Always You

47

Hindi ko sinabi kay Zeke na kakausapin ko si dad ngayon. Ang alam niya, bibisitahin ko si ate Maica sa bahay nila para kamustahin. I have to tell my dad once and for all that I will never leave Zeke, and that I will fight for him. Sa tingin ko, kaya hindi ko maipaglaban si Zeke sa iba dahil mismo sa pamilya ko ay hindi ko magawa.

Ilang beses kong pinag-isipan and I decided to talk to dad without him. Sa tingin ko kasi, kapag makita ni dad si Zeke ay mas lalong itong magalit at baka maulit na naman ang nangyari noon.

Ate Maica told me that me that they are temporarily staying at her resthouse in Rizal. Mabuti rin kasi iyon kay dad habang nagpapagaling, pati na rin kay ate, na nagluluksa pa rin hanggang ngayon.

The househelper guided me to their lanai, where dad played with Mica.

“Dad.” I acknowledged him.

Tiningnan niya ako at sinabihan si Mica na pumunta muna saglit sa mommy niya, and told me to sit down.

Kinamusta ko muna siya at sinagot na man niya ako. Then, he asked me about Polaris, kung kamusta na ito at kung napapatakbo ba ito ng maayos.

“Polaris is doing great, dad. We had another closed deal recently”, I said.

“How was the security then? Mahigpit ba ang pagbabantay sa’yo?”

“Ok naman”, mahigpit na man ang security. Thank you for recommending Dale’s team”, I answered.

“Enrico’s still hiding. Huwag tayong pakasisiguro.”

Then there was silence.

"I heard you argued with Ramon."

He looked at me, waiting for my answer.

Umiwas ako sa titig ni dad.

“I just couldn’t take it when he insulted Zeke infront of everybody.”

I heard him sighed deeply.

Napalunok ako. I need to have courage to tell him now. But how? Papaano kung aatakihin na naman siya sa sasabihin ko?

“You don’t need to do that. Hindi gawain ng isang Wong ‘yan”, he scolded me.

I’m lost for words right now, mukhang hindi ko kayang sabihin kay dad.

“But I’m glad that you’re making a difference in the company”, he added. “You’re doing a great job.”

That was the first time I heard him complimented me. Though I find it uncomfortable, I can't help but be happy about what he said. Bihira lang kasing gawin niya iyon.

Wala na akong masabi. Ayaw kong sirain ang mood ni dad ngayon. It would be insensitive of me to just tell him about my decision of staying with Zeke, knowing na kakalabas lang niya ng ospital.

While waiting for lunch, I taught Mica how to paint. I can see her potential to become a painter in the future. Masayahin siyang bata, malambing at hindi mahirap turuan, at naaaliw ako sa kanya. Nakikita ko rin na aliw na aliw si dad sa kanya. I thought if magiging masaya rin ba siya kapag nalaman niyang buntis ako.

Ate called our attention at pumunta na ng dining room. Ang daming niyang inihandang pagkain.

“I know you like steaks, so I ordered”, she told me while setting the food on the plate. “But dad, bawal sa’yo ito”, she reminded him. “Sayang at wala si Tony, favorite pa naman niya ito.”

I smelled something unusual, and felt nauseated. Hindi ko na maiwasang mapaduwal nang makita ko ang medium-cooked steak, na medyo mapula-pula pa nang hiwain.