The sound of feet thumping against the floor echoed as you ran down the stairs in a hurry.

Grabbing the bread from the countertop, you made a mad dash towards the door, which was opened from the outside.

You didn't slow down. Instead, you went past the man who was startled to see you shot out of the house.

Not sparing a glance, you grabbed the shoes neatly stacked on the shoe rack and hastily put it on. The man just shook his head in amusement.

Once the shoes were properly worn, you took off in a hurry, shouting, "bye, dad!" at the man before disappearing at the corner.

The man just smiled before entering the house, shutting the door behind him.

...............

White walls and white blowy coats were all you could see as you dashed through the hall, determined to find that place.

The number on the door matched with the numbers in your mind. Without hesitation, you entered the room, and found what you were looking for.

There, lying on the bed, was a man you knew your whole life, looking so weak and feeble. Slowly, you approached him, unsure if he was really the same man you knew since you were little.

"Dad..."

Those closed eyes slowly opened, revealing those familiar pair of orbs that you always see, those same eyes that you stared at when you were just a little child.

His lips curved into a smile, somewhat painfully, as he looked at you.

"Dad..." you fought back the urge to cry, but it was useless. The man that had carried you in his strong arms, the man that always tells those crappy jokes that oddly sounded so funny to you, is currently lying helplessly on that white bed, waiting for his time to end.

Dad...I-" you choked on your own words, your tongue refusing to cooperate with you. In the end, you only stood there, quietly watching his chest rising and falling.

The man in question said nothing. Instead, he beckoned you to come closer. And you did.

The moment his hand -that strong yet gentle hand- touched yours, you instantly broke down in tears.

This, this is the man who had protected you since you were little, the man who comforted you when you had nightmares, the man who was smiling proudly at your graduation day, the man who said that you were his greatest gift, the man who had taught you many things in life, and still has many things left that he still hasn't taught yet.

"Dad... don't leave me... please... don't go..." you plead in vain, knowing that it was useless.

The man just gave you a wrinkled smile, one that spoke of warmth and love and acceptance.

Slowly, the man raised his hand and softly played with your hair, the same way he had done when you were little. It gave you some comfort a long time ago, but now... it only made you cry harder.

With a bit of a struggle, he spoke with a gentle voice filled with love. "I love you."

You grinned at him, even though you are still crying. "Me too," you answered. "Me too."

The man sighed in relief. And, with a face that held peace, he closed his eyes and fell into eternal slumber.

The moment the line went flat, you called out to him one last time, kissed his forehead tenderly, whispered, "May your soul rest in peace," softly in his ears and slowly let go of the hand that had once supported you, forever.
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Dedicated to my friend who has lost her father who died from a heart attack. May his soul rest in peace.