“I did not broke up with him because he loves someone else, Tito. It wasn’t my reason because I’ve accepted that before and still choose to be with him. My reason is myself, Tito. I wanted to stop begging for love and attention. Tito, this hurts a lot and it keeps on damaging me and I don’t think I’d be able to fix myself if I stayed with your son. I couldn’t be fixed with the reason behind my brokenness. I still love Xavier, Tito. But I couldn’t say that I love him the same because I know deep in me that I am learning to let go of us now. I am starting to learn how to love myself now Tito, and I know someday I’ll be able to fix myself too. I don’t know if I could still love after this but I that’s not my priority now. I wanted to focus on myself and do everything I could to be better. I gave myself hundred percent to your son Tito, that I feel drained now. I don’t want to disappoint you Tito but I hope you also understand me. I don’t want to be caged in a relationship that I am the only one who keeps it. I am so tired of all this, and I hope you’ll understand me Tito. I’m really sorry I couldn’t fulfill my promise anymore.”
I suddenly feel better. I feel like the heaviness in my chest suddenly vanished. Tito Felipe stayed silent for some minutes. He looked at me with his sad eyes and I felt the same but I really wanted to do this for myself.
“I understand you ija. I hope you forgive me for pushing my son at you. Let me apologize too for all the things that my son had done to you. For all his shortcomings and all the pain he caused. Thank you for understanding him and staying with him for the past four years. Don’t worry, Veronica. I understand you, I am sad because I really want you for my son but if you want this for yourself then I’ll support you. Your happiness is also important for me. I understand everything, Vy.”
I felt at ease when Tito Felipe smiled at me after he said that. I also felt like I wanted to cry so I let myself.
“Thank you, Tito.”
This is what I wanted. I am glad that he understands me and supports my decision. We stayed in silent for some moment until I calmed myself and then told him I have to go home.
“Tito, I’ll have to go home already. Thank you for you time,” I said as I fix myself and stood up. Tito Felipe also stood up and gave me a warm hug.
I suddenly thought of my real father. Would I feel this way too if he hugs me? Maybe no. I bet it would feel better if I was able to hug my parents, but since I don’t know them I am already so grateful that I have Tito Felipe in my life. He really stands as my father and I’m so blessed to have him.
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat first?” he asked after he gave me a hug.
I smiled at him before answering his question, “I’m sure Tito. I’ll just eat when I get home.”
“Then let Roman bring you home,” he insisted but I refused.
“There’s no need for that Tito. Besides, I have to go somewhere first before coming home,” I reasoned out. I just don’t want to hassle them.
“Are you sure ija? Roman can just bring you where you have to go,” he tries to convince me.
“I’m alright Tito. Thank you,” I said.
“Okay then, take care ija and please visit us more often okay?” he said while smiling. I nodded and waved at him.
I was about to go out when I turned to face Tito again. I suddenly remember the issue about Xavier’s career.
“Tito, before I forgot. It’s about Xavier’s recording,” I said a bit shy. I saw his eyebrow shot and he looked confused.
“Let’s just support him with that. Your son is a good musician, Tito. He’s also old enough to handle himself so I hope you won’t use that against him. I support him with that Tito and I’m proud of him. He really loves music and I’m sure you see his passion on it too. Let’s just let him be and support his thing,” I smiled when I saw that he was amaze to hear me say that. I know that he’s only doing that because he knows Xavier couldn’t bare to lose his passion. 
I got home feeling better. I know this is not the end of my problems but I am so happy that this is not a problem anymore. At least, this won’t be an issue again.
I’m really thankful that Tito Felipe is understanding. Now I hope Xavier will be happy. This is what he really wants and I’m happy for him even if it still hurts me a bit.
I texted Gail and tell her I’m home. She replied that she’ll be home at lunch after her work. I also received a text from Rica saying I should get well soon because they need me. I sighed, I hope there will be no problem especially now that I am sick.
I prepared the ingredients for my dish. I feel better now so it wouldn’t be hard for me to cook for me and Gail. Besides, I am still on my sick leave.
I’m going to cook Caldereta, Gail’s favorite. Between the two of us, I was the one who is used to do household chores because not only she’s messy she grew up with a good life. She doesn’t have to do chores in their house because they have maids.
Thinking about our friendship makes me happy. We are really the complete opposite of each other but that doesn’t stop our bond.
Gail’s father is a businessman while her mother is a professor on a known university in Manila so it wasn’t shocking to know that they have a good life. They are nice but both of them are too busy that sometimes they couldn’t give time for their family. I rememver when I knew Gail, we were classmates on one subject when we were on our 2nd year in college. We suddenly get close at each other and created a good bond and friendship. We would always meet up with our vacant time. She used to rant a lot about how her parents couldn’t give her time but then when she knew about my situation, she didn’t tell me directly but I saw how she slowly changed into much understanding daughter of her parents.