Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 38: In His Eyes

It's been a month when Kirby died. I tried my best to be strong, because I didn't want my daughter to see me unhappy everyday. But there were times that I was crying at night whenever Shekinah was asking me about his father, because it reminded me of my failed relationship with his father. Habang lumilipas ang mga araw mas lalo kong nararamdaman ang sakit lalo na't kapag may pagkakataon na nakikita kong naglalaro si Shekinah nang mag-isa. She deserved to have a father, but I couldn't give that to her. It's a big failure for mother who wishes all the best for her child.

Napatigil ako sa pagtutupi ng mga damit ko sa kama nang marinig ko ang sigaw ni Mommy sa living room. Dali-daling lumabas ako ng kwarto at tiningnan kung anong mayroon at sumisigaw si Mommy.

"Demi!" she was calling me.

Nakita ko ito na humahagulgol habang nakaupo sa sofa at hawak-hawak ang cellphone niya. Mabilis na nilapitan ko siya at inalo.

"My, anong nangyari?" nag-aalalang tanong ko rito.

"Naheart attack ang Daddy mo, sinugod siya sa hospital!" she said while crying.

My eyes widened in shock, until I just found myself crying with her.

***

Dad got stroke and was in a comatose. He was now confined in the hospital. Napakalaking pera ang nagastos namin dahil doon. Halos maubos na rin ang ipon nila sa bangko, dahil noong may leukemia pa ako, sa pagpapagamot ko rin nawaldas ang pera nila.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyayari, at bakit sunod-sunod ang problemang dumarating sa akin. May ilang araw na halos hindi na rin ako makatulog nang maayos dahil sa sobrang pag-aalala.

"May I talk to you for a while?" Mommy told me while were having our breakfast. Shekinah was still sleeping in the bedroom.

I nodded.

"Alam kong wala nang pag-asa na maisalba ang business na sinimulan muli ng Daddy mo. Kaunti na lang ang perang natitira sa atin, pero sapat na 'yon para iinvest sa ibang kumpanya."

"I'm not into business, My. I don't know where to invest that."

"Invest that in Hunt Company."

Napatigil ako at tiningnan siya nang hindi makapaniwala. I thought they hated the Hunts?

"Nahihiya akong manghingi ng tulong sa mga kamag-anak natin, dahil alam kong hindi naman nila tayo matutulungan. Para sa Daddy mo, handa akong lunukin itong pride na mayroon ako. Ayaw kong mapunta sa wala ang mga pinaghirapan namin ng Daddy mo sa mahabang panahon."

"But how, My? You know what happened to me and Dylan."

"He's still your daughter's father. Kahit man lang diyan may maitulong siya sa 'yo. You have his child."

"P-pero, My, ayaw kong malaman niya ang tungkol kay Shekinah." Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng mga mata ko.

She heaved a sigh. "Hindi mo naman sasabihin sa kanya ang tungkol kay Shekinah. You told me that you two were best friends, right? I'm sure he won't turn you down."

I didn't respond.

"Demi, please?"

I just stared at her.