Freedom of Choice: an Epiphany on a Morning Encounter

 Awoken by the piercing sound of an alarm, I immediately seized my vibrating phone and swiped right. Fixing my bed as I prepare to dress for school, my mother startled me, telling breakfast is ready.
"Anak, baba na. Luto na yung pagkain," She screamed.
"Opo, pababa na," I replied.
Not even bothering to take a shower, I crept down the stairs, in hopes of feeling less droopy by eating. This course had me feeling a little more stressed than ever, but it's the things we choose that makes us, doesn't it? I chowed down on hotdogs, and eggs, with fried rice, while reviewing pointers I had simplified in the past few weeks. I almost choked on the steaming, hot choco when I realized I haven't took a bath, so I hurriedly munched, and went upstairs. Gathering my stuff as I go, my  mother handed me a lunch box.
"Galingan mo sa exam, ha?" My mother cued.
"I will, salamat ma," I responded.
"Mag-iingat ka, ha?" She reminded
"Opo." I screamed as I ran out.
It still seems unbelievable to me, the fact that she has her PhD, also works at  a university, still makes room to take care of me. I guess her decisions made her empowered to do so, taking on responsibilities despite the fact that she doesn't have to. I wish to do the same, too. I went on and strode to my first class, happened to be the one that has a scheduled test. I immediately sat down and prepared, remaining unfazed and calm, even though everyone knows  for a fact that this subject is hard. After I finished, I just decided I would stay at an internet café, since I only had that single class to take anyways. I walked my way to the gate, and unexpectedly, I spotted a painfully familiar face. From that moment, I knew exactly who he was, it was my father, who left when I was 2. I was dumbfounded, anger boiled up inside, his audacity sickens me.
"Son, can we talk, please?" He pleaded.
"Sure, bilisan mo lang," I responded, with obvious disdain in my tone.
"I don't appreciate that tone, ama mo pa rin ako," he explained.
"Ama? You sure didn't act like one when  you said `goodnight n' go` 17 years ago habang si mama mag-isa lang na kumakayod para sa aming dalawa, kahit alam mong parehas niya kaming pinag-aaral, tapos ngayon, you still have the courage na ipamukha sa aking ikaw yung paternal figure ko when in fact, si mama yung gumawa ng lahat ng yon, Roger," I blurted, not even stuttering.
"I'm sorry pero wala ka nang karapatan sa akin, lalo ngayong hindi ko na gamit ang pangalan mo, pinili mong umalis, panindigan mo sana." I continued.
He chose to leave, so he should bear its consequences, right? He was free to stay, but I guess it's too late na, kahit ngayong napatawad ko na siya. I paced past him, he didn't bother to stop me, not that it would make a difference. I chose to forgive, but never forget the impact it had on my mother. I finally arrived at the café, it was almost empty,  but it's still early. Feeling exhausted by the recent encounter, and examination, I heartily ate the packed lunch I brought. Any parent would be agitated, at least, if they found out their child was making tambay sa computer shop agang-aga, but not mine, because I know that she knew, I was responsible, and I am ready to face the consequences of my actions. I can sleep peacefully, at night, knowing not a single person I know, shall ever suffer the outcome of my foolishness. I decided, keeping in mind that I may flee at any given moment I choose, but rather, I stayed. Our decisions matter, and every right decision we make liberates us from peril. Choosing what is just, even at the sight of oppression, is the true essence of freedom.