Mahaba ang naging byahe. We're already outside the city premises at ang daang tinatahak namin ay papunta na sa countryside.
I asked Theo to get in touch with Exrel. I asked a favor to get some information about someone's location. Ilang oras lamang ang inabot para makuha niya ang lead at ibigay ang impormasyong nakalap niya kay Theo.
Sa daang tinatahak namin ay naging kakaunti na lamang ang mga kabahayan. The nocturnal creatures were making noises heard in our passing car. The city lights were already gone at ang tanging naging liwanag sa daan ay nagmula sa mga street lights ng kalsada.
Makalipas ng ilang oras, we arrived at our destination. He stopped the car at the roadside. Sa bandang kaliwa ng kalsada ay may malawak na palayan at sa kanang parte ay sa kalayuan, may nag-iisang mansion.
"Papasok ba tayo?" tanong niya but I shook my head.
"Just wait here, this won't take long..." I said before leaving the passenger seat and close the car.
Maliwanag ang daan patungo sa mansion. There are lamps at the pathway sides. The area is vast and for sure, it's tranquil to live in here.
Nang dumating na ako sa tapat ng pinto, ang akala kong hindi makararamdam ng kung ano ay nasira dahil sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko ngayon. I heave a deep sigh before deciding to press the doorbell.
Nakailang pindot ako doon bago ko narinig ang pag unlock ng pinto mula sa loob. For sure, he already knew that I'm the one who's here because of the peephole.
Gulat ang nakarehistro sa mukha niya nang tuluyan ng buksan ang pinto at makita akong nasa harap non. Even I would be shock if the person who hated me will be in front of my house door.
"A-anong ginagawa mo rito? H-hating gabi na ah?" hindi makapaniwala nitong tanong at dumungaw pa sa likod ko para tingnan kung may kasama ako.
"I-i... uhh..." hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. It seems like I lose my words as I came in front of him.
"Pumasok ka muna..." aniya at pinagbuksan lalo ako ng pintuan.
The ambiance inside the mansion is dull. The faint orange light from the chandelier above even added in it's look.
"Maupo ka muna riyan sa sala. Ipagkukuha kita ng maiinom. May gusto ka bang kainin? Pasensya na... wala ngayon ang mga kasambahay kaya't wala ako ritong naihandang luto ng pagkain..." At nagmamadali siyang tumungo sa isang lugar na ang hula ko ay ang kusina.
I look down and just stare on my shoes. Hindi ko malaman kung ano bang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I'm confused by the emotion I have now, I fail to know what exactly it is.
"Here... have some." at ipinatong niya ang dalang hot cocoa drink at isang piece ng cake sa platito.
The coldness outside made me crave for the drink that's why I instantly have a sip on it.
"Eve... paano mo nalamang dito ako nakatira? At bakit ka ngayon pumunta, sobrang late na..." he asked.
Wala akong maisagot dahil sa katunayan, hindi ko rin alam ang rason kung bakit ako pumunta rito. I grip tightly on the mug and just stare at it's content.
"Pinagpabukas mo na sana. May araw pa naman... tsaka paano kung mapano ka? Alam mo namang may sakit ka..." he worriedly scolded.
Sa paraan ng pagkakasabi niya ay tila ba hindi lingid sa kaniya ang malala kong kondisyon... but after hearing those words and by the way he said it in a bit of a scolding, my heart feel swayed for some reason. It feels like I found something that I've been longing for a long time.
Bumuntong hininga siya at inilapit sa tapat ko ang cake na inihanda niya nang hindi pa rin ako sumasagot.
"Bakit? May nangyare ba? May problema ba?" kalmado na niyang tanong na mas ikinayuko ko. I can't explain why but my eyes shed tears once again.
"P-pa... hindi k-ko na kasi a-alam gagawin ko..." garalgal ang boses na sagot ko.
After some years, this is the first time I called him my father eversince that conflict happened... and the feeling now is nostalgic and filled with longingness.
"Tell me... what is it?" he tapped my back and caressed it. Hindi ko na napigilan ang bugso nang damdamin.
"P-pa... naaksidente s-si Darlene... n-niligtas niya ako k-kaya siya ang n-nabunggo...m-malala lagay niya P-pa..." I said in between my sobs.
Walang naging sagot si Papa at hinimas himas lang ang likod ko. That gesture of him seem to give me permission to tell more and rant everything that's heavy inside my chest.
"P-paolo's gone... then another p-person so special to m-me will be t-taken again... b-bakit? B-bakit nangyayare tong lahat???" I held my head out of frustrations.
"Everything happens for a reason. Kung hindi mo man maintindihan ngayon, siguradong sa hinaharap, malalaman mong lahat ang kasagutan... just be a tough lad. This is a trial that will test how brave you are... Alam kong kaya mo, that's how I knew my son..." he calmly said and shake my other shoulder.
"D-dad... I love her... and i-it hurt so bad... it h-hurts that I can't take it..." I sob louder and cover my both palms at my eyes.
"She'll be okay... trust her. She will fight for you and for the people who's waiting for her recovery. I know that..."
