I vividly remember how my mother used to take me to work with her because she had no one else to look after me. As a result, I was often ill. Meanwhile, my father was busy sorting out his own personal life.

I suppose thats why I have no memory of my father. All I know comes from my mothers stories, sketches of a time when everything was all right before I came along. My father supported my mother, helped her with everything. But he lived with us for less than a year. As soon as I was born, he vanished. There were no mobile phones in those days, so my mother didnt know where to search for him. No one at his work had any clue about his whereabouts. My mother struggled terribly during that time.

She found a job, but with no one to leave me with, she took me everywhere she went. I remember how terribly cold it was in the room where she worked. I was sick often because of it. Later, I began attending nursery, and meanwhile, Mum found another job as a cleaner.

Money was always tight, but I saw how my mother toiled. She did everything for me. After Dad left, she made a choice to live for me. In time, I finished school and university, found a job, and now I help Mum whenever I can. I do everything to ease her worry. We never heard anything from my father all those years. Not once did he ask about me.

Then, one day, there was a knock at the door. Mum went to answer, and I heard a mans voice. I stepped out and saw an old man with a walking stick. Mum turned to me and said it was my father.

He cried and apologised, saying he was young, foolish, and terrified of responsibility back then. All these years, he had lived in town with another familya wife and a daughter slightly younger than me. But eventually, he began drinking, and his second wife threw him out. Now, in his old age, no one wants him. His daughter wont let him back into her home. His last hope lies with me and Mum. I have no idea what to do.

On one hand, he is my fatherIve waited so many years. But on the other, he abandoned us and returned only because he needed help. I chiefly feel for Mum. I dont want her to fret. She poured her energy and health into learning to live on her own. And now hes here. I told him I needed time to think. Mum stayed quiet, only saying it should be my decision.