Dear Dumpling (Wala na, Finished na; Completed)

Chapter 9: Not An Afterthought

Dumpling,

Pinakita ni Pipette sa akin yung mga nakakahiya kong ginawa para ligawan ka. Yung mga photoshopped picture mong parang si Queen Elizabeth na napapaligiran ng mga corgi. Hahaha...hay. At yung sulat nang pag-amin sa iyo. Binasa ko ang ilang piling bahagi ng masterpiece kong iyon, at naluha ako: (uncensored version above)

"I like you. Maybe even love you."

"I can't say exactly why. But I know exactly when. When you squeezed that squeaky toy, I realized then and there. I like you."

"You're a quirky person. Always, err, mostly positive. You have your serious moments. And the best thing I could do under those circumstances is to back off and not push myself, and you. You're a strong person, independent, confident."

"I fell for you because I thought you felt the same way too. Giving me cookies, a cake, and hugs. I found out from my lifecoach that you were just naturally like that."

"I have come to realize that we are very different people. You love being fueled by coffee, while I hate it. You have many friends, I only have one. What is important to me is not important to you, or not that important to you. You have experienced life, I have not. Because of these differences, I find it difficult to open up to you. I try my best to make even the smallest talk, to no avail. Not even a reply to a simple 'good night'."

"But I appreciate your support for me for my choices so far. And for assuring me a safe space. For this, I am grateful."

"May we do something together? To be honest, may we go on a date? If not, I can understand."

"May we at least be friends?"

I still smile remembering how I feared this letter would not work. Embarrassing, but it's straight to the point and honest.

Di katulad nang nangyari kay Aki kanina.

May masayang balita siya sa akin kanina. Sa wakas, makakasali na ulit siya sa isang patimpalak na may kinalaman sa sports. At yung paborito niyang volleyball team pa ang makakasama niya. Nagbigay na sila ng alok sa kanya.

"Tagal ko na ring inantay yun Dad," galak niyang sinabi.

Napaisip ako. Teka, dalawang taon na siyang nag-aapplay doon ha, "Bakit ngayon lang?"

"Di ko alam Dad e. Baka na-realize na rin nila na may maaambag ako sa kanila."

Baka tama nga si Aki. Sinamahan ko siya sa lahat ng tryouts ng team na yun. Ilang training at volleyball camp na rin sinalihan niya. Napansin na nga siya ng ibang teams, pero nag-defer siya. Humingi siya ng abiso sa akin. Sinabi ko sa kanya, i-consider niya yung ibang offer para makakuha siya ng experience. Pero di ko makumbinsi. Anong magagawa natin kung ayaw talaga? We just have to respect others' choices.

"Ano daw magiging position mo?"

"To be determined daw po e."

"Nakapagdesisyon ka na ba?"

"Opo, dad. Pero di ko pa po sinasabi sa kanila."

"Bakit naman?"

"Gusto ko po ng advice niyo."

"Okay, Aki," nagbuntung-hininga ako, "I'm worried."

"Why, Dad?" Napakunot-noo siya.

"Nagpalit ba yung coaching staff?"

"No."

"Yung players?"

"No."

Sinearch ko yung team. Ang unang result, binalitang nag-mass leave ang maraming members. Mga minor lang ang role. Protesta sila dahil binabalahura sila kumpara sa mga star player at di sila binibigyan ng pagkakataong idevelop ang kanilang mga skills.

Nakalagay pa sa article na kung di mapupuno yung slots sa team, madidisqualify ito sa patimpalak. Pinabasa ko ito kay Aki.

"I know, Dad. I'm scared. But I think I'm more scared about losing this opportunity."

"Aki, please decide carefully. You are not an afterthought, and you should not be treated like one. They can't even name what role you'll play."

Napalitan ng lungkot ang mukha niya at umupo siya sa tabi ko. Sabay pa kaming nag-research tungkol sa mga isyung bumabalot sa dream team ni Aki.

Hindi pa sigurado kung magpapalit si Aki ng desisyon. Ang sigurado, nandito ako para tulungan siya, kung gusto niya.

Sige, dumpling, tutulog na ako. Hanggang sa muli, mahal.

Dad

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Version 1.0, 30 March 2020