Earth's POV
"HINDI KA NA NADALA'NG BATA KA! HINDI NA KITA MAINTINDIHAN! MAAYOS KITANG NAKAKAUSAP PERO BIGLA KA LANG GAGAWA NG MGA BAGAY NA AKALA KO NAAYOS NA NATING DALAWA! ANONG KLASENG PAG-UUSAP BA ANG GUSTO MO! SUMAGOT KA!"
Napabuntong hininga ako matapos uminom ng gamot. Habang dumadaan sa kabilang taenga ko ang mga sinasabi ni Pape tumutulo naman ang mga luha ko dahil sa pagkakaintindi ko ng mga salitang iyon. Kung makasigaw siya parang ako ang pinakasuwail na anak sa buong mundo. Mas lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko hindi lang dahil sa hangover.
Iniiwasan kong tingnan si Sandwich na nasa gilid ng kama ko pero bigla niya akong tinabihan at niyakap. I tried to push him but he keeps on hugging me. Mas lalo lang tumulo ang mga luha ko.
"Nakakapagod ka intindihin, Earth! Ano bang gusto mong mangyari!? Saan kami nagkukulang ng paalala, anak?! Saan!? Nakiusap ka sa aking gusto mong magbakasyon bago magsimula ang huling semester mo sa kolehiyo! Oh ito! Binigay ko! Lahat ng pakiusap mo sinusunod ko! Nakiusap kang sa Pilipinas magtapos bilang guro! Ayan na anak! Oh kaunting buwan na lang matatapos ka na! Nakikiusap kang pumunta sa kung saan saang lugar para tingnan kung tama iyang nakukuha mong address sa mga kakilala mo na alam kuno kung nasaan iyang si Mafi oh hala sige! Umalis ka! Anak binibigay ko-namin sa iyo lahat! Pero kami pagod na oh! Ikaw ba anak? Kailan ka mapapagod sa pagiging matigas ang ulo!" Napapahawak sa sentido si Pape habang sumisigaw.
I tried to look at Lolo but he just look away, holding his ring's finger in his right hand and slowly sigh. Alam kong may gusto rin siyang sabihin pero hindi niya lang nilalabas. Sa kilos at approach nila sa akin pakiramdam ko wala ng makakaagaw ng korona ko! Ako na! Tss.
"Ilang beses, Earth! Ilang beses ba!? Sa Pilipinas man o sa Washington o rito! Sa lahat ng lugar na pinupuntahan natin gumagawa ka ng kalokohan! This is Las Vegas, Earth! For goodness' sake! Wala kang kakilala rito! Kapag nabuntis ka ng kung sinong mga lalaki doon kagabi paano na!? Sino anak?! Sino ang lalapitan mo!? You are growing yet your decisions in life aren't! Sakit ka parin sa ulo! You are already 23, Earth! Ilang taon ka ba bago ka titino!?"
"That's enough, Erin."
"No, Papâ! Hindi ko na alam ang dapat gawin sa batang iyan!"
"I'll find you someone, iha. Okay?" Napatingin kami ni Pape kay Lolo dahil sa seryoso niyang tono. Nagpunas ako ng luha habang napapakunot ng noo. "I will talk to my business partners. Maybe they have grandsons or sons that are at your age. I will arrange business marriage for you. That's the only way for you to settle down." Kalmado niyang paliwanag.
Ito na nga bang sinasabi ko. Si Lolo ang pinakatahimik sa amin pero siya ang pinakapraktikal, matalino at magaling! Pero minsan hindi ko gusto ang mga desisyon niya. Noong una ayos lang naman kami. But I know I changed, and they changed, too. Hindi ko naman kasalanan eh.
"Tsk."
"What? What was that? You twitch your tongue infront of me!? Huh!" Lolo shouted and I head down. "If I didn't know the real and old you, iha? I will definitely kick you out in this house! Your attitude will not beat mine! Stop doing things that we hate the most! Stop proving to me that your father's words to describe you are all correct!" He shouted that makes me fear for a seconds. I tried to look at him and check him with my sight.
