PRESENT DAY...
AS the taxi stops that was when even her journey back to the past was interrupted. After handing over the payment to the taxi driver, Lara immediately got out of the car only to realize that she had forgotten to buy something for her daughter due to the preoccupation of her mind earlier.
"Mama!" that small but tender voice was what she heard as she pushed open the gate of their house.
"Callie!" her excited response then greeted her daughter with a hug and kiss Callie ran closer to her. "Where is Grand Papa?" she was referring to her father Rodolfo.
"He's inside. Come on, let's eat!" her daughter pulled her hand into the household.
"Pa," Lara immediately greeted her father then kissed her on the cheek.
"It's good that you're here, your daughter has been waiting for you for a while because according to her, she's already hungry," her father smiled as he messed up his granddaughter Calista's black hair or she chose to call her by the nickname Callie.
Lara just laughed softly at what her father said. After a while, they continued their hearty meal.
That’s how Lara lives every day and even if you say that over and over again she is happy because she is with the two most important people in her life. Her father and her daughter.
*****
"LARA, why are you still awake? Are you having trouble sleeping?"
From behind her, that was what Lara heard. After putting Callie to sleep, she still didn't feel any drowsiness which she has to admit she finds annoying. That is the reason why she decided to stay on the terrace for a while to catch some fresh air.
She nodded. "Maybe I drank a little more coffee," she said, following what she said by a weak laugh.
Her father smiled as he sat in the chair opposite her. "I know I've told you this many times, sweetheart, but I want you to know that I'm sorry for all the shortcomings and mistakes I've made since your Mama left us. If I hadn't been addicted to alcohol and gambling you wouldn't- -, "
"Papa, that's over let's just forget the past," she insisted smiling. "The truth is if all that hadn't happened Callie might not be in our lives right now. Isn't it still happier that you have a granddaughter?" she added.
At that question, a happy and sweet smile quickly broke from her father's lips. And as she said several times he had asked her for forgiveness for everything that had happened. But for her, despite everything, she still could not contain any anger or resentment in her heart for Rodolfo. Maybe it's because she loves him so much and the coming of her daughter in her life.
Callie is very beautiful and she can say she bears a lot of resemblance to Joaquin.
As she remembered the man, she just smiled again.
She did not look for him because it was not necessary. She has many reasons why she chose not to let him know about their daughter and she thinks that is also the reason why her mother did not bother to look for her father.
"I'm happy with you and Callie, Papa. That's all I need in life, nothing more," she said because she had a feeling she seemed to have already guessed where that conversation was going.
"But sweetheart, it's different when you have someone to be with in life. Why don't you try to open your heart to others?" Rodolfo suggested.
"Are you referring to Ramil, Papa?" Lara asked amusedly smiling.
Her father nodded. "That young man is kind, Lara, and he loves you very much," he insisted.
After all, Lara felt that what her father was saying was true. Ramil was her elementary school classmate. He is an Engineer now and earns a lot.
He is handsome, has a good job, and accepts her status in life, including being a single mother.
But despite all that, and despite Ramil's almost a year of courting her, she does not have any special feelings in her heart for him.
They met at the branch she was holding. That's when Ramil's current girlfriend complained to her about one of her sales ladies. After a month, the young man returned to her branch with a dozen of red roses. He invited her to eat and later expressed his desire to woo her.
Lara did not literally agree but the young man was persistent. She told him to try to turn to others whatever he felt for her but Ramil did not listen. Instead, he asked her to just let him do what he wants, so that’s what she eventually gave him.
"I have no special feelings for him, Papa. That's the truth and I can't understand why he doesn't seem to believe me," she said.
"You're beautiful and a good daughter, Lara. I won't wonder why Ramil doesn't want to give up on you. Maybe he thinks he'll get you too with his perseverance. Did you know I was like that with your mother? At first, she didn't really like me. Everything is about work for her, nothing personal. But Edna is kind and loving by nature, I soon fell in love with her and that gave me the courage to pursue her until, in the end, she finally said yes. "
The way Rodolfo speaks his words, there was a clear indication of the great love he had for her bereaved mother. And Lara secretly felt so happy about that.
"Is that why you didn't remarry Papa?" she asked.
Rodolfo nodded. "Yes, I love your Mama so much that I don't have the wanting to have and get another woman to replace her. I can't replace her, I'm happy to take care of you and my granddaughter. I don't need a woman in my life Lara, I'm happy with what I have. "
"I love you so much, Papa. No matter what happens I won't leave you. I already have a child and I'm okay with that, what's important to me is that you have someone with you and someone to take care of you as you grow older, and that would be me and Callie," she replied to her father.
"But sweetheart, you are still young, you can still have your own family. And you can still have other offspring who will be your child's siblings. Don't deprive yourself of the opportunity to be happy just because you don't want to leave me, " again was Rodolfo's advice for her.
Lara sighed because of that. "I don't know Papa, maybe in the future, if I fall in love, just in case. But now I'm happy and content with you and Callie."