The Wife's Illusion

Chapter 1

JAM KIRSTEN CELESTIAL's POV

"Yes! My part is over, Dad!" I said happily as I showed my father my finished wooden toy.

This is what Dad and I have been doing for the past year, or it is correct to say that even before I was born into the world, this is the job that Dad Jasper is busy with.

My father is a sculptor and he sculpts your wooden structure. Your tables and other equipment. Dad also had a talent for making toys that were affordable for their parents.

Even though it was made of wood, it was well made, because my Dad was very good at that. That's one of my admirers.

Apart from his sculpting, Dad also comes up with good ideas for his new objects and he is good at drawing different cartoon characters or toys.

I am one of the inheritors of my father's talent. He actually told me that I can become an Architect or an Interior Designer but I still prefer to sculpt wooden toys that we use.

But I got a different course. I am graduating from my Business Management course. If I have enough savings, I can build my own shop that will only create children's toys. Maybe if I become big time in the near future we won't be able to use wood anymore. Maybe evolve too. Char!

"Oh! My son is really good! Dad is so proud of you, Jam!" Dad happily told me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and he took the toy I made from me.

A small person but with a big belly. Actually, he's really an elf. That's what I thought. Then the only thing missing is its color. I also drew them on paper.

"It's beautiful! It's not faded yet!" he said in amazement and Dad was still laughing. Then he put his arm around me.

Dad and I were in the little house and we were face to face on the floor while our smiles were wide as we watched the toys that kept us alive.

Our foundation is sweat, blood, fatigue, sleeplessness and so we were able to create them in just a few days. Yes, all the emotions we will feel are really with him. But we were happy while Dad and I were sculpting. It was fun for us to say that whoever gets caught will be freed from Aling Sahara's pancit canton in his pansitirea.

That seems to be an inspiration for me and my father, so we are given more motivation to start and finish Dad's object idea.

"Pancit canton, Dad!" I shouted. Dad just laughed out loud and ruffled my shoulder-length hair. My hair is a natural chocolate color and I even have bangs. I'm used to it.

"Oh, come on! Let's go!" he also shouted and I was still clapping because of so much fun.

I guess that's my reward. To eat pancit canton.

I stood up and took my black hoodie from our small chair and put it on. I also handed Dad's wallet to him. My eyebrows went up and down and I grinned. Dad just shook his head. It has become our favorite, eh.

"Yes! It comes with an egg and a soft drink!" Dad said and we went out of our house together.

Father Jasper and I have a small home but it has two rooms. We have very little equipment inside. Except for our sculpting toys that are all in the living room.

It's just the two of us living together, while Mother Fei died when I was only ten years old. My mother had a heart disease and because we were short of money we could not get her treated at the hospital.

Dad's job is just enough for our daily living expenses. Then Mom also chose to rest and she didn't want to make it difficult for my Dad anymore, how is he going to get a lot of money to treat him. He said that he didn't want to be a burden anymore and that if we had money, it would be better to keep it for my studies.

It was fine for me to stop studying then. Because my mother's health is more important. But nothing either.

I know that Dad was very hurt by the loss of my mother but he said, there is nothing we can do because that is what is destined for Mom. That is God's will and it is said that its life will last until that. We're all like that, there's just something to come first...

Somehow my father has moved on especially since he still has a child, which is me. So he will live for me.

For many years Dad Jasper stood in as my mother and father. Even though I grew up without a mother to take care of me, Dad never lacked in his love for me as his son. I am satisfied with Dad and I am happy that he became my father.

That's why he's doing everything he can for my good future, but my parents are there with me...even though Mother Fei is gone. I know that he is happy and doing well now.

My father and I are at peace because we both know that my mother is no longer feeling any pain.

Today is Sunday, Father Jasper has a day off from his work, so today is the only day we get together. Dad is also very busy with his work. Before he was just a carpenter when we were still in the province but now he works in a shop.

We just left Manila, when I passed the exam to get a scholarship. Actually, I will pay half of the tuition when I go to college because of my high grades and I will graduate this year as well.

And I was lucky enough to be included in the dean's lister, so Dad was really proud of me. I also did my best.

Aling Sahara's pansiteria is just some distance away from our house and as I expected there are many customers eating inside.

It's only three in the afternoon and naturally people eat snacks at this time. The school is also close to this place so students are often their customers. Only those who can afford it in their budget go here. Because their food here is affordable.

