Dear Dumpling,
Magugulat ka kung ano sinabi ni Burette kanina sa family meeting. Nung una, lahat kami di makapagsalita. Pati ako. Di ko alam ang susunod kong hakbang. Papagalitan ko ba siya? Uusisain ko kung bakit niya napagpasyahang gawin yun?
I do not want to berate Burette. After all, she is old enough to make these types of choices. She does not need my permission. And I will not treat her like a child or throw temper tantrum or play psychological games to force her to change her mind.
"Bakit mo naman gustong gawin ito, Burette?" Tanong ni Crucy.
"I want to try something new, Ate. I'm curious. I want to experience both the glitz and the darkness."
Nagpatuloy si Crucy habang nakahalumbaba, "What you want to do isn't for the weak. Even your personal life may be exposed."
"Ate, alam ko. I'll have to bare my all."
"And it's going to hurt, and not just physically. I'm sure you know the emotional and psychological turmoil involved."
"Oo, ate, nag-research ako."
"Mapagsasabay mo ba med, coaching, at...ito, Burette?" Nakakunot ang noo ni Pipette.
"Magagawan ng paraan, Ate. Di ko naman ito palaging gagawin. Mga tatlong shoot pa lang ang nakapila para sa akin."
"Alam ba ni Gino ang balak mong gawin?"
"Oo, Ate. Sinabihan ko na siya."
"What did he think?"
"Okay lang daw sa kanya."
"Burette, alam mong hindi legal ang gagawin mo, di ba?"
Naiinis na ang tono ni Burette, "Safe naman yung gagawin ko e. Will take all precautions. I freely agreed. Don't I have the choice to decide for my own body?"
Sa wakas, tinanong din ni Aki ang inaasahan, "Burette, anong sasabihin ng mga tao? You're an ex-skater, an ex-Olympian, a public figure."
"Ikaw din naman a," malapit nang pumitik si Burette. Nagbuntung-hininga siya. Akala ko nga sasabog na siya e. Pero nag-antay muna siya ng ilang segundo. Pumikit ng mata at nagbilang hanggang sampu. Tapos naging mabagal at mahina ang boses niya. "Hayaan natin sila, Aki. Di naman natin pinapakialaman ang buhay nila. Besides, I'm not going to harm them."
Huminga siya ulit ng malalim, "And I'm not going to harm you. You're family. I love you, guys."
Malaking tulong siguro na sila ang pinaka-close sa magkakapatid, kahit na dati silang magkatunggali sa yelo. Ice rivals. Hehe. Kaya nakapagpigil si Burette.
"Dad," mahinang tawag ni Burette.
"Yes, anak."
"I don't know if you agree with my decision. You've been quiet this entire time."
"Anak, hindi mahalaga kung payag ako sa pasya mo o hindi. I have no veto power over you. But that does not change the fact that you are my daughter. And I will always support you and have your back, no matter what you choose. Kung kailangan mo ng tulong ko sa papasukin mong mundo, abisuhan mo lang ako. Handa ako para sa iyo," dahan-dahan kong sinabi kay Burette bago ko siya niyakap.
"We'll be here for you," sabi ni Aki. Nagyakapan ang close na magkapatid.
"Hey, me too," dagdag ni Crucy.
"Ako rin, bunso," sabi ni Pipette. Tinapik ng mga ate ang likod ni Burette.
"Thanks, guys," nakangiti na si Burette.
"Dapat front row kami ah," banat ni Aki.
Tawanan kaming lahat.
Hindi ko alam kung papayag ka sa naging pasya ni Burette, dumpling. Pero pinalaki ko namang maayos mga anak natin. I'm confident with whatever they choose. And I will always support them, just like how you supported me.
I love you, good night.
Dad
---
Version 1.1, 3 October 2020
Previous: 1.0, 30 March 2020
ΔΙΑΒΑΖΕΙΣ
Dear Dumpling (Wala na, Finished na; Completed)
ΡομαντικήA young person's release from the frustrations of reality in the form of his dreams. That is the greatest tragedy. At least it also functions as a guidebook. Story in Filipino, with human-language English translation ongoing. --- Isang paraan para m...
