Dad: Ilan sa mga batchmates mo ang ggraduate?

Me: Actually konti lang Dad.

Dad: Sabi nga ng kliyente ko, 4 and a half years daw talaga ang college sa UP kasi hinihiwalay yung thesis.

Me: Onga eh, mahirap ang 18 units with thesis.

Dad: Pero nakaya mo diba? It's all in the mind.

Me: But 'di ako laude.

Dad: Okay lang yan.

Me: Halos lahat sa college namin cum laude. Exception talaga pag di ka cum laude.

Dad: Ah okay lang yan. Magiging successful ka naman.

Me: Right.

Dad: You remind me of your lolo when you wear that ring.

"Happy happy birthday to my one and only daughter. Just wanna tell you that I'm so proud and privileged to have a caring, loving and achieving sibling like you. God in his goodness and grace has gifted me with a daughter whom I love so much. May all your dreams and wishes come true as you enter another phase in your life as you graduate. Me and your mom will always be here for you. When your mom was pregnant, I asked God to give me daughter. Never thought he will give me a wonderful gift of person like you. Couldn't ask for more. I love you anak and I will always be here for you."

That look on his face when we commuted for the first time together. He parked his car somewhere in Baclaran saying that the traffic make it impossible for him to get to his destination on time. We rode the LRT. He looked so worried and actually asked me to go to the female area, and I'm like, "Dad, I commute everyday". Then he'd ask me to go to the spot with less people and glance over his shoulder to see if there are bad guys. The way he prods me to eat breakfast even though my college life has an underlying theme of skipped breakfasts. How he drives the long way to take me off my destination and lets me hang out in the office even though I'm just there for the Wifi.

It's weird. I haven't gotten used to having Dad around so much. And I feel so thankful God gave me an opportunity to spend more time. :)