Acwell did not come today. I even asked Selene if he did, but she said no.
"Why am I even asking? Like as if him being there will do me any good," I said to myself while I was taking a shower. I dismissed the thought and headed to work.
It's Friday night, so it was busy. People are mostly out because it's usually no school and no work the following day. I forgot about Acwell; I got focused on working.
Hazel and I partnered today, and when our shift ended, we complained of how tired we were.
"I could not believe that this diner will be full tonight. I thought people would have a lot of choices to go," Hazel said.
"I was surprised, too. The number of customers is almost the same as the number of people going to the bar," I replied in agreement with what she said.
"Looks like our promos are working well. Oh, by the way, did you see him?"
"See who?"
"The guy I told you about that looks like Kai?"
"He came?"
"You did not see him enter last night and order take away?"
"No. I was so busy serving that I was not able to see who was coming and going."
"Again, you missed him! Why is it always happening? But I am sure that when you see him, you will agree that he looks like your son. You might even mistake him for being Kai's father."
I laughed and said, "I am sure he is not."
When I left the diner, I was so exhausted. But I am off tomorrow. Finally, I could get more sleep.
I opened the door of the apartment to find Acwell and Kai in the living room.
My eyes widened, and I asked, "Where is Selene?"
"She has an exam later, so when I arrived around 07:00 AM, I let her leave. I want to give her some time to study," Acwell replied with a smile.
"Okay. I will prepare some breakfast then."
"No."
"Huh?"
"I have ordered some food. It will arrive maybe after 10 minutes. You can just go take a shower and change if you want."
"O-okay."
I went inside my room, wondering why is he here again? I took a shower, and when I went out, the food arrived.
"The food is here," Acwell said with a smile.
I forced a smile and took Kai. I placed him on his high chair. While Acwell arranged the food on the table, and we ate.
"How was work?"
"It was busy, but it's was fine."
"Why didn't you tell me that you went back to waitressing?"
I looked at him with my eyes widened.
"How did you know?"
"I went on three job interviews yesterday, that is why I was not able to come here. I slept when I went home and woke up late, so I went to the nearby diner to eat. I was thinking of eating there, but when I went inside, I saw you. I did not want you to feel uncomfortable while working, I decided to order a take-away."
So, Hazel was right. The guy she kept seeing was indeed Kai's father. I was quiet; I could not answer him for a minute.
"It was the job that I could find for someone like me who is under a tourist visa."
"Why did you throw your career for that?"
"I did not want to. It was hard to leave a job that I came to like for this. But I wanted to start anew and away from you."
"I know."
There was a silence before Acwell said, "I was hurt seeing you there having a hard time. You must be coming home exhausted all the time."
"I need to earn a living for us to survive here."
"Why did you not asked some money from me?"
"I did not want to be like Catrina. I don't want to do anything with you. You can give her support. Kai and I will be fine. We managed when you were away, and I think we will always can."
"Of course you will. That is one of the things I love about you. When it comes to money, you don't like to depend on anyone. But it made me feel horrible to make you suffer like that."
"Then, you should not have come here."
"I needed to be here. My family is here."
"Acwell, we cannot go back to the same situation we had before. I don't want the same cycle and routines with you, your daughter, and her mother. I am done with that toxic relationship. So, please just leave us alone."
"Who said we will go back to the same thing?"
"Acwell, can you not see that? For a long, as they are there, you will still be confused about what you want to happen between you and your daughter. You can't decide on how things should be. Kai and I will always be put to blame. I am tired with all of those."
I started crying. I could not hold myself.
"I am deeply sorry. To be honest, I am angry at myself and hurt, too. I even wished my daughter was not around, which was for sure wrong. I hoped for her to go and be born to someone else. I wanted her to have a better life. I tried doing that for her, but I couldn't. I am not the right father for her. All of these because I was not happy. It's hard to leave my daughter, but it's harder to lose you two."
I was just listening to what he said while I was still sobbing.
"It sounds selfish for a father to that way. I know. But it would not also be good for her to grow up with her parents fighting all the time. I would have wanted for her to grow up knowing Kai, watched them love and play with each other as siblings. But if Catrina and I can't agree on how things should be, then it's not going to happen no matter how hard I try. I left Dubai with the decision of temporarily cutting communications with them. I did this for Catrina to heal and accept that we are not meant for each other. But I hope one day my daughter will understand that."
"What about Catrina? Did she understood that?"
"She was still angry and hurt. Catrina even warned me that she would not let me see my daughter if I leave which I would not contradict. She raised her almost by herself. But I prayed in time she will."
"So, what are you trying to say? That I should just take you back just like that."
"No. I need to earn it. And I will show it to you that I do deserve it."
"I don't know, Acwell. I think I have heard that several times from you."
"But I never showed you. And that is my goal."