I was surprised when the door opened. In fact, I was surprised and full of revenge when a tall, strict-looking, middle aged man opened the door. “Father…” I said sternly.

I know I shouldn’t have spoken or even thought that way but, I have always despised my father. He was the man who I knew I would never see again. But what was he doing here now when it has almost been a decade when he left me, my mother and my other siblings?

“Anna.” He said, annoyed with the tone of my voice which I gave him just now, “Mind your tone of voice when you’re talking to me.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I say so, and I am your father.”

“Whatever.” I replied. I hate it when he uses his role of ‘father’ against me. But since I was six, I was pretty sure he was never one, or did he even act like one. He got annoyed and angry at the expression I gave him. Furious, he walked over to me and was about to slap me. But I dodged. I knew he was going to that, he always did. And I know that I shouldn’t have dodged but.., whatever.

“Anna…” he shouted sternly. I just walked out of the room, ignoring him. I hated him, always have and always will. He was the one who broke up with my mother when my siblings and I were young. I wouldn’t say that I was the eldest, in fact, I’m the youngest. Well, was, since my younger brother was born between my mother and another man who ran away after his birth. I hated men. They never take their responsibilities seriously. And I hope, one day I won’t marry someone like HIM. Otherwise, I’d rather go single the rest of my life.

Three years have passed since that incident with my father. I’m nineteen now and am in college. Maybe if I would, I could get a part time job. Mother’s met a new man and I hope things will go better for her. Father’s been married to a new woman since that incident three years ago and that woman has her own children. So I guess he’ll be busy with them than to bother about my siblings and me anymore. And since those few years, I still despise my father.

College’s been going well for me and in a month’s time, I’ll be graduating. I still wonder who I should invite to the graduation since they said bring your parents. I could invite mom and her boyfriend, but he lives overseas. So I guess it will have to be just mom then, since I am NEVER going to invite THAT guy again, my father. And it’s not like he’d bother anyway.

Graduation day is here. My friends and I have made our vows to meet up in the future and we’re excited and nervous at the same time.

I sighed as I saw my friends run over to their families, cheering and laughing. In fact, I missed the moment when I did that with my PERFECT family, mom, my siblings and dad. But that was years ago. I should move on. But why do I feel sad not seeing dad here?

I should not lie to myself, so here’s the truth. I miss dad. I miss the time we spent until thirteen years ago. I miss his smile and his jokes. I miss him. I feel like I could cry now, in the midst of this crowd. I could, but I would look stupid, so I won’t.

Suddenly, I saw a family enter. A man with almost white hair walked in with his middle-aged wife and their two teenage children. The man noticed me and ran over, leaving his family. As he came closer, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He hugged me and said, “Annabelle, congrats…” he smiled as I cried.

“Father…”