The Hidden Flaws - Bicolana Series #1 (COMPLETED)

Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Birthday

Hindi pa nagsimula ang trabaho ko, nakausap ko na ang tatay ni Jonas. It wasn't what I expected to be. He was more calm. It is awkward and I am really sweating bullets. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako pa ang kinakabahan ngayon. Siguro dahil hiyang-hiya ako sa nagawa ko noon sa kaniya sa hospital habang namatayan siya ng sariling anak.

"I know that what happened to your mother deserves justice. Hindi sapat ang paghingi ng tawad ko o kahit ng asawa ko. But in behalf of her, I really am sorry. The truth is, I knew for the longest time what happened. She didn't tell me but I knew. Kaya ganoon na lang ang tulong ko sa mga magulang mo, akala ko mababawasan man lang ang guilt na nararamdaman ko kapag ganoon ang ginawa ko. I was wrong but I didn't want Minha to suffer."

Tumulo ang luha ko dahil sa sincerity ni Sir Olivan. I saw in his eyes that he really loved his late wife. Naalala ko lang din si Mama at Papa. Ganito rin nila kamahal ang isa't-isa. Although to them, integrity comes first. Pero hindi naman nangyari ang ganito sa kanila kaya't hindi iyon naging pagsubok. Pinalis ko ito agad para hindi niya mapansin.

Alam kong he can't justify his wife's mistakes but I had compassion for all of them. At siguro, natanggap ko na rin lang na malupit talaga ang nangyari sa'min. Alam kong kailangan ni Mama ng hustisya. Naiintindihan ko rin kung bakit hindi sinabi ni Sir Olivan ang totoo. Pati si Papa, naiintindihan ko siya.

I don't know what to do next...

Nasa loob kami ng office ni Sir Olivan sa sarili nilang kompanya. Nakaupo kaming lahat sa sofa, kaharap ko si Sir Olivan at katabi ko naman si Jonas ngunit mayroong space sa gitna namin. He finally uttered words. Wala na kasi talaga akong masabi.

"Let's just talk another time, Dad. She's exhausted. Kakabyahe niya pa lang at iyon na ang nalaman niya."

Sir Olivan nodded his head lightly. Nakakunot ng kaunti ang kaniyang noo. His hair was fixed just like his son's. I wonder where is Jonathan right now...

"You're like your mother, Annalistica. I also apologize for the cold shoulder back then. Naaalala ko lang ang nangyari kay Minha at Theresse noong nakita kita. Honestly, I was afraid for her."

"I-I'm sorry po for what I did in the h-hospital, Sir. It was-"

He smirked. "It's fine. I can take a hit, right Jonas?"

Umiling si Jonas sa kaniyang tatay at humalakhak naman ng kaunti si Sir Olivan habang hinahatid kami sa labas. Mayroon pang tumawag kay Jonas kaya't naiwan akong kasama si Sir Olivan habang naglalakad palabas.

"Uhm... I'm sorry po for what happened to Tita Minha."

"She handled too much, Annalistica. And I-I regret that I couldn't helped her." He took a deep breath. "Iyong pagkukulang ko sa kanila, gusto kong ibigay iyon sa mga anak namin ngayon. I was late I know, but I will really try to."

"I think you are not that late, Sir. Nakikita ko naman pong nagiging maayos na kayo ngayon ni Jonas."

"My son and I, we weren't close before. I am a disciplinarian kaya lahat sila, takot sa'kin. I wasn't a good father but I tried my best. But you know, I learned that being a father is a work in progress. Now that we're finally okay, I'm happy. I'm also happy seeing him happy with you." Sabay naming tiningnan si Jonas habang kausap ang isang staff na lalaki. "Look at him. He looks very confident and strong. But when he's still a kid, siya ang pinaka mahina sa kanila. Parang mas may sakit pa 'yan kesa kay Justin. I trained him to be strong in all aspects of his life. Whatever I did, I just want the best for him."