More Than Just A Kick

Chapter 22

Meeting My Dad

I am still on a shock state, I couldn't process how did my father learned English when I didn't even hear him speaking it with us. How did he keep it from us that he can speak English? Susunod na ba ang Tagalog? Maiintindihan niya na ba kami? So many questions in my head that I couldn't figure out.

"Who are you?" My Father starts to interrogate him, sa isang matigas na Ingles. He's still not good on pronountiation but he can fire a question just like that.

I am familiar with this kind of situation. Ngayon nga lang ay si Stephen naman ang nasa hot seat. Katapat ko si Stephen at katabi ko naman si Rouge na katabi ni Dad. It's like Stephen seating alone at wala pang katabi at kakampi.

"My name is Stephen Kennedy. I was born—"

"Are you pursuing my daughter?"

"I am about to start tomorrow." Stephen say honestly.

"Are you not in a relationship?" Paglilinaw ni Dad.

"Yes, we're not."

"What do you like about my daughter?"

"At first, I notice her because she was the champion in Taekwondo tournament back in Paris two years ago. But right now, I don't what I like about her. I completely just like her. I like everything she have whether good or bad." Narinig ko na ito nang paulit-ulit pero bakit yung pakiramdam na nasa tabi ko si Dad nang magsabi siya nang ganito ay bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko?

"I know that your answer is good," Syempre praktisado niya na sa akin iyon, lihim akong napangiti sa aking isip "but still I won't approve you to pursue my daughter. You're not allowed to be near her, to talk to her or even approach her."

"Dad—" Singit ko dahil gusto kong sabihin na si Stephen ay partner ko sa Special training.

"Not until she graduates and find her own job."

"I understand, Sir. I will not pursue her for the mean time. But sir, I have a request." Nakikita ko sa mga mata ni Stephen na nagdidiwang siya pasimple akong umirap sa kanya.

"What is it?"

"Please allow me to be her instructor and partner in our special training." Paliwanag ni Stephen sa isang seryosong histura.

"If that's the case, I will test your strength and endurance. Rouge will kick you a hundred times—"

"Dad!" Halos pasigaw ko nang sabi.

"I can do this."

"And you shouldn't defense yourself."

"Dad." Tumingin ako kay Dad nang may paawa sa mukha ko.

"Okay. Make it only fifty kicks but hard and real." Akala ko magiging madali na lang ito dahil nag-Iingles naman si Dad pero hindi ko akalaing torturin niya talaga si Stephen.

Nagsimula na si Rouge nasipain siya sa labas ng dining area namin na kung saan may damuhan doon. Iyon kasi ang pinagsasampayan namin. Hindi ko magawang tumingin sa kanya kaya tumalikod ako sa kanila. Tahimik at walang reaksyon mula kay Stephen pero sa bawat pagsipa ni Rouge ay maririnig ang malutong natunog galing doon at sa pagtama nito sa katawan ni Stephen.

"That's for breaking my rule, kid." Sambit ni Dad matapos ang pagsipa ni Rouge. Humarap na ako sa kanila. I quickly check on Stephen's body but its just relax. Marahang umupo na si Stephen sa upuan at ganun na rin kami. "That's what you've paid to be her instructor. I now allow you to be her instructor."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir."

"I have an eye on you Mr. Kennedy." Banta ni Dad at tinuro si Rouge.