Acwell stopped communicating with Catrina after Amara’s birthday. Though he still receives messages and calls from her, he just ignores it.
He and his family went on a planned vacation to the Philippines. Acwell did not inform Catarina about it because he doesn’t want to explain and argue.
They celebrate Kai’s first birthday in their hometown. It was not a big celebration, but it was fun and happy. Kai had enjoyed it as some of his cousins were there to celebrate and play with him.
Acwell, at some point, would think about his daughter. His heart aches to some extent that such fun and peaceful kind of relationship he could not give to his daughter. What’s more, he is not seeing her, and not being with her is more preferable for him right now. Anyone, even him, sometimes wonders why he could be this cruel to his innocent daughter.
“I did not mean to do this to you. I wished you would see it differently someday,” he thought.
Kamiah and her family stayed a month in the Philippines. And it was great as it brought them closer to each other. And they were able to relax and just focus on being a family and taking care of their son.
When the vacation was over, everyone was sad, especially the grandmas. It is time for Kamiah and her family to leave and go back to Dubai.
On the day they arrived, Acwell received a message from Catarina. It was expected, but it was unpleasant for him to read.
“Acwell, it’s been a month. What happened to you? You did not visit Amara nor send the money to help me raise her.”
“Visit her at least, for God’s sake, she is already here, and you still find an excuse not to.”
Acwell still ignores her. He just arrived, and he doesn’t want any drama from her. But Acwell dreamed of Amara that night that when he wakes up, he was feeling guilty. So, he replied to Catrina’s messages.
“I will be sending you the money within this day. I just came back from vacation that I was not able to visit her. Maybe on my next off, I could pass by for an hour.”
“Oh! So you decided to went on vacation and leave your daughter. That is great! And now, you will only see her for an hour? What kind of a father!”
“I deserve to go for a vacation, and it’s up to me to decide when. Anyway, I will send you the money now.”
Catrina still, like always, sent a bunch of messages but Acwell ignores it.
On the other hand, Kamiah noticed Acwell had been acting weird with his phone, but she always dismissed it. She thinks it’s only because of work.
A week after, Acwell got his day off. He told Kamiah that he will just visit a friend and come back. He did not tell her that he will go and see his daughter.
Acwell knocked on the door of Catrina’s apartment. She is not expecting that he will visit them, and it was good that she is also off. She opened the door and smiled. Acwell tried to force a smile.
“Hello!” Acwell said.
“Hi! Come in! Amara is watching cartoons,” Catrina said.
“I brought some food for the both of you.”
“You should. Thank you!”
Acwell handed it to her and went to sit on the floor beside Amara. She looked at him, smiled, and said, “Daddy!” Acwell smiled and hug her. “How are you, my little girl?” he said.
They watched cartoons together, and when it ended, the three of them played hide-and-seek. Acwell finds it fun to play with her like this. Kai is still young, so he still can't do something like this.
When they got tired, they decided to eat the takeaway food that Acwell brought. Catrina had taken some videos and pictures of them together.
“As I told you before, keep those to yourself,” Acwell said.
“Why do you always make me feel that you are ashamed of having her?” Catrina said.
“I am not ashamed I am just regretful.”
“What did you say? You are regretful? I should be the one feeling that because I am the single mom here, but I am not.”
“Then good.”
“Acwell, why do you always do this to Amara? How could be so cruel with the child.”
“She is in front of us, so can we just stop it.”
“Oh, so when I say that he is cruel to her, it is not okay, but when he says he is regretful, it’s fine?”
Acwell paused and looked at her, annoyed. He stood and kissed his daughter. “I am going now. I will come back when I feel like it.”
“What? Wait, Acwell! What do you mean by that?”
“You heard me right.”
Acwell went straight to the door without looking at her. “I am sorry, Amara!” he whispered. He went to see his friend, which was never planned. He was too pissed that he can’t go home.
Since his friend has a license to buy liquor, they went to buy three bottles of vodka. It’s been a long time since Acwell drank, but he feels like he really needs it today.
“How was your vacation?” Ace, his friend, asked.
“It was short but great,” Acwell said.
They talked and drank in Ace’s apartment until they finished the bottles. It was 10:30 PM when Acwell decided to head home.
And when he arrives, he found Kamiah putting Kai in the crib.
“Hi, love!” Acwell said with a smile.
Kamiah could see him unable to stand straight, and the alcohol smells so strong.
“I thought you will come back right away? And you came home drank,” Kamiah said.
“Well, I feel ashamed to say no to Ace. It has been a long time since I last saw him. You remember him, right? He helped us with our wedding plans.”
“I see. Have you eaten?”
“No, love! But I am so drunk I don’t think I could eat.”
“Okay, then you better sleep.”
“Goodnight!” Acwell said, smiled, and lay down on the bed.
Kamiah was feeling off and weird. It’s been a long time since the last time he drank like this. But, she dismissed it as a get-together of friends who have not seen each other for a long time.