I hum and nod. Paulit-ulit akong tumango habang pinapagaan niya ang loob ko.
"I'm sorry... it's just too p-painful..." i uttered nang medyo gumaan gaan na ang pakiramdam ko. I wipe off my tears with my palm and keep looking down.
"Whenever I-i'm hurt and crying... mom was there for me... and if she wasn't around... you'll do it in place to her..." bulong ko and chuckle a bit.
"Yeah, I remember those times..." natawa na rin siya habang inaalala ang nakaraan.
"So now... i'm hurt so bad... and I wanted to see someone whom I can run into once again just like before... Sorry for disturbing you this late... it's just I n-need my father n-now..." I whispered.
No words came from him and I just felt his warm hug. He's crying that's why my tears fell down again.
"T-thank you... you don't know h-how much it means to me. It r-really made me happy... T-thank you f-for letting me b-become y-your father again..." aniya sa gitna ng paghikbi. I nod and hugged him back.
I miss this feeling, to have a parent who's caring for you. The love of a mother might be unconditional and can't be measured, yet the same with the love of a father that makes you feel secured and protected.
"Pfft.. go on. Kainin mo na 'yang cake. Your cocoa drink might get cold. Finish it already..." he reminded before breaking the hug and patted my head.
I did what he said. Inubos ko ang binigay niya. After crying my eyes out, I feel hungry and dehydrated.
Ilang minuto ang lumipas, may nagdoorbell sa pinto and when my father opened it, it was Theo.
Halos isang oras rin kaming nanatili roon bago napagdesisyunang bumalik sa ospital. My father asked me if he can visit. Pumayag ako dahil gusto niya ring makita ang kalagayan ni Darlene.
The next day came. Nang buksan ko ang mata mula sa pagkakatulog ay bumungad na kaagad sa paningin ko si papa na abala sa pagbabalat ng mansanas.
"You're finally awake..." he said at inilapag na sa mesa ang platitong may lamang mansanas.
I lean my back against the headboard of the bed nang maupo ako ng maayos.
"Am I that early? Kakabisita ko lang rin sa kaibigan mo..." aniya na may pag-aalinlangan sa tono dahil wala akong naging tugon.
"Did you came here once? I feel like I have a glimpse of memory... that you're peeling an apple here... o baka... baka panaginip ko lang..." at first I'm asking but then it came that I'm talking to myself.
He chuckle at inabutan ako ng mansanas.
"I came here so often, hindi mo lang napapansin. Darlene let me enter here, kapag tulog ka lang... I'm also the one who's bringing you apples and peeling 'em..." aniya.
I chuckle in amusement. Hindi ko inaasahan na ginagawa pala iyun ni Darlene.
"She's reminding me as well... about the sort of conflict we had. She's hoping that we... make it up..." I look down and rub my nape.
"Morning..." Theo greeted after opening the door at pumasok ng walang pag-aalinlangan.
"Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit nakuha niya ang puso ng anak ko..." wika ni papa na nagpainit ng mukha ko.
"Ohh... inamin na ba niya tito?" usyoso ni Theo bago kumuha ng buong mansanas sa basket.
"Yeah, last night he confessed it..." sabay ngisi ni papa.
"W-will you both s-shut up..." I hissed but they continued talking like I'm not in front of them.
"Ohhh... kung hindi pa siya umamin siguradong ako ang manliligaw kay Darlene..." then he smirked at me.
"Yeah knock it off Mr. Piss the Pants..." I fought back which made him frown.
"Kaya pumasok sa mansion dahil may mga naririnig na kaluskos sa paligid, imagining like those scenes from horror movies..." I added na mas ikinalukot ng mukha niya.
"And how about you Mr. Crybaby? Iyak ng iyak sa papa niya..." ganti niya na ikinahalakhak ni dad.
I glared at him but he just stick his tongue out, pissing me more.
"Kung ipagpapatuloy mo pa pagiging indenial mo, aagawin ko na lang sa'yo si Darlene..." he seriously stated that made my brows furrow.
"Then be the best man win..." hamon ko na mas ikinangisi niya.
"Huh... no thanks. Bakit ko pa siya ipaglalaban kung alam kong nasa iba na ang puso niya? It's a waste of time, isn't it?" and he nonchalantly yawn.
Naiiling na lamang na nakinig si dad sa naging usapan namin. He continued peeling the other apples while smirking.
Ilang minuto ang lumipas, dumating naman si Professor Jed. He said that he have something to tell to dad alone kaya't inimbita niyang lumabas muna ito.
"After the talk, I'll be leaving..." paalam ni Dad bago tumalikod.
"Pa..." tawag ko bago pa siya makalabas. Huminto siya at nagtatakang lumingon.
"My next chemo will be next week... h-hope that y-you'll come..." I uttered, quite enough for him to hear.
He smile warmly at me and nodded bago tuluyang umalabas kasabay nina Professor Jed at Theo.
I smiled in relief and look at the clouds. Pakiramdam ko ngayon ay may malaking tinik na nabunot sa dibdib ko.
End of Chapter 43:
A pathernal love