ThE ArrIvaL

My father arrived from Dubai where he is working last February 21, 2007. He returned for a short vacation suggested by the owner of the company he is working at.

It was almost 2 years after he left us, his family, to work abroad as an office clerk. It was not his first time to work abroad that is why I am already used to it, not having a father for 2 or 3 years. Even if I am already used to it there is still the feeling of sadness. Sadness brought by longing and missing a father.

I was not really expecting him to arrive that day because all I thought he will arrive on my sister's 12th birthday which is on February 24.

The day my father arrived, I was so busy in school practicing for the coming dramafest. We have to have an overtime so I called our house to inform my mother that I will be coming home late. When I dialled our number, a man's loud voice answered the phone. The voice was familiar but it was hard for me to recognize it. After how many seconds I found out that that voice belongs to my father. I was so overjoyed and overwhelmed knowing that he already arrived. I told him that I was not expecting him. He laughed and asked me where am I. I told him that I will be coming home late because of some important practices. He said "OK". I bid him goodbye and I hung the phone. I was so excited to go home that night. Because of so much happiness I informed all my friends that my father had already arrived. Do you know what they said? They asked for chocolates. What can I do they are my friends so I promised to bring chocolates the next day. When I arrived home it was past 8, maybe. I knocked the door and after it opened I saw my father. He was still the same. I mean, his face did not changed. I kissed him. And after that.. do you know what I did? I looked for chocolates. I told my father that my classmates were asking for chocolates.

I was so overjoyed that night because I got my cellular phone again. It was confiscated from me because my mother believe that it was the cause why I failed on one of my subjects during my third year in the university. Maybe she was right. But past is past. What is important was that I got my phone again. Thanks to my father.