Whelving Warmth (LAS #1)

07

Whelving Warmth
Chapter 07

"Ms. Esquivel?"

My eyes were on the car's window but my thoughts were somewhere else. Bahagya akong nagulat ng tawagin ng driver ni Daddy.

"You were saying something, Kuya Paulo?" I asked.

"Hindi pala kayo nakikinig, Madam," he laughed awkwardly. "Sabi ko ho kamo andito na tayo. Nasa loob na po ang daddy niyo, kanina pa nag-iintay."

Pinasundo ako ni Daddy kanina. Tawag niya ang nagpabalik ng diwa ko matapos ng usapan namin ni Theo. He told me that we're going to meet someone today.

I wasn't able to note everything he was saying because of what happened.

My guilt is eating me up.

I only did what I think is right but why does it feel that it was wrong?

For just one day, I said hurtful words to two people. Yvette and Theo. Both because they were showing their concern over me.

Hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang mukha nila.

That was so not me. Yes, I'm cold most of the time but I am never rude. I don't hurt people.

Mali ba yung ginawa ko?

Pilit kong tinatabon ang nasa isipan habang papalapit sa table kung saan nakapwesto si Daddy. We are in one of our hotel's restaurant. Nakikipagtawanan siya kasama ang dalawang lalaki at isang babae na kasing edad niya.

Napangiti ako. It had been a while since I saw him laughing like that.

"Oh, there she is," my father said while smiling at me.

Sinuklian ko siya ng ngiti at binigyan ng halik sa pisngi ng makalapit.

"Is that Sariah already? It seems like I'm looking at Tala," the man exclaimed. He called my mom Tala, so they must be close. My mom's real name is Tallulah.

"Diba? When she was born, inasar ako ni Leah kasi kahit konti walang nakuha sa akin," my father carresed my back upon saying that. "I can't help but to miss my wife more every time I see her."

"Tala really left you a gift, Dave," nakangiting sabi ng nag-iisang babae na sinang-ayunan naman ni Daddy.

"She's all that I have. I promised on Tala's grave that I would give only the best for our daughter"

"Buti nalang mukha lang ang namana kay Tala. Sariah looks well-behaved," puna ng isang lalaki. "Tala is crazy. 'Wag niya sana ako multuhin mamaya, but I can still remember her tricks to be with Dave before"

Nagtawanan lalo sila habang inaalala ang nakaraan.

"Don't say that to my wife. She's just playful," pagtatanggol si Daddy kahit natawa rin naman.

"Yeah. That's one of her qualities why our friend here, fell in love with her madly," sabat naman ng isang lalaki.

I just sat there beside my father while listening to their stories. I learned that they were my father's friends in college. Nabanggit nila na magkakaklase sila dati. Ninong ko pa nga raw ang isa sa kanila.

Nalibang ako sa mga kwento nila. Pero higit sa lahat masaya ako kasi nakita ko kung gaano kasaya si Daddy sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kaibigan niya.

I excused myself to go to the comfort room when I felt the urge to pee.

Pagkalabas ko ng cubicle ay nakita ko si Tita Diana. She was washing her hands in the sink. She smiled at me sweetly when she saw me.

"Sariah," patawag niya sa akin.