He is already 81 years old. Though healthy but still his age is not getting younger. Ayaw naming may mangyaring masama sa kanya. Lalo na ni Pape. Noong una pinapamanage nila ako ng kompanya raw ni Lolo rito sa US. Aba anong alam ko doon!? Umuwi ako ng Pilipinas at doon nag-aral kaya napunta kay Pape ang pagmamanage. Pero hindi rin naman siya ganoon kagaling kagaya ni Lolo.
Close ko naman siya dahil sa mga nagdaang taon. Pape, Lolo and Sandwich sila ang pamilya ko. Pero may mga bagay kaming hindi napagkakasunduan. May mga bagay kaming gusto na hindi namin makuha-kuha. Or should I think that, there is one thing I want but they didn't want for me. Ewan ko ba bakit nagkaganito. Okay naman kasi eh... Okay na. Okay na sana.
"Ate, say sorry na po..." Sandwich whispered. Napabuntong hininga ako at tiningnan ko si Pape at Lolo. I bite my lower lip and I bow. Escaping their angry glares.
"I-I am sorry po..."
"Sorry nanaman! Ito nanaman tayo!" Pape shouted with disbelief and irritation. Tiningnan ko sila at galit talaga sila.
"Apology accepted," Lolo immediately replied.
"Papâ?! Ganoon na lang iyon!?"
"Yes, Erin! Tapos na ang usapang ito!" Bakas ang banyagang accent na nakasanay ni Lolo. He eyed me, "You'll be getting married as soon as you graduated."
"Lo. Teka po," I shake my head and tried to talk.
"No more buts, Earth-iha! This is the only thing we can do to make you stop at your brat-like doings!"
"Of course not! There are a lot of ways, Lolo!" Hindi ko mapigilang sumagot.
"Like what!? Like giving you all the freedom you wanted!? We already gave it!" Nanggigil niyang sagot.
"That's it? That's all you think off? Ahh to remind you! What if you will going to help me find my boyfriend among these seven billion people in the world! Huh. What about that?"
"We'd helped you, Earth!" Sigaw ni Pape kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.
"You helped? So where is he!? You helped by letting me go! But you didn't help me with the best you can! If you think of the things that are best for me then do the best thing you can. I am not forcing you and ordering you to help me! I am begging all these time! But you keep on letting me just go and that's it! Pape marami kayong pwedeng gawin! Kung tinulungan niyo ho sana ako edi matagal ko ng nahanap si Pating! But no! Just because Lolo didn't like him!"
"And so, iha-apo? What now if I didn't like him for you and I will never let anyone help you to search for him!?"
"That's the problem, Lolo. You want me to get married? I am so sorry to say but I have my boyfriend and he is the only man I wanted to exchange 'I do's with. There I said it," I smile.
"You don't have boyfriend." Pagmamatigas ni Lolo na nagpamuo ng mga luha ko.
"I have! Hindi kami nagbreak! You knew it, Pape! Hindi kami nagbreak! He just disappear! Ah no! You two get me away from that hospital where he was with! And that's the real thing happened, right? Hindi na ho ako bata, Pape, Lolo! I can conclude things, deduce things and logically explained it! Nakakaintindi na ho ako kahit English pa iyan! You made me educated! And there you have me, now."
"A professional woman we wanted! Not just a brat lady who can't get over with her not-really-boyfriend's commitment if that's really a commitment you think of! This is your life now, Earth-apo! Not on that running and endless gunshots you had before! Not on the world that your father had given you! This is the better life we wanted for you! So live. With. It!" He struggled to stand from the sofa of my bedroom and walk out.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Pape. He sigh and look at me disappointment visible on his eyes.
"Let's talk properly if we are not on fire, the three of us." He said and walk out.
Tiningala ako ni Sandwich. Tumulo ang mga luha ko at niyakap niya nanaman ako. I push him away, "Talk to Lolo and make him calm for Ate, Sandy please?"
"O-opo, Ate." He stutter and move out, too.
Humiga ako ulit sa kama ng mawala na silang lahat sa loob ng kwarto ko. The blurry sight of me travels on my room. Kasing laki halos nito ang isang row house na bahay sa Pilipinas. Ang laki ng kama na may mga sosyaling kurtina. Lahat ng bagay sosyalin at kakaiba. Naninibago parin ako tuwing lilibutin ko ang paningin ko at papansinin ang mga gamit sa bahay namin. Kahit saan kami magpunta at kahit ano pang meron sa paligid ko lahat iyon kayang bilhin ni Lolo.
