What Makes Life Divine│Valiente #1

CHAPTER 23

     "Come here," she said.

     Nangunot ang noo ko. Lumingon ako at umawang ang labi ng makita si Papa. He was looking at me before he gave me a tiny smile... or it was a melancholic smile? I was so confused that I felt a sting on my finger. I groaned.

    "Ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko! Dapat talaga ay 'di na kita pinapahiwa! Ang lakilaki mo na pero nasusugatan ka pa rin!" Saway ni Yaya bago ako hinila papuntang lababo. I chuckled at her reaction. "Tawa tawa ka pa? Tatawan kita kapag daliri mo na 'yung nahiwa!"

    Natawa pa ako.

    After she cleaned my finger ay nilagyan niya ng bandaid. Pinatingin niya na lang sa akin kung kumukulo na ba 'yung tubig or hindi. Tapos siya na ang naghiwa. I pursed my lips when I saw my parents talking.

    They were calm, not arguing. Pero kahit na ganoon... I don't see love. I don't see sparks. It was just like two people talking.

     I guess... wala na talaga?

    I sighed, smiling. I pursed my lips before keeping my eyes on the boiling water when Mama called me again.

    "Po?" I asked. I can't look at Papa for some reason.

    She smiled. "Tinawag na kita, 'di ba?"

    My lips parted, her eyebrows raised. I smiled awkwardly bago ako lumapit sa kaniya. My father was literally infront of me. But I can't look at him. I was avoiding his presence.

    She smiled. "Maguusap kayo ni Arnaldo."

    My eyes widen. "What?" I asked she just nodded. I know I have to look at my father for confirmation but I just can't do it. Nalukot ang mukha ko at pasimpleng umiling habang nakatingin sa kaniya. I whispered, "Ma..."

    Nangunot ang noo niya. What? Was she thinking that I'll jump out of excitement after I heard that he had doubts about me?

    "Magusap na kayo," 'yun lang ang sabi niya bago niya kami iniwan ni Papa. I gulped before clearing my throat.

    I looked at him and he gave me soft smile.

     What is this? Guilt?

    "Abreu," he called before holding my shoulders.

    Nangunot ang noo ko at nagiwas ng tingin para tumingin kay Mama at Yaya. Mama was showing Yaya a paper. I couldn't hear them, but I'm sure I read Mama's lips saying, "DNA."

    My lips parted before looking at him again.

   I gulped. I whispered, "Po?"

   He smiled apologetic. "I'm sorry..."

   I pursed my lips before nodding. I whispered, "For being too harsh? It's okay po..."

     His lips parted.

     I forced a smile. "Uh... I d-didn't mean it to sound bitter—"

    Bahagya siyang natigilan pero natawa rin na parang may biglang naalala. "It's okay..."
   
    I flashed at tiny smile. "Ano po 'yung pag-uusapan?"

    He sighed before smiling. "What do you want? Papa didn't have a birthday gift on your birthday..."

    My lips parted.

    He was smiling.

    "I'm sorry for being an idiot—"

    Tumango ako habang pinupunasan ang nagbabadyang mga luha. "It's okay..."