Mr Bitter meets Ms Proper

NINE

"Akala ko ba gusto mong may makasama ka? Eh bakit nakatulala ka lang jan? Kausapin mo naman ako."

"May iniisip pa kasi ako!" Naku lang, hindi makahintay?!

"Ano ba kasi yang iniisip mo?"

Ang kanina ko pang iniisip.

"Papa ko."

"Oh bakit mo iniisip dad mo? Eh di ba nasa states sila?"

"Yeah, my foster parents."

"So you mean?"

"Yeah, I'm adopted. My mom died right after I was born. Nagkacomplicate kasi. Muntik na kasi ako malaglag nun kasi mom went into a car accident. Tapos sabi ng doctor na nasa 50'50 stage na daw kami ng mom ko. And its either na si mom yung iligtas or ako.

My dad chose me. Sabi pa nga ni lola na ilang gabi walang tulog si dad after niya permahan yung form na nagsasabing he is choosing me over my mom. I hated myself kasi kasalan ko kung bakit namatay si mom. So ayun nga. Isinilang ako and my dad took care of me. Until one day.."

flashback

"Dad, promise me ha na pupunta ka sa recital ko ngayon? Once in a lifetime experience ko pa naman yun.. And I wanted you to be there sa special moment ng life ko!" I was 8 years old. I was having my recital. Tutugtog ako ng piano. Dad enrolled me into music class kasi.

"I promise I'll be there! You have to reserve a seat for me. Gusto ko sa front at nasa gitna ako nang makita kita ng maayos at nang maicheer ko ang baby Jura ko!" He hugged me so tight and I hugged him back even tighter.

Nasa venue na ako. I asked my teacher to reserve a seat for dad.

I picked the front-center chair. Yun kasi gusto niya.

We had our last rehearsal bago magsimula na ang event.

Pumunta ako kay yaya and asked her if dad had called or texted man lang.

Yaya gave me the phone and she let me read the message from my dad.

From: Daddy Drew

        baby, malelate ng kunti si daddy ha. may meeting kasi si daddy at importante lang talaga, but i promise na darating ako. God bless baby, I love you.

Nagalit ako kasi he is choosing his job over me. Hindi ko pa kasi siya magawang intindihin. I was too young back then.

I replied.

To: Daddy Drew

        Daddy naman, ano? Dadating ka dito pagkatapos ng meeting mo? Eh wala ka nang madadatnan niyan?! You promised me na pupunta ka! I hate you so much!

A few seconds later. Dad called.

- Baby, huwag ka na magtampo. Daddy's coming na.

= Make sure aabot ka!

- I love you

And I hanged up.

5 minutes before my presentation. Wala pa rin si daddy.

And I saw someone trying to sit sa nireserve kong seat para kay daddy.

Tumakbo ako para pigilan yung lalakeng umupo.

"Jura, magsisimula na!"

"Sandali lang Miss, sasabihan ko lang yung manong na si Daddy dun nakaupo." Sabi ko sa teacher ko habang tumatakbo.