Walking in the Wind (Valdemora Series #2)

Chapter 32

"It's the only coffee that I have."

He opened it while I'm still finding the words that I'm gonna say to him.

Anong uunahin ko? Kumusta? May pamilya ka na ba? Maayos ba buhay mo pagkatapos mo akong iwan?

Do you still love me?

Halos lahat nang iyon ay nasa isipan ko pero walang aprubado sa akin, lalo na iyong huli.

I forgot that he left me because he has no feelings anymore and got tired though we haven't started our relationship formally.

Paano ako magkakaroon ng tapang na tanungin sa kanya iyon kung iyon ang naging rason niya para tuluyang makawala sa akin?

"Joaquin--"

"You're not used on calling me that."

I cleared my throat.

"Iyon ang sabi mong pwede kong itawag sa'yo noon. I'm just following your rule."

His lips parted, out of words and then closed it again like he forgot what he said.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago inipon ang lakas sa sasabihin ko. This is for my son, for his birthday and for the sake of his rights as his father.

Kahit sa ganito man lang ay magawa ko para sa birthday niya. We're on the same place, breathing the same air and stepping on the same floor.

Ang gusto ko lang ay maging masaya ang anak ko. That's it. Seeing my child smiling while having his father on his special day is the priceless moment for me.

Pagkatapos noon, pwede na siyang bumalik sa kanyang pamilya. Okay lang naman ako basta mapasaya ko lang ang anak ko.

"Alam kong may pamilya ka na at ayokong makasira ng relasyon o anuman. Actually, masaya na rin naman ako. We're now both happy on our lives and I think that was the best part of leaving me. You made me realize that I can be happy without your presence. I stood alone and raised the source of my happiness now."

Napansin kong mataman na itong nakikinig sa akin. His hand turned into a fist but I never paid attention on it. Mas lalong nangunot ang noo niya sa mga sinasabi ko.

Well, I didn't invite him here to reminisce the past. Parte lang iyon ng pagsasalita ko sa harapan niya.

"Uhm... I know that you're busy with your family so I now apologize if I consumed your time for being with them instead of having me here. May hihingin lang sana ako sa'yo." Nagulat ako nang biglang inis nitong sinapo ang noo saka tila naghahanap ng hanging pwedeng mahingahan ng maayos.

He caressed his perfect jaw and then stood up, now looking down at me. Mas lalo kong napansin iyong malaki niyang katawan na nasa harapan ko at tila handa nang manapak sa kung sino man.

Does he have a problem? Bakit ganoon kaagad ang naging reaksyon niya?

"Ano... sorry kung naistorbo ko ang oras mo na dapat kasama ang pamilya--"

"Who the fuck told you that I have a family, huh?!" His voice roared which made me jumped a bit. Napahawak kaagad ako sa dibdib nang magulat sa naging lakas ng boses niya.

He's standing and yet here I am, sitting and then holding my chest like I am facing the beast now—no, I am facing the devil. The hot headed devil.

When he saw me, his face softened and then went back sitting again. Naroon pa rin ang inis sa mukha niya pero hindi na katulad kanina.

"Now tell me. Who told you that I have a family?" Napaatras ako nang ilapit niya iyong buong couch sa harapan ko. He carried it like it was just a light thing. Inusog ko ang upuan pero inusog niya rin palapit sa akin ang couch.