Walking in the Wind (Valdemora Series #2)

Chapter 34

"No wonder why you look like me. You got my eyes, kiddo!"

"Yes po! And Mama said that I really look like you when my hair's longer."

Napatingin sa akin si Joaquin, nagtataka kung bakit iyon ang lumabas sa bibig ng anak niya.

"You cut his hair?"

Tumango ako. His attention went on Theo again. Hindi na katulad kanina na umiiyak. They're smiling.

Palihim ko silang kinunan ng litrato. It's a stolen shot but it turned out good. Ginawa kong wallpaper iyon bago napagdesisyonang maupo sa sun lounger.

He sat also to the nearest one while still carrying Theo. Hindi maialis ang tingin doon at parang hindi alam kung ano bang gagawin.

I forgot that he's a first timer. Hindi nga pala nasanay sa pag-aalaga ng bata kaya ganyan. He doesn't even know how to have a communication with him.

"You can ask him everything. Hindi naman nagtatampo sa'yo 'yan."

"I'm sorry. Hindi lang talaga ako sanay. I don't know what will I say."

I called Theo and then tried asking him everything. Mula sa mga paborito at kung anong bagay na ikinapareho nilang dalawa. He really listened and then never missed any chance.

"It's his birthday. You can greet him."

Saglit siyang natigil at tinignan ang relo. It's nearly twelve. Kaagad niyang binuhat at pumunta sa kung saan mas lalong kita nila ang dagat kahit gabi na.

Hindi iyon kalayuan sa akin kaya dinig na dinig ko ang bawat salitang sinasabi niya.

"I'm sorry for everything, Theo. I hope you enjoyed me having here, on your birthday. Just always remember that starting today, Papa will not leave you anymore. I'll stay. I won't leave you. I can now attend your upcoming birthdays, baby. Pasensya na kung nahuli ako. But Papa's grateful now for having you. I love you."

He said those while he keeps on brushing Theo's hair. Mas naramdaman ko ang pagmamahal niya kahit na simpleng salita lang ang mga iyon.

What if hindi kami naghiwalay o hindi niya ako iniwan? I'm sure he'll be the best father as ever. He can fulfill everything what he said before.

Alam kong gustong gusto niyang magkaroon ng kumpletong pamilya at hindi maranasan ng magiging anak ang paghihirap ng kawalan ng ama. Naranasan na niya kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit labis ang paghingi ng pasensya.

I'm at fault also. Pero hindi dahil ayokong makita niya ang anak ko. I mistaken him for having his own family. Na akala ko ay masaya na siya kasama ang iba, na may sarili na siyang anak.

Kaya hindi na ako umasa pa dati sa ganitong pangyayari. Nang dahil lang doon ay inabot ako ng ilang taon bago malaman ang katotohanan. The not so truth that I believed for years.

They talked and then keep pointing in the sky. There were stars and there's the moon. Naging saksi sa masayang pangyayaring hindi ko inasahan.

He kissed Theo's forehead until he fell asleep on his shoulders. Napatingin ako sa phone at tinignan ang oras.

Exactly 1 in the morning. Tumayo ako nang humarap na ito sa akin habang nakatulog na sa kanya si Theo. I gave him a smile and then I started walking back to the room.

Hindi na niya ako pinilit pang magbuhat kay Theo hanggang sa makarating kami sa room. Naabutan kong gising pa si Mavy kaya agaran itong tumayo, sinalubong kami.

"I'll just go out. Babalik ako mamaya." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, pinipigilan.

"You can stay."