Unfortunately, I am not interested in any of these. Because once there is a man who told me not to be carried away from the shining things around me. No one knows what's behind it. Though the court had proven my grandfather not guilty, I am still not impressed by the wealth we have. By his wealth that he shared with us. I am impressed by his hard works, intelligence and determination. That is where I am shined at.
Kahit madalas kaming magtalo dahil sa mga bagay na hindi kami magkasundo lalo na sa bagay na gusto ko--sa kaso ng lovelife ko to be exact, hindi ko parin kayang panindigan ang mga sinasabi ni Pape. I am not a brat. It's just my actions told them to spilled it infront of my face. Hindi ko gaanong maipaliwanag ang sarili sa kanila kahit alam kong makikinig sila. Alam ko rin kasing malaki ang porsyentong hindi nila ako maiintindihan at gustong intindihin. Kaya kapag may lakas loob ako sumusuway ako. Kasi kapag sumuway ako may tiyansiyang gustuhin nila akong maintindihan.
And I wish they will be.
Hindi ko namalayan ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Everytime I am being like this I want to escape from the world. From the people around me. Pero alam kong hindi ko kayang mag-isa. Call me stupid, crazy and weird but whenever I feel like this I talk to his picture. Inabot ko ang cellphone ko sa side table at binuksan iyon. Kahit ilang cellphone ang dumating sa akin hindi nagbabago ang wallpaper ko. Home screen at wallpaper ko siya.
"Hoy... Ano na? L-limang taon na ah. Wala ka paring paramdam... What I mean is kahit anino mo wala! N-nasaan ka na ba kasi, Pating. Pasalamat ka... Matibay 'tong girlfriend mo." Napanguso ako at pinigilan ko ang mga luha'ng walang paawat.
I know he's not dead. We aren't dead by that accident. Kung ako nakaligtas dapat pati rin siya. I know he's alive, but the big question that I am still asking for five years is where the hell is he!?
Para na nga siguro akong baliw. Limang. Taon. Ng baliw.
Noong mga unang taon umaasa pa akong pupuntahan niya ako. Umaasa akong babalikan niya ako. The day after I was discharged at the hospital I waited for him. Masaya akong naghihintay sa kanya at umaasa. The people around me keep putting false hopes in me. Kasama sila Lolo at Pape. Halos dalawang taon akong umasa na isang araw babalik siya. Isang araw nasa tabi ko na siya. Sobra akong nasanay sa loob ng isang taon na magkasama kami. Nasanay akong anjan siya, na hindi niya ako iiwan.
Wala sa tagal ng panahon ang sukatan ng kahalagahan ng isang tao. Nasa mga pagsubok iyon na nalampasan kasama sila'ng mga naging totoo sa 'yo.
Hindi ako nagsisising nasanay ako sa kanya. Hindi ako nagsisising iniiyakan ko siya. Hindi ako nagsisising paulit-ulit ko siyang pinipili. Kaso nga lang nakakapagod pala... Isang araw nagising na lang ako sa ingay ni Pape at ni Lolo. Pape is convincing Lolo to tell me the truth. Pinapaliwanag ni Pape ang relasyon namin ni Pating at hindi against si Pape pero iba si Lolo. After years of believing in their lies, my eyes had opened.
Ayaw ni Lolo na makita ko ulit si Pating.
My smiles disappears. My laughs fades. My hopes turn in despair. Nasa kolehiyo na ako ng mga panahong iyon, nawawalan na ako ng gana at mas nahihirapan akong intindihin ang mga nasa paligid ko. I think of quitting school but my college bestfriends helped me and encourage me. Mula rin noon hindi ko na madalas kinakausap sila Ate Maecy, Ate Kurd, Kuya Daniel, Tito Golib at halos lahat sila! Malaki ang pagtatampo ko kahit alam kong biktima lang din naman sila. Nanghihingi ako ng tulong na magkita kami ni Pating pero hindi rin nila mahanap si Pating. It's not because they didn't tried, it's because the man we are searching for can't be found. Pakiramdam ko pinipigilan ni Lolo lahat ng pagkakataong magkita kami. Paulit-ulit niyang pinapaintindi sa akin na hindi lang si Pating ang lalaki sa mundo.
