I pulled the blanket closer to his chest as he gave me a grateful smile. I took his wheelchair and put it back in a corner and went back to his bedside to say the final greetings of the day. It was also 10 o'clock and I wanted him to sleep as he had taken all his medicines.

I looked at his worn out face as he stared back at me with so much sadness. Every wrinkle on his face had their own stories to tell. They reflected each period of his life.

It breaks my heart seeing him like this but what makes me ever more sad is the guilt that's visible on his face. It wasn't his fault yet he looks so guilty. And so... Sorry.

"Good night, dad." I said firmly because the last thing i wanted to do was break in front of him. This is a crucial time for all of us. Me; with my graduation, my brother; with his research almost being completed, my dad; who needed us more than ever, and finally my mom; the one who couldn't even last a week and is now over to my grandmother's house, exhausted. I don't hate her. It's a tough job. And everything happened just so suddenly. She's merely taking a break and she deserves it. But what she didn't consider was how it made my dad feel. He had been already so self conscious now he's worse than ever. My brother is being kept in the dark by my dads command. He didn't want him to worry and what bigger proof there can be? He thinks of himself as a nuisance.

I watched him close his eyes slowly, and suddenly a rush of emotions pass through me. I take his hand in mine and watch his sleeping figure with my wet eyes.

Dad, I love you. And I always will. No matter what happens in the future. Just don't feel so guilty all the time. I know as a fact that if I was in your place, you'd do exactly the same for me. I'm done being an ungrateful whiny baby. I'm a grown up now dad. People have problems all the time. And people learn to cope with them. I don't care if you're paralyzed or sick. Because I remember everything you've done for me vividly. It's easy to remember the bad things but I've matured. I'm not the little Wonwoo anymore that'd cry over little things. A certain someone had taught me that no matter what the situation is, we must always be grateful for the things we have.

I would be lying if i said we always got along. Sure, last year we had a lot of beef. When I started going to all the parties with vernon you didn't like it. I felt really unfair when you scolded me for wrecking your car or coming home drunk. I wished you were more understanding. But I'm just a teenager, dad. I didn't know who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. So i blamed everything on you. I was really mean to you, and I'm extremely sorry for that.

But you know what? Remember Jessi? I told you about her once. She taught me to appreciate you, dad. I remembered everything. When I wanted a candy you'd put my over your shoulder and walked all the way to the shop because we didn't have a car back then. Or when I cried for the hottest new toy, you sold your watch and bought it for me. How you taught me how to walk holding my little finger. I didn't forget it, dad. I didn't. So please don't think you're a burden. Nobody have ever done to me what you have and no matter what I do I can never repay that. Nobody have ever loved me more than you and mom. So If i can be of any use to you, don't think of it as me being forced to do that.

Dad, there are people with worse conditions than you. No matter what the problem is, the attitude is the most important thing in life. I can sense it coming and I don't want you to fall into the dark pit of depression, dad. Trust me when i say this, I know it's not pretty.

So stay with me dad. Don't go there. Let me help you. We all love you, never forget that. I'm your son, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You're my hero. Always were, always will.

A tear escaped from his closed eyelid, running down one of his cheeks. And i felt hopeful that he'd get my message and perhaps he'd understand the true worth of his existence.