'My husband never
cared for our daughter'

Dear Tita,

My husband Dante had always been a selfish and mean person. But I was so much attracted to him that I failed to see his faults until it was too late. He was such a good actor when he was courting me - loving, caring and thoughtful. I became madly in love with him and when he proposed, I gladly accepted even though I knew I didn't really know too much about him. All I knew was that he was the man I wanted for my husband.

We were happy during the first few months of marriage. We were both working and enjoyed being together. But after a while, Dante became bored with married life and often began staying out late with his friends. On weekends, he went out of town with them, leaving me all alone. I tried to understand him as I didn't want to spoil our relationship by nagging. He changed drastically, especially when he began to gamble and lost a lot of money. Because of his poor performance at work, he was asked to resign. This made him worse. He would come home drunk and take out his anger on me, blaming me for the bad things happening to him. He kept telling me what a big mistake it was when he married me. I was so miserable and unhappy. I never thought that he would turn out like this.

When I found out that I was pregnant, I thought it would change his attitude. How wrong I was. He became so angry and even accused me of sleeping with another man. I told him he was the only man in my life, but he wouldn't listen. He even told me to have an abortion. It was then I realized what a terrible person he was. I wouldn't do as he said and so he abandoned me, leaving me all alone and pregnant. It was the worse time of my life. Fortunately I still had a job and I kept working until my last month. After I gave birth to my baby girl, Pinky, I had to sacrifice so much just to be able to survive. I vowed that I would give her a good education no matter what.

The years passed by and by sheer determination and luck, Pinky was able to finish her course. She found a job and was quickly promoted to a higher position because of her excellent performance. Her salary enabled us to have a nice house and a comfortable life. I felt so grateful to have a wonderful daughter like Pinky.

Out of the blue, her father Dante showed up. He looked so thin and old. He told me he was now all alone as his live-in partner abandoned him. He heard about our good fortune and now he wanted to see his daughter. He said he had missed us all these years. I didn't believe him one bit. I suspected he only showed up as he wanted Pinky to support him. He is such a good actor that he convinced her that he cares for her. She even feels sorry for him. Now he wants her to send him money every month. I never told my daughter about her father asking me to abort her. Should I tell her everything now?

UNCONVINCED

Dear Unconvinced,

You have raised a very good daughter. She is now an adult and it's time she hears the truth about her father even if it hurts. He has the gall to show up and ask for help from the daughter he wanted you to abort! This man is so sly! He is now trying to convince her that he loves her. Where was he all those years when she was growing up?

Did he even care to write her a letter or send her Christmas and birthday cards? Did he even care whether his daughter lived or died?

By all means tell Pinky the whole truth. If she still wants to help him after hearing everything, then by God! What an exceptional person she is. Bless her magnanimous heart!

TITA

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