Yes, of course! He isn't. Pero isa lang si Pating na kilala ko. Isa lang siya kahit ilang bilyon pa ang bilang ng kalalakihan sa mundo.
What's left in me is Jai. Si Jai lang ang madalas kong nakakausap. Minsan naman si Iangot. Pero madalas namang ako ang iniiwasan ni Iangot. Naiintindihan ko ring nagiging busy na sila sa kani-kanilang buhay. Gusto ko sanang kumapit sa ni isa sa kanila pero pakiramdam ko ako lang ang bitter. I can see in their eyes how much they missed the old me. Na kapag kausap ko sila para bang hindi ko sila kilala dahil hindi na ako ang Earth na inaasahan nilang sasalubong sa kanila. I know the changes happened. And it is true that a person can be a reason for someone to change... Kapag ka siguro nahanap ko na ang sarili ko, hihingi ako ng tawad sa kanila at kakausapin ko sila. But for now? Staying away is the best thing to do.
I scroll my gallery and let my tears fall as I touch our image on the valentine's day we'd been together. Parang ang tagal na... Pero tuwing ibabalik sa akin ang mga ala-ala, parang kahapon lang.
'I miss them... I miss him.'
I know I'd changed. I know I did. At gusto ko ring mahanap ang daan pabalik. Pero nawawalan ako ng rason at gana. Gusto ko na lang gawin ang mga bagay na magpapaalis sa akin sa malungkot na reyalidad ng buhay ko ngayon.
At isa ang pagpapatuloy sa pag-aaral ang ginawa kong daan. I study hard and make myself proud. Nang makacompose ako ng isang English essay noong grade 12 ako gustong-gusto kong ipagsigawan ang achievement na iyon. Gusto kong ipakita kay Pating na marunong na ako. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na natuto na ako. Na magsisipag ako. Na hindi na ako gaanong magaslaw pero ako parin ang Clumsy niya... Sobrang taas ng pag-asa ko kaya sobrang taas ng binagsakan ko.
I ended up escaping the life I used to wanted. Iyong may pamilya at mga kaibigan? I have them but it feels like they aren't enough. Hindi parin ako nakuntento. Hangga't wala siya. Hindi ako makukuntento.
I search for him in three years. I still hope in three years kahit pa nagiging bulakbol na ang dating ko kanila Pape. I tried to put myself in danger just to see if he is around me and still ready to save me. Crazily I did, unfortunately I see no any shadow of him. Wala. Wala siya.
Kinakausap ako ni Pape tuwing hindi nila nagugustuhan ang mga ginagawa ko. Gumagastos ako para sa sarili ko kahit alam kong hindi ko pera ang ginagamit ko. Lolo spoiled me and let me do whatever I wanted. Pero kapag si Pating ang dahilan ko nagagalit na lang siya bigla. He will give me everything I want but not him-not my boyfriend. I appreciate Lolo and I love them. Masaya akong malaman na may Lolo ako, na kahit nawala si Ulan may mga kadugo akong muli kong nakilala.
But as time goes by, I feel still incomplete. And I definitely know why.
I turn my phone off and close my wet eyes. Thoughts drown me again and again. Inactivity depressed me, totally. I want to go out and move! I want to do something to make me happy! Namimiss ko na ang mga kaibigan ko sa Pilipinas na dinadaig si spongebob sa pagiging istorbo.
Patuloy akong lumalaban sa pansarili kong digmaan. Kahit gaano katagal akong maghihintay sa kanya at makikiusap sa sarili kong naliligaw na. Kahit gaano katagal akong lalaban... His Clumsy is a fighter. And I will always be.
Pape's POV
"Papâ..." Panimula ko habang hinahaplos ang buhok ni Earth. Natutulog na siya at natigil kakaiyak. I silently watch her until she feel asleep. Saka ko sinama si Papâ sa loob ng kwarto niya. Nasa sofa siya at nakatingin din kay Earth. "I want to show her the best thing we can do that she talked about awhile ago."
"I am still against at that man, Erin."
