II
Pumasok si Leighton sa dating study room ng kanyang Dad. Everything is intact. Their governess made sure it remains spotless clean. Parehong ayaw ng mama niya at ni Morris na may itapon o alisin sa silid.
Lumapit si Leighton sa malaking oak desk. Isinandal niya sa gilid ang ginagamit niyang saklay at naupo sa swivel chair. He used to play here when he was younger.
Hinila niya palapit sa kanya ang isang may kalakihang music box na nakapatong sa gilid ng desk. He took out the key he got from the hospital. Isinusi niya iyon sa keyhole na nasa music box.
A sweet but lonely music filled the room as the compartment of the music box opens.
Dalawang lumang sobre ang nandoroon. Kinuha niya iyon pareho. Iyong mas luma ang una niyang balak buksan. May petsa sa sobre na kung tatantsahin niya ay noong siya ay high school pa lang.
Nang buksan niya ang sobre, may nakita siyang dalawang ticket ng Flight simulation workshop sa isang airbase. Hindi iyon nagamit at ngayon lamang niya nalaman ang tungkol doon.
He remembered one Saturday when his Dad doesn't want him to go to his usual Astronomy Camp. Hindi niya ito sinunod pero hindi rin siya um-attend ng Astronomy Camp. Umalis siya ng bahay at nagpagala-gala sa kung saan-saan.
Leighton ripped open the second envelope. It contained a letter with his father's handwriting.
Hi, my prince,
I don't know if I should hand this to my lawyer. I don't know if I want you to read it (it might scare you)... It's just me, waiting and trying to keep my mind busy.
I lived a good life. I made the best out of it. But I also made too many mistakes. I know I shouldn't be afraid of dying...
But you know... lying here in my sickbed... hearing the ticking of the clock... your mom's sobs... I am getting paranoid... waiting if you would come and see me.
But it's okay if you really won't come.
Soon, after I'm gone, I know you'll be the best pilot... ah, scratch that. You told me you wanted to be an astronaut...
Maybe... when that time comes, you've finally forgiven me.
Fly... my little prince... visit me on my asteroid.
Daddy.
"Stupid Dad... I lied and you actually believed it..." Leighton mumbled. Binitawan niya ang sulat ng ama. He covered his eyes with his hand.
May kumatok sa pinto. He immediately composed himself. "Pasok..."
It was his elder half-brother, Morris who entered. He is at his usual business attire with matching folder files at hand.
Pinansin ni Morris ang mga lumang sulat na nasa mesa. "Tapos na ba ang drama niyong mag-ama?" Mapang-asar ang tono nito.
"Shut up," balik naman ni Leighton.
"In case you want to know, he asked me to send you roses on dates both of you have arguments. He wanted to extend his apologies to his beloved son even after death. How touching."
Leighton crossed his arms. "And now that you told me about it, could you stop being an errand boy? I'm tired of getting rid of too many roses."
"Okay."
"Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo rito?"
Inilapag ni Morris sa harap niya ang hawak-hawak nitong folder.
