Under One Roof

Last Sunday, some relatives of my dad came by to visit. Whenever there is a gathering in my dad’s side of the family, my eldest aunt would be there with her husband. I love my aunt so much. She’s like a second mom to me already. She’s the one I turn to when I have a problem or something’s bothering me. She would, in turn, call me up when she needs someone to talk to. In a way, she’s like a mom, aunt, sister and bestfriend all rolled into one.

But her husband is a different story. I like the guy but then I don’t like his drinking habits and his bossiness. My dad is all for pakikisama and would always go out of his way to welcome everyone. My aunt’s husband cannot sit down and have a decent conversation without bottles of beer in front of him and the men around him. I’ve told him and my other uncles (my dad’s brothers and brothers-in-law) that my dad almost suffered a heart attack a few months ago. Had in fact a soft stroke. And that I don’t want him drinking, even on those occasions when there is a gathering. It doesn’t matter if my dad will stop at 1 bottle. No, not for him! If his drinking buddies are still drinking and would offer him another bottle, he won’t say no. Nakikisama na naman.

Anyway, last Sunday, the visit was supposed to be a short one and the reason why the relatives visited was to see my grandparents. My dad went there while my sisters and I were having our siesta. When I woke up, my other sister told me my dad went there and that my aunt’s husband started the rounds of drinking again.

I ended up shouting at my dad over the phone telling him to go home or else…

I always end up being rude in an attempt to get my dad away from temptation. And I hate it! I don’t want to be the adult always but I have no choice because nobody’s stepping up. I don’t want my dad to get sick, have a heart attack or worse, get paralyzed. I don’t want to end up saddled with a sick person 24/7 again. I don’t like sickness in the house. I don’t want to lose my dad when we just lost my mom more than 3 years ago.

My dad can be a child sometimes. Those times, being the eldest, I need to be the parent. If I have another choice, I don’t want this responsibility at all. I truly hate it!