"I know, Papâ... Pero hanggang kailan natin pahihirapan si Earth? Hanggang kailan tayo magtitiis na makita siyang ganito? Isa lang naman ang alam kong dahilan kaya siya ganito, it's because of Mafi. Your granddaughter loves him. I told you that hundred times! Papâ naipaliwanag ko naman na sa inyo kung sino si Mafi. He is not just a man that passes by to Earth's life."
"He is, Erin. He is just a passersby to my granddaughter's life. And that's it. You know, too why I am being like this to her. I want to be strict because I love her. Erin, I thought I don't have a family anymore. But then one day our path crossed. And I will never let anyone take you away from me! And that is exactly my reason... My granddaughter being with that man is a huge mistake! Being with that man will put her in danger. And I don't want to be scared everyday thinking about her safety if they are with each other. You understand?"
"Papâ, it's fine already. It's already been five years. And that dangerous world had gone. Ano pa bang kinatatakot ninyo?" Naguguluhan kong tanong. Hindi ko na siya maintindihan. Kung noon dahil lang hindi safe ang maging kasama si Mafi at dahil sa isang agent ang Lolo niya ay ayaw niyang ipakaibigan si Earth dito. But the moment he know about their relationship and Mafi's background he become totally against him.
Pero matagal na iyon. Lagi ko siyang binibigyan ng balita tungkol sa pagbabagong nangyayari sa mundo. The small things that makes the world safe makes me smile, but this old man isn't. Sarado ang isip niya sa mga pwedeng maging rason para pumayag siya kay Earth at Mafi. Naiintindihan ko ang pagiging istrikto niya dahil bukod sa amin wala naman na siyang ibang kamag-anak, pero dahil doon hindi na niya nakikita ang apo niya ng maigi. Hindi na niya naiisip ang nararamdaman nito.
I don't know at where should I be sided. I understand both side. Pero ang matagal na pagpapahirap na ito sa anak ko ay hindi ko na rin maintindihan.
"Kinatatakot kong mawala kayo sa akin, Erin..." He stated seriously without even looking at me and still his sight focus on my daughter.
Earth moves and her eyebrows frown. Umungol siya at napansin ko ang pagpapawis ng noo niya. I instantly touch her shoulder when I saw her shaking her head while sleeping, "N-no! No! Pating! No! I said stop! Lo-lolo, please... No..."
"Anak! Anak! Earth! Wake up!"
"Lolo! Stop! Please! Pating! Pating!"
"Anak! Earth! Wake up!" I shouted and shake her shoulders but she keeps on shouting and her closed eyes started to show wetness. Papâ concernly walk towards us and started to join me waking her up. Pinalo niya ang binti ni Earth habang niyuyugyog ko naman ang mga balikat niya, "Anak!"
"Apo! Wake up!"
"Noo--Haaah!" Habol ang hininga'ng napaupo ang anak ko. Namumutla ang mga labi niya at tumatagaktak ang pawis niya. I tap her shoulder and caress her cheek but she continue to cry. Hugging her knees and closing her eyes. Napahawak ako sa sentido dahil sa nakikita ko. "I will get some water, anak."
I stand and look at Papâ, he immediately replaced me beside Earth. Dahan-dahan kong sinarado ang pinto ng kwarto saka ako bumaba para kumuha ng tubig.
When I got back I saw Papâ hugging my daughter, and my daughter hugging him back. Tipid akong ngumiti ng makapasok ako ng kwarto ulit. Papâ gently wipe Earth's sweat. I walk closer to them and I handed her the glass of water. She smile before drinking.
"You had a nightmare." Panimula ko. She gulped the water and hold the glass tightly. Dahan-dahan siyang tumango at tumingin sa Lolo niya. When I look at Papâ I saw how his expression shows sadness. Kanina habang nag-uusap kami ay naiinis siya. Pero bigla na lang nagbago ang ekspresyon niya.
"Ayos lang po ako, Pape..." She smile and her tears started to run again. "Pape... Lolo... Sorry po." Napayuko siya at hinawakang maigi ang baso. "Pasensiya na po kung lagi ko kayong pinag-aalala. Susubukan ko pong ayusin ang sarili ko. Pasensiya na po. Pasensiya na..."
