MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO HAVE A DADDY.

Chapter 4.

"Pancakes taste good, especially when it has honey on it. Pancakes taste good, yes it is! I love pancakes." kumakantang patalon-talon si Eyra habang nilalakad ang daan patungo sa puntod ni Farrah. "Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!"

"Matisod ka, Eyra." paalala ko.

"Mommy, we're here na po! Did you missed us?" bungad niya agad sa may puntod mismo ng mommy niya. It still pains me. "I bought pancakes because we both love it." inilatag niya ang baunan sa ibabaw at binuksan.

"Eyra, nakwento ko na ba sa'yo kung paano kami magkilala ng mommy Farrah?"

Inuunti ko ang pagkukwento kaya ngayong nasa harap ulit kami ni Farrah, bagong kwento na naman.

"No. Tell me na po!" she leaned to me as I sat on the grass and put the flowers on Farrah's grave.

"She thought that I'm her boyfriend's other girl, your mom is so silly isn't she? Silly just like you." pang-uumpisa ko. She was amazed. "Then she apologized when she knew that I was just an ordinary girl passing by. I didn't get mad at her though. Pagkatapos non, nag-usap kami and we found out that we were both studying in the same school."

"Kailan po mommy? How old are you when you met?"

"I am fourteen and she's fifteen. She's too young to find a lover so she always ending up to heartbreaks. But don't think that she's weak, baby. Because you know what? She's the most strong person I ever met. I won't tell you her challenges and my challenges in life because you are too young to hear such a thing. Just think that your mommy is so strong. Strong to face her challenges in life."

"Wow, so you are friends po for too long?" I nodded.

"Ten years, baby. And if I add the years after she passed, it'll be fourteen years."

She made a face, so amazed. "Woaah, I wish I can find a friend who can stay that long too!" kinurot ko ng mahina ang pisngi niya.

"Makakahanap ka rin, baby. But always remember, in a friendship, kailangan mong tanggapin ang pagkatao ng kaibigan mo. If you think that she o he is wrong in something, pagsabihan mo. And helping each other anytime someone will have their tough times is one of the ways to make your friendship more strong."

"Noted, mommy. Hala! Daddy Ryle?!" halos mapatayo ako nang sumigaw siya at tumakbo. "Bakit ka po nandito?"

What's that teacher is doing here?

"What a coincidence. I happened to visit my grandma and I found you." he held Eyra's hand and walked toward me. "Nice narrating." I almost rolled my eyes.

"Paanong nandito ka? Kakalibing lang ba ng grandma mo? I haven't seen you here, now's the first time." he sat together with my daughter.

"Kagagaling ko lang sa States, I stayed there for years and haven't visited my grandma for a long time. Ngayon lang ako nagka-time. This must be your bestfriend's grave." bumaling siya sa puntod sa tapat namin.

"Yeah. Mukhang marami nang na kwento sa'yo si Eyra." tumawa siya.

"Kids are innocent and cute. Maikukwento na lang nila ang alam nila. As I told you, I would just listen and won't interrupt." ngumiti ako ng tipid.

"Daddy Ryle, gusto mo pong sumama? We're having a date ni mommy, we'll eat in a restaurant." I stared at Eyra. Such an innocent kid.

Gusto kong mahiya pero si Ryle na rin ang pumayag. Kinurot niya ng mahina si Eyra sa pisngi.

"I am not busy today so I can if your mommy wants to." sabay pa silang tumingin sa akin na may ngiti.

"Mommy?" nag-puppy eyes na naman siya.