Catmint Series 2: Engr. Finn David Vernon

Chapter thirty four

"Mommy, stop!"

Malia's high pitched laugh echoed on the four corners of the wall as I continued kissing her weak spots. Kanina pa s'ya kiliting-kiliti at tawa nang tawa.

"Ang sarap ng tawa, ah?" Sabay kaming lumingon sa pintuan at iniluwa no'n si Finn na bagong ligo. I let Malia go to ran towards her dad. Kaagad naman s'yang binuhat ni Finn at hinalikan ang sentido.

"Daddy, we will be going home now?" Malungkot na tanong n'ya. "I still want to swim on the ocean."

"Babalik naman tayo, mahal ko," sagot ni Finn sabay upo sa tabi ko. "Pero ngayon, maiiwan tayo ng eroplano. Gusto mo ba 'yon?"

Malia shook her head. I stood, and prepared milk for Malia. Mamaya ay kakatok na sina Dasha at aalis na. Today's our last day in El Nido. Natupad na ang matagal na pangarap ni Dramos noon. I could remember the times he told us to have a vacation in Palawan. Nagkandaloko-loko nga lang ang lahat kaya hindi natuloy. However, I'm happy that I got to travel now especially with Malia. Mas naenjoy ko ang El Nido.

"Kumain muna bago umalis," saad ko habang nagtitimpla ng gatas. Nagdala talaga ako ng supply dahil hahanapin n'ya 'to lalo na kapag hindi makatulog.

"Mommy, what bread is that?"

"Spanish bread, nak."

"Spanish...?" Bumaba s'ya mula sa pagkakayakap ng tatay n'ya para pumunta sa akin. She cutely pulled a chair and sat on it. Sumunod naman si Finn sa kanya at humila rin ng upuan. "What is Spanish, daddy?"

"Ah... Spanish? Spanish is a word where you use to describe a food. Kunwari... ano... the spaghetti spanish na." He even made some gestures. Tinaasan ko s'ya ng kilay nang mukhang hindi naintindihan ng anak namin. "Tawa naman diyan, nak. Effort 'yon eh."

I raised my fist when he looked at my direction. Turuan ba naman ng mali ang bata. Ngumuso s'ya at binigyan na lang ng pagkain si Malia.

"Daddy, are you frowning?"

"Wala," maktol na sagot n'ya. "Hindi mo man lang tinawanan. Ayos lang. Sino ba naman ako para maging funny."

Ginulo pa n'ya ang buhok n'ya. Malia might have noticed that something's wrong kaya tumayo s'ya at lumipat ng pwesto nito. He sat on her dad's lap and showered him with kisses.

"I love you, daddy," my daughter innocently said.

"Mas mahal na mahal kita." Napangiti na rin nang malawak si Finn at kinurot ang pisngi n'ya.

The somehow melted my heart. Seeing this father-daughter moments made me happy. This time, it wasn't a dream anymore. Kahit pa iba na ang buhay namin, masaya pa rin ako na hindi na hanggang pangarap lang na makakasama ng anak ko ang tatay n'ya.

Simula pa kanina, hindi na bumitaw-bitaw si Malia kay Finn. She was hopping her way while holding her dad tight as if Finn would go anywhere. They were also in their matchy color wear. Finn with white and blue striped turn-down collar with short sleeves shirt and Malia in a light blue dress. Magkatabi naman kami ni Dasha, both had bags on our back. Sina Dramos ayon, busy sa mga ka-team nila.

"Ang ganda nilang tignan 'no?" Dasha muttered, nudging me on the waist. Napangiti naman ako at napahawak sa buhok kong tinatangay ng hangin. "Masaya ka ba, Aveen?"

"I am," I replied. "Kuntento na ako, Dasha. I mean, yes, I wasn't able to get the things that I wanted back then. Hindi natupad ang mga plano ko noon pero hindi ko inaakalang mas magiging masaya pa pala ako kahit na hindi ko nakuha ang mga gusto ko dati."

"And it's because of Malia, right?" Nilingon n'ya ako kaya napangiti ako sa kanya.

"Eh, ikaw? Kailan mo balak?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya. Excited na rin akong makita ang magiging anak ni Dasha. Naiimagine ko pa lang, natutuwa na rin ako. Hindi ko man madalas sinasabi o pinaparamdam pero hangad ko rin ang kasiyahan nila. They were there for me through my hardships, they helped me raised my daughter, and I want to do the same when it's their turn already. I'd be glad to help.