"Anak..." I move closer to her and hug her, "Naintindihan ka namin, 'nak..." I kiss her temple, "Sorry rin si Pape, anak. Sorry... I love you, Earth-iha."
She immediately hug me back, "I love you po, Pape. Sorry po."
My anger melts. Though I had heard these thousand times I feel not tired in hearing these from her. Paulit-ulit siyang nagsosorry sa mga nagagawa niya pero hindi ko naman din magawang matulungan siya para matigil siya sa mga bagay na hindi namin gusto para sa kanya. The case is she keeps on saying sorry and keeps on doing the same mistakes because we are being strict and not giving what she wants. Nagsasalita lang naman ako dahil gusto kong ilabas ang galit ko at ang pag-aalala sa kalagayan niya na hindi ko kayang alisin sa sarili ko.
She's my only baby girl, and I will do everything for her.
Hahanap ako ng tiempo para maayos na ang bagay na ito. Kung kailangang araw-araw kong ipaliwanag kay Papâ ang mga bagay na naiintindihan ko para kay Earth gagawin ko.
THE NIGHT falls and it's time for us to rest. Nakaschedule na bukas ang pagbalik ni Earth sa Manila. At ang pagbalik namin ni Papâ at Sandwich sa Seattle. Sandwich is my adopted son. After his grandparents died because of sickness, Earth always wanted to take care of him. At first she is happy to be with him. Pero kasabay ng paggawa ng kalokohan ni Earth ay ang pagkabuhay ng guilt sa dibdib niya dahil sa nangyari kay Sandra, sa mama ni Sandwich. Hanggang sa inilayo niya ang sarili kay Sandwich. But I know my daughter, Papâ know her granddaughter and Sandwich know her older sister... We know the real her and we are always here waiting for her to be back.
"Pape." Napalingon ako sa boses ni Sandwich ng papasok na sana ako sa kwarto ko.
"Anak, bakit gising ka pa?"
"I can't sleep, Pape. Can I sleep inside your room po?" He smile while holding her pillow tight. At his age of nine he looks so fine and firm. Smart and approachable. Kapag si Earth ang kasama niya mabilis niyang natututunan ang mga bagay. But he needs to study and Earth as well. At dahil pinili ni Earth ang Pilipinas ay naghiwalay sila. Dito sa Washington nag-aaral ng elementary si Sandwich. But I am planning to move him back to the Philippines when he is in high school.
"Of course, anak. Get in. I'll get you some milk, okay?"
"Opo. I'll be waiting, Pape!" He immediately runs inside my room and I tap his head.
Bumaba ako sa kusina at nagtimpla ng gatas. Inaantay kong kumulo ang mainit na tubig ng mapansin ko ang pigura ng kung sino na papalapit sa kinaroroonan ko. Sinilip ko ang tao at inangat ni Papâ ang kamay para ipaalam na siya lang ang tao'ng napansin ko. I frown.
He walks inside the kitchen, too and signal me for another cup of milk. Umupo siya sa isang upuan ng six-seater dining table. Tahimik lang siya pero alam kong kapag ganyan siya ay malalim na ang iniisip niya.
"It's late already. What's bothering you?" I ask while getting another cup.
"Her nightmare, Erin..."
Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at tiningnan siya. He shrugged her shoulders and slap the table. Bakas ang kaunting lungkot sa kanya at nangingibaw ang... guilt.
"What's the matter? She told you her nightmare?" I ask curiously. Sakto namang kumulo na ang mainit tubig. I move faster and pour the glasses. Agad kong nilapag ang gatas sa harap ni Papâ. But he didn't move it and just stare at it.
Inaantay ko siyang magsalita at dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang tingin sa akin, "Erin-iho..." He started. His eyes looks disappointed. "Am I doing the wrong thing?"
"P-papâ... Why did you asked that to me?"
"Yeah, why I am asking you. It was just... J-just... In her nightmare... I am the wicked grandfather between her and that Em..."
"His name is Mafi, Papâ."
"Who ever he is! I feel guilty, Erin. She cried to me and told me how scared she was in her nightmare."
"She scared to you? Because you are taking Mafi away from her?" I asked. But he shake his head.
