"Kumain ka na ba?"

Suddenly I remember Pop and an instance in my life so long ago ( or has it been that long?) bata pa ako surely, to believe that going home at 9pm is way too late for any teenager. One time umuwi ako pasado 9 na nang gabi. I can't remember where I was from, though. But I can remember dreading a helluva reprimand since I was a freshman in college and I really have no business going home so late. So then, ingat na ingat pa akong bukasan ang pinto, as it seems everybody else was asleep already, only to realize that Pop was sitting in the dark, silently waiting. I remember feeling somewhat frozen to where I stood. Oh no! Pop's gonna scold me for sure (and yes, I was that young to be afraid of my fathers wrath). My mind was raising to come up with a decent enough reason for being late. I dreaded him asking me where I went, who was I with and what the hell was I doing that I failed to be home earlier. I have no valid answer, atleast nothing that would excuse me to warrant no reprimand. But my dad is the coolest most liberated man. Because instead of being mad at me, he simply asked "kumain ka na ba?". I swear relief wasn't the first feeling that swept thru me, rather it was guilt! Guilt, for worrying him needlessly while I was probably just out with friends on a school night (I say probably kasi di ko talaga matandaan why gabi na ako nakauwi!) Madami siyang pweding itanong sa akin that time and have every right to. But he just asked if I ate already, and after getting the positive response, without another word just went up to finally sleep. He did not scold me on a deed done wrong. But he did talk to me come morning, in a calm but firm way, and reminded me of what I did wrong.( I failed to let my parents know that I will be home late.) I realized that I was taught a lesson then. I am an adult so I should act like one. I love and admire my dad for that. For being fair in dealing with me for my transgression. For talking to me without scorn or feeling of being belittled. For not pushing and demanding what he wanted of me but letting me know for myself what that should be and to act and have the responsiblity for all my action. reposting just so we could get updated the original note hails from here :