Every Step Away

ESA28

I left the Philippines two years ago, the exact day after we met with Ate Karisse. No one knows it. No one was with me, either. Si Daddy lang ang may alam ng lahat, pati na rin ang pupuntahan ko.

After I left, he made sure to erase my traces well. He has a lot of connections to do so.

Wala naman akong tinatakbuhan. I'm just scared that I can be easily found. I know the boys are young men, but I know they have their connections and names. Madali lang nila akong mahahanap kung gugustuhin nila.

It hurts me to do that. But I have to.

This had been the bravest decision I ever had and I will not regret doing this.

"Do you have food?" tanong niya saakin noong makarating kami sa apartment ko. Dire-diretso siya sa kusina, pamilyar na at komportable saaking tinutuluyan.

Well, totoo naman dahil dito siya tumitigil kapag bumibisita. Simula noong dumating ako dito, he celebrates New Year with me. Katulad ngayon. He's with his family for Christmas and leaves at the latter days of December to go here.

Bumibisita din siya tuwing birthday ko at tuwing gusto niya. I don't know, sometimes I'm just gonna find him in my workplace because of his surprise visit.

Noong una, awkward 'yon para saakin. But I saw him really trying to get close to me so I also exerted an effort to do the same.

It was like a dream to me and I'm very happy it turned out like this.

Kahit si Daddy nalang sapat na saakin. Kahit minsan ko lang din siyang nakikita.

I placed my coat in the rack and pulled Dad's baggage on a safer place, iyong walang makakabangga. I removed my shoes and put my fluffy indoor slippers on my feet before I proceed following Dad in the kitchen.

Nakita ko siya doon na may hawak nang tasa ng kape habang nakatitig sa harap ng ref kung saan naka pin ang aking mga drawing.

"You really got great skills," he said without glancing at me. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa mga drawings ko.

"Gee, thanks," I said and leaned on the sink.

Ewan ko ba kay Daddy. Nakita na naman niya noon yung iba kong drawings nung una siyang pumunta dito pero para bang bawat balik niya first time niya pa ding makita iyon.

He will still look so amaze and will stare at it for a long time until he realized, it's really my works.

Duh, not everyone in the family loves politics and business alone. I like drawing. Kaya siguro nagtaka sila noon kung bakit hindi pa ako graduate. Siguro nagconclude sila na tungkol sa business ang course ko.

Malay ko bang hindi sinasabi ni Daddy sa kanila ang course ko dati.

"Don't you really want to practice your profession?" tanong niya saakin.

Binawi niya ang tingin niya sa mga gawa ko at nilingon ako. I took that opportunity to open the refrigerator and get some water.

"Dadating din tayo don, Dad." sagot ko habang abala sa pagsasalin ng tubig sa baso.

"Why? Don't you want it anymore?"

Natigilan ako sa tanong niya. Unti-unti kong binaba ang pitsel habang nag iisip. I faced Dad again while holding the glass of water.

I love it. Hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa arkitektura. Araw-araw gumigising ako kasama ang iba't ibang ideya na maari kong buuin ulit. Tandang tanda ko pa din ang pakiramdam kung gaano kasarap makita na nasa unahan ko na yung dating ginawa lang ng imahinasyon ko.