Chapter II: 2.3. John Lloyd's home

“So how was it?” Daddy Chito asked John Lloyd.

”How was what?” he innocently asked in return. He just knew his dad was asking about the rehearsal.

“You want me to spell it out for you?” His dad managed a smile.

“How was it seeing Sarah again?”

John Lloyd put down on the table the glass of water he was holding and looked at his dad.

“I’m your dad, you’re my son. I know your heart. I can see it.” Daddy Chito continued.

“Dad, it’s too early to be having this conversation. Mom’s not even up yet. And why are you here?” John Lloyd tried to avoid his father’s question. His father seldom visited him in his house.

“I wanted to talk to you. To see if you’re alright.” His dad explained.

“And don’t change the topic. How is she?”

John lloyd took a deep breath and drank again from his glass. Daddy Chito looked at him and waited.

“She’s good. She looks great." He said after awhile.

"How did you know? What gave me away?”

His dad sadly smiled at him. “I’ve always known that you love her. You can’t stop smiling when you talk about her. You built this house and the first thing that you brought in was your picture together.”

They both glanced at the photo frame of him and Sarah that John Lloyd placed on top of the piano. That had been there since he started living in his new house. That was August, the year before last. There were other photos there too. There was one with his family. A couple of shots from his photoshoots and his old movies. But that picture of him and Sarah was really special. It was from a scene from the music video they did for the movie themesong.

That day started cranky for him. He almost had no sleep at all because he had a taping the night before. They almost got into a traffic accident because of an irresponsible driver. So by the time, John Lloyd made it to the studio he was not in the mood already.

Sarah was there. She smiled at him as she said “Good morning.”

They changed their clothes and started the shoot. Sarah looked really pretty in red.They were standing together, dancing. John Lloyd was still feeling cranky though, when Sarah whispered.

“You okay? Smile for me please. Uy, smile na yan.”

He looked at her and felt his smile start from his heart all the way to his eyes and lips.

That was something that never happened to him before. It was a new but beautiful experience. And he had a picture of that moment to remind him of that special day.

The picture brought him back to the present. His dad was asking about Sarah.

“What shall I do dad? I still love her. I’ve always loved her.” He looked at the ceiling when he said that.

He couldn’t really look at him. He felt embarrassed admitting it to his dad, when they both knew he was still in a relationship.

Daddy Chito put his hand at his son’s shoulder and squeezed it a little. He did not say anything for a full minute. When he talked again, it was a whisper.

“Idan, you’re my son. I believe you know the right thing to do.” Then he made his way to the door.

“Does mom know?” John lloyd asked his father’s back.

His dad turned around and looked at the pictures again, before he answered him.

“I saw her once just staring at that picture. Smiling.”

He opened the door, and went out.

“Hey dad!” John lloyd called. “Thank you.”

Daddy Chito poked his head out the door.

“You’re welcome son. And oh, we’ll be watching ASAP later. Sarah will be there right?” A wink, and he was gone.

John lloyd was left standing there. He looked again at their picture. He thought he kept his secret well, he was clearly mistaken. His parents knew it. He wondered if they also knew his other secret. He glanced at one of the closed doors and smiled.

It was Sunday morning. His favorite day of the week.