Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Nora's father held her wrist and said the shocking thing that she could never imagine.

"Sit with me." He said while gesturing to her to sit.

Nora was confused but sat down.

"You know, Your Mama and I were almost about to get divorced when suddenly she got pregnant with you. It was the time when everything was falling apart between your mama and me. I didn't have any job then. Your grandma used to taunt your mom for that because that time we were a joint family." He said and paused. Nora looked at her father confused. She didn't understand why he was saying those to her now. She already knew the story. Her mother already told her. But she didn't say anything and waited for her father to continue. Patrick looked at her daughter then smiled and continued.

"Then you happened and your mama couldn't leave me. After your birth everything started to become normal. I got a job and we moved out of my parents house with you and your mama. After a few years Cara was born but I wasn't that happy because I wanted a son. After two years your mother again got pregnant and Lorenzo was born. I was so happy because I got a son. While loving Lorenzo I didn't realise I was pushing you away. You were always the rebel one among 3 of you in childhood. You always did what you wanted to do. You never cared what others thought of you. You always did what your heart instructed. And it pissed me off. I always wanted my daughter to be obedient and meek. Not rebellious. That's why I stopped caring about you. That's why I never visited you when you went to the capital for your college. That's why I never called you. That's why I never attended your graduation when you topped in your college. But then I didn't realise I was losing my daughter. I didn't realise my daughter was losing herself because of me. You became so silent and meek after you graduated from highschool. You became so quiet and obedient. Your mother kept telling me about your change of behavior but I never gave any shit. You took responsibility for our family silently. You took care of the family. You never ever complained. I remember you used to complain before why I didn't love you. Why I was doing those to you but I always ignored you. And with time you stopped complaining. When Lorenzo fell sick and I offered to sell you still you didn't complain. You agreed to marry a stranger because of your brother and your father. I feel so ashamed now. I failed you as a father. I am a horrible father. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but still I need to tell you that I'm really sorry. Please forgive me if you could." By the time Patrick finished his speech Nora was looking at the stars blankly. Tears were running down her cheeks from her eyes. She didn't say anything nor looked at her father.

Patrick was feeling worried. He expected her to be mad at him. Yell at him but she didn't do anything. She just looked ahead blankly. Patrick cleared his throat.

"Please say something Nora." He said while wiping his tears that unconsciously left from his eyes.

"Why now?"

"What?"

"Why are you saying this now, Papa?" She repeated her sentence and looked at her father.

"I've wanted to tell you this for a long time. My subconscious was eating me up with guilt. But I couldn't. When your mama told me you were pregnant I lost it. I realised my daughter grew up but I didn't notice. She was going to be a mother. But her father was horrible to her. I was going to be a grandpa. When you came here in Italy I avoided you because I couldn't look at your eyes. But now you are leaving and I don't know when I will be able to see you again. That's why I made up my mind and came here." Patrick finished as he took a deep breath. He knew she couldn't forgive him so easily but still he had to apologize for all those years.

"You know papa, all my life I used to think why did you stop loving me. What did I do wrong? Whenever I used to see a father daughter pair I used to feel pangs on my heart. In the hostel everyone's father came but you never did. My friend's fathers used to call them daily but you never once called me. I used to cry so bad. Few years back when I brought a shirt for you on Valentine's day you yelled at me without seeing it. I brought it from my pocket money which I saved by walking to college everyday because you were my Valentine. That day I cried so much and stopped expecting anything from you. Then on my graduation I waited for you. I thought now you will be so proud of me. Maybe now you will call me your daughter and hug me. But you never came. That day I realised I will never be good enough for you. I will never be your daughter. It hurts to never be a good enough daughter. It hurts so much trying desperately to gain your father's attention but never getting any. It hurts when a father ignores his own daughter for years. It hurts so bad papa. It hurts so bad." Nora finished with a sob. Suddenly she started sobbing hysterically . All the pain of those years came rushing back to her.

Patrick felt his heart was breaking. He hugged and started kissing her head and she buried her face in his chest while sobbing.

"I'm sorry, mio amore. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me. You are the best daughter in the whole world. You are my daughter and I'm so proud of you." He said while crying with her daughter. He had hurt her so bad.

"Si papa. Honestly It is hard for me to forgive you so fast. But I will try." She said while still sobbing. No matter what her father did she could never stay angry with her father. She loved him so much. And now finally her father was hugging her and calling her his daughter. She waited her whole life for this moment. She was one of those unfortunate daughters who never got their father's love. She was one of those desperate daughters waiting for her whole life to get their fathers affection.

"Thank you, my baby." Patrick said as he was so relieved that his daughter is ready to forgive him for his horrible deeds.

They stayed there for a few moments hugging each other. Then Patrick said

"It's getting cold here, let's go inside otherwise you and baby will catch a cold."

"Si." She said and smiled at her father. Patrick got up and brought his hand out for Nora which she accepted with a smile. They went inside the house but unaware of the fact that someone else also witnessed everything they said from the start.