Aling Sahara has been building this business for a long time, so it is well known to most people. Then another delicious thing is the pancit canton they cook.

"Even at this hour, there are still many customers coming in," Dad commented and glanced at me for a moment.

"Yes, Dad, because Aling Sahara's pancit canton is delicious," I also commented.

"Oh, it's him, you really have to look for it. That's why you always beat me, eh," he said to me and ruffled my hair again.

"It's not like that, Dad, eh. Even if you win, I can still eat our favorite noodles," I excused myself. He just laughed.

One of my joys is seeing Dad happy. So if I see him sad and struggling it seems like I am too.

When we got close to Aling Sahara's pansiteria, we saw that he was very busy at the counter, almost bent down, but when he raised his head, he accidentally looked at us.

He immediately greeted Father Jasper and me with a wide smile before he hugged a woman who was also close to him. He said something here that I didn't hear. The woman only nodded.

"Good afternoon, Sahara," Dad greeted her softly and her smile grew even bigger, her cheeks also reddened.

I don't want to give a different meaning to the emotions he showed to my Dad, but I can't help it, eh. I can't help but think of things that could happen.

I'm not stupid enough not to know Aling Sahara's true feelings for my father. But I know...it will only hurt him. If he continues to feel that way.

I'm not saying that I don't want Aling Sahara for my Dad. There's nothing wrong with them, because they both don't have husbands anymore, but what I'm more worried about is how he will feel.

Because I know, even though it's been a few years since we lost Mom, Dad Jasper's heart still beats with her. My father loves Mother Fei very much.

Aling Sahara is a widow and has only two children, a boy and a girl. It was five years ago when her husband died. Because the lungs are on fire, there are as many vices as her ex-husband. Wine is one of them.

"Good afternoon to you too, Jasper," he greeted Dad and turned to look at me, "and the same to you, Jam." I just nodded in response.

"Give me and my son two pancit cantons with egg, Sahara. Go with a cold soft drink," said Dad and he helped me sit down. Fortunately, there is still an empty table.

It's big but we can barely fit inside. Also, it's not hot because it has a ceiling fan and a big TV. So it's more relaxing inside and the atmosphere is light.

"I'm going to guess... Maybe your son has defeated you again, Jasper..." I couldn't help but laugh out loud because Aling Sahara always guesses right.

Because when he sees the two of us going out and going straight to his cafeteria, he already knows that Dad always loses. Sometimes we also buy food from them. If I'm not the one who buys it, Dad himself volunteers, or before he goes home to our house, he'll stop by here first.

"Because my son is taking advantage of his Dad's slowness. You know that when he gets older, he moves too slowly," my Dad joked.

I grinned and Aling Sahara was also infected by our laughter.

"Oh, I'll take it first. Since this son of yours is very smart," he commented. I'm not used to people complimenting me so I know both my cheeks are tomato colored.

"Oh, my son's head is growing again. Just a compliment," Dad teased me. My snout lengthened.

"Dad, eh. You also like to tease me," I said with a frown.

"I'm right. Look at both of your cheeks. They're redder than tomatoes," he said, making my face frown even more.

I wasn't even pissed off when Dad pissed me off and after a while he kept quiet and sighed. He seems sad again...

"By the way, son... Your Mother Fei's death anniversary is coming soon," he said. I was the one who sighed.

"It's been eleven years since we lost Mom, no, Dad? But we both know that she's happy wherever she is these days," I said with a smile and I saw her eyes twinkle by Dad.

"And always guiding us and just watching," he said with a smile.

"It's been eleven years, but your Mother is still here in my heart, Jam. She won't be lost," he promised and he softly stroked her chest. He seemed to be pointing to his heart.

So that's also one of the reasons why I'm more worried about Aling Sahara's feelings.

It is not forbidden to love someone...

"I still love your Mother Fei..." he said sincerely.

"Mother may have an angel of her beloved today, Dad!" I joked making his eyes widen.

"That's what I don't want!" I laughed out loud and at the same time Aling Sahara arrived with what we ordered.

Dad and I happily ate pancit canton with boiled eggs and cold soft drinks.

My name is Jam Kirsten Celestial, I'm about to turn 21 years old and I live with my great Dad, Jasper Celestial.

This is where the first chapter of my life begins...with my Dad.

To be Continued...