Missing Puzzle Piece

11: Problem Solver

PRIMO

After Asher’s dad called and disrespected him, I’m enraged, but I didn’t let Ash see that. I will make a way for tito to learn his lesson. Sinamahan ko munang makauwi si Ash at nang makarating na kami sa bahay ay nagpaalam ako sa kan’ya na may aasikasuhin ako sa kompanya.

Ash and tito aren’t close, so as me. Everytime that I’m at their house, Ash is happy. I can see that in his eyes. Maybe he has everything that he wants, but it’s not enough for him. It will never be. I know that the missing piece in him is love. The love that he never received from his parents for they just care about themselves, to please everyone but Ash. How ironic.

I can relate to Asher’s feelings right now. Dad doesn’t love me anymore. It’s because of mom. All of our heartaches are because of her. Everything has changed because of her. Now, dad drinks a lot. He made himself drunk every night, and that’s because of her! I’m all alone, but Ash is here, so I will do everything just to get his life back.

I drive myself to their house. I will confront his father. I’ll take the risk. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan at diretsong pumasok sa bahay nila. It’s not the same anymore. Noong pumupunta pa ako rito dati, the place is very welcoming since Ash is still here, pero lahat ‘yon ay nagbago.

“Sir Primo,” pagbati sa ‘kin ni Yaya Merly. Nginitian ko naman s’ya. Yaya Merly was Asher’s babysitter. Actually, parang si yaya na nga ang mommy niya, e. She’s always there for Ash and me. Lumapit ako sa kan’ya at yumakap.

“Yaya, I missed you,” nakangiti kong sabi sa kan’ya. Yaya Merly is one of the puzzle pieces that came to our lives who didn’t belong but still fit perfectly. She is the perfect replacement for tita as a piece.

“Bakit bumalik ka pa rito? Kumusta naman si Sir Ash?” nag-aalalang tanong nito. Siya ang nagpalaki kay Ash kaya ganito na lang s’ya kung mag-alala. Kung si Manang ya man ang nasa kalagayan ni Yaya Merly, I’m sure she will be as concerned as hell. Naupo ako sa isa sa mga upuan habang magkaharap kami.

“I’m here to talk to tito. By the way, don’t worry about Ash. He’s safe with me,” paninigurado ko at tumango naman s’ya habang nakangiti. Miss na miss niya na si Ash, kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para makabalik s’ya rito.

“Nasa pool si Sir Patrick,” sabi ni yaya saka itinuro ang lugar kung nasaan ang pool.

“Salamat, ya. Sana magawan ko ‘to ng paraan,” sabi ko bago ako tumalikod sa kan’ya at tahakin ang pool.

I saw tito, swimming. Lumakad ako palapit sa kan’ya. He sensed me and looked straight at me. Tumigil s’ya sa paglangoy at tinitigan ako ng masama.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. I frowned at him. He has the guts to ask me that? The answer is very obvious.

“I’m here to talk to you,” I muttered. Letting myself breathe deeply. I need to calm down. For Ash.

“What for?” he replied. Hindi ko alam kung pinapatagal niya lang ang usapan o talagang nagtatanga-tangahan s’ya?

“He is your son. Don’t hurt him like this,” I said firmly. Huminga ako ng malalim. I’m a short tempered person, and I need to control myself kung gusto kong madaan sa maayos na usapan ‘to.

“Correction, he was,” he exclaimed. It hit me. Biglang nag-init ang ulo ko. Is he really a father? Parang kakaibang ugali naman ang mayroon ‘to. Gano’n na lang ba talaga kadali magtapon ng anak?

“Tito, are you crazy? For the sake of money, you’ll deprive your son of his happiness? His freedom to love whoever he wants to? Hindi n’yo na nga s’ya inalagaan, e. Pinabayaan n’yo s’ya! You are all selfish!” I exclaimed. Nakita kong may lumapit na guard sa akin. Maybe I’m being too loud. Mapapansin ko ba ‘yon, e, parang baliw ‘tong kausap ko?