Realize

His eyes are round and are that of a rather light grey which sparkle upon her agreement to an early morning jog. His greying eyebrows are in need of grooming and they furrow ever so slightly whenever she refuses to stuff anymore vegetables down her rebellious tummy. His nose is humungous and it often twitches whenever she has yet not showered at late nights.

He has a gargantuan appetite that always sends her laughing uproariously as he wolfs down, even the least decent food, and still manages to make them look scrumptious. He has the most magnanimous heart - a heart that is willing to care regardless of her tantrums, to forgive even when she is twice bitten, to love unconditionally despite a recent minor breakdown that has stolen a part of her old self away from her. 

Over a course of 3 days, she's noticed some additions to his already crinkled forehead, whilst another two run down on both sides of his mouth and many spread all over his weather-beaten skin as she placed her hand in his, involuntarily fingering the rough surface of his palm. It then dawned on her that as she was growing up by the days, so was he aging - very rapidly, in fact.

In 2 days' time, she would be gone, leaving her comfort zone for a second home that awaits her behind the gates of a boarding school. "Just when I thought you and I got closer this holiday, you will be leaving me again!" Just then, gone was the strong and determined man she has come to know but a father in his 70s, conversing with his only 15-year-old daughter. Those mere words were followed by a laugh that resonated in the dining room. A laugh that screams emptiness... Just like a reflection of his own self.

- a better daughter in making