funniest part of it was that, I was upset with someone who wronged me deeply but didn't know I was that upset with him. He, my father, just smiled and drew stood up to approach me and placing his right hand on my shoulder. He spoke of a quote by Buddha. I wasn't sure which Buddha actually. But it goes
Holding Unto Anger Is Like Drinking Poison And Expecting The Other Person To Die.
Of course, I don't need interpretation to that. I understood the message perfectly clear. He further gave some explanations and without knowing it, all my anger was gone! Just like that!
As he walked to his room, I stood and watched. Not thinking about the words he said or the quote he made. I had a lifetime for that. I just wondered if this person had been existing all along. I smiled and went to my bed, which welcomed me in warmth and peaceful condition. I looked to the celling while lying down and whisper, "Dad Really Came Around"