When a Man Loves

The Third Chapter

Mille

Because its cold in the park we decided to talk inside the car we are currently on the hospital basement parking. He grabbed some coffee on the way here. He broke the silence.

"How are you?" he asked me. I can sense on his voice how much he missed me.

"I'm really sorry Ji, I'm really sorry." That's the only word that I can say to him. I don't know where to start.

"That's all in the past. What we need to focus on is our future with our child." He said to me while looking in my eyes.

"After you left, I know something is wrong. When Ivan died, I decided to look for you. I hired private investigator to look for you in the Philippines. It took a while before he finally found you and when he found out you're in residing in Cebu for your business you already move here in Korea for Seola's treatment." He explained to me.

"I'm really sorry that I had to hide your child to you. I really thought that's the best for all of us. I know ever since we move here at some point, we might see each other, and time will come I would need to introduce you to our child but didn't think it would be this soon." I replied to him

"I completely understand you. I was on the peak of my career. It is also my fault that I didn't look for you right away and its my fault that I let you go just like that." He told me. I felt how he regretted it.

"Seola is almost 5 years old now. We fondly call her Lala. She knew that you are working abroad for us. I told her that your craft requires you to be there all the time. But what she knows is that one day she will meet you. I always told her stories about you. How great person are you are and how much you love her. That's the least I can do for you." I told him.

"Thank you" he told me

"She has stage II Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Her doctors in Manila suggested to move her to Singapore or here for diagnosis and further treatment. She is currently under low dose oral chemotherapy. If it goes well, they will push for higher dosage through IV." I explained to him.

"If her treatment here goes well, I am planning in moving permanently in Canada for her. Canada has better medical options to offer and if ever she needs further treatment, its near to US. But only if you agree. You are with us now. I can't just decide for her." I added

"Thank you for including me in making decisions for her but for the mean time let's focus on her current treatment here and if we need to go to that path, we will decide what's best for her." He told me.

"She was on the ICU few days ago. Her lungs are having hard time, so the doctors decided to move her to PICU and use noninvasive nose ventilator. She slowly getting stable so the doctors just move her to a private room today" I explained to him. I can in his eyes how worried he is.

"She's probably asleep now. Do you want to see her? But if you're not ready I completely understand." I told him. I can see how much he is excited to see her daughter.

"Are you sure it's, okay?" he asked me, and he looked at me.

"If you just know how much Seola wanted to see you." I told him. I looked on my phone and I saw that its time for her beside nurse to go.

"Let's go? Its time for her beside nurse to go. I need to be there now." I quickly told him. He quickly put his black facemask and black cap

Ji Chul

We went inside the Hospital. I really want to see my daughter. I really don't care if people may recognize me.

When we arrive to the PICU only immediate family can go inside. When she wrote down my English name Keith and she listed me as her husband I couldn't help but smile. I can finally say I am with my family now. We are required to wear PPE. When we went inside Lala's room I saw how many medical equipment was attached to her. When the bed side nurse left Lala slowly woke up and gave us a very warm smile.

"Hi baby! How are you?" Mille asked her

"Good! I slept so well and i had a very nice dream." She cheerfully told her Mommy

"Really? May I know what it is?" Mille asked her again.

"It's about Daddy. He said he will go and see me and he buy me a lot of chocolates!" Lala replied. I couldn't help but cry. And I saw Mille wipe her tears.

"Mommy have surprise for you." Mille told her.

"What Mommy? Are we going home? Are we going to see Daddy?" Lala asked will running out of breath.

"But before that, I want you to speak slowly okay?" She instructed Lala and she nodded. I felt Camille's hand squishing my hands.

"Remember when I told you that Daddy will find time to see you. That he loves you very much that's why he needs to work hard?" Mille explained to Lala.

"Daddy finally finishes his work and he can be with us na." She further explained.

"Now, I want you to meet Daddy Keith." Mille instructed me to seat beside her and I lowered my face mask.

"Hello my love! My Seola! If you just know how much Daddy wants to see you." I told her and she immediately hugged me.

"Daddy! My Daddy! I have my Daddy now! I miss you so much! I love you Daddy!" She keeps on explaining

"Slowly baby. Inhale, exhale. Daddy won't go anywhere so please speak slowly." Mille reminded Lala while wiping her tears. I look on Seola's face, she looks exactly like me. She's indeed my daughter. My heart is over joyed. We are all crying. My family is finally complete. Seola don't want to let go of me.

"Can I join?" Mille asked and join our group hug.