"No... She is scared in losing me... Losing the both of us. Because in her nightmare I made her choose if Mafi or me. But she didn't choose any of us and so I pointed the gun in my head and she keeps on begging me not to do it. When I point the gun to Mafi she is also shouting and begging. I can see how much she's scared on that..." Nahihirapang magkuwento si Papâ. He tried to restrained himself from crying, I can hear it from his voice. "Thinking of it as she narrated it to me makes me feel bad, Erin."
"You are just being the strict grandfather."
"Because I love her. And I am scared to lose her in any way possible. Once I lived in a danger and I almost die in fear. I am old, Erin... I want to live the rest of my life with my family. With the three of you... I didn't even make much time for my first wife and to my girl, Jexy... I miss her. I didn't protected her, I am far from her... I lost her. And I didn't want the same thing to happen with my granddaughter."
"Papâ, I am sorry... Pero kahit naman ho nandoon ka pareho lang tayong walang magagawa. Hindi nakayanan ng asawa ko ang paglabas niya kay Earth... We can't do anything about it."
Napayuko si Papâ at natahimik. "And she die without even talking to me. Or saying goodbye. Earth is the only gift she left for me. And I am making sure that I am treating her with the best care I can give... But... She said we are not giving our best for her."
Napayuko rin ako at para na kaming mga binatang heartbroken sa dining. Naguguluhan ako lalo. Gusto kong panindigan na tama si Papâ dahil kahit ako rin naman noon natatakot kay Mafi na makasama ang anak ko. Pero hindi eh! Natanggap ko na ang bagay na iyon at wala na akong problema kay Mafi at Earth.
'If Minji and Lean will be here... Maybe things will be explained clearly and they will help me to convince Papâ...'
"I don't know now, Papâ. We love her. We are showing that to her but she thinks that we didn't."
"She saw our love, but she looks incomplete. Maybe our efforts are not enough."
"And for it to be enough, we need to help her to be with Mafi." Agad kong dugtong. Pero napabuntong hininga siya at naipatong niya ang siko sa mesa saka seryosong nagpangalumbaba. He looks like an old smart man.
"I can't..." He replied. Napayuko ako. "But I want to try."
Napaangat agad ako ng ulo at nanlaki ang mga mata ko,"P-papâ?"
"Call my private investigator. I want an update before the sun rised up... Find Mister Em." He slowly said emphasizing every words with his huge and scratchy voice.
"Mafi, Papâ. His name is Mafi." I corrected him with a nod.
"Whatever his name is... I want to meet him, again."
"Y-you really do? I mean are you okay now with him and Earth!?"
Bigla niya akong sinamaan ng tingin. Napalunok ako ng laway at agad kong ininuman ang baso ng gatas ni Sandwich. Umiwas agad siya ng tingin at hinawakan ang baso niya.
"I am not still okay for the both of them. But I'll try... I'll test him. And if he fail? I will surely find someone for my granddaughter to married. And that's final."
"A test? Aba! Ha! Sisiw la-ang ya-an kay Mafi! Ala eh! Hahaha! Nakakatuwa ala eh! Parang dati rin eh pinagluto at pinaglaba ko ang binatang iyon eh! Pero hindi pa sila noon! Ala eh ang gusto ng batang iyon maging bodyguard parin siya ni Earth hahaha! Aba'y nagtagumpay! Ako ay natalo hahah! Kaya Papâ, aba~ Sayo ko ala eh sasabihin ito---Goodluck! Buhahahah!"
"You're making an annoying accent, Erin. May gatas ka pa sa labi, iho. Better sleep early." Kalmado niyang pamumuna na nagpainsulto agad sa akin. Napahipo ako sa labi ng bigla siyang tumayo at naglakad palayo. Dahan-dahan man ang lakad niya dahil sa katandaan eh parang gusto ko pa siyang patulan. Halata sa pananalita niya ang mga pinag-aralan.
Napanguso ako matapos punasan ang bakas ng gatas sa labi ko. Sinilip ko ang baso ng gatas ni Sandwich, "Ngee! Nangalahati ko?" Nagmamadali akong nagtimpla ng panibago at inubos na lang ang nauna kong gawa.
'Inaantok na ako bigla. Ugh! Mag-eemail pa muna ako sa private investigator ni Papâ. Mahirap na, baka magbago isip.'