Mamahalin Kita ng Malayo

CHAPTER 22

Rod's POV
It's been a year and I can't sleep dahil ngayon ang birthday ni Lizzy. I checked the clock and it's already 1:30am. I am now sitting here in the living room while drinking some wine. I opened my Instagram account and I saw post from Sam, Stephen, Alice, Kuya Anthony and some of her close friends. Wala pa akong nakita na comment  niya, for sure tulog pa siya besides 7:30am pa lang naman sa Pilipinas. I am thinking if I should send her a message pero wag na, baka malaman pa ni Tito. To be honest, I haven't sent her a message simula nung nakarating na ako dito sa Barcelona. Why? Because her dad called through FaceTime.

**********************Flashback**********************

Kadarating ko lang dito sa condo. Nakakapagod ang flight, there are a lot of delays and I really hate it. We have small condo here dahil dito daw nag-stay sila dad for 5 years before. I haven't eat dinner pero inaantok na ako, maybe later nalang. Inayos ko lang ang luggages ko then lay on the bed. I was about to close my eyes but my phone ring. I checked the caller's name and unknown ito. I was about to reject the call pero naalala ko yung sinabi ni Tito Jake (Lucas' sibling) kanina that he gave my new number kina mom and dad already. So I guess sila yun so I answered it right away but I was shocked cuz it's Tito Edward kaya bumangon ako agad at umupo.

*Facetime

Edward: Mr. Laurel?

Rod: Y-yes tito?

Edward: Kamusta? Nabalitaan kong pumunta ka na daw ng Barcelona, is it true?

Rod: Opo (then smile)

Edward: Good. Kamusta naman ang flight mo iho? Ayos naman ba?

Rod: Ayos naman po tito. Medyo may mga delay nga lang po pero okay naman.

After telling those words, Tito Edward just smile. Sa totoo lang kinakabahan ako at the same time wondering kung paano niya nakuha ang new number ko. Parang gusto kong ibaba tong tawag na toh pero hindi ko magawa. Baka kasi kung anong sabihin niya. After a second, he speak up again.

Edward: Mr. Laurel, I don't wanna waste some time anymore. The truth why I called you is because I want you to stop calling or sending a message to my daughter. Stop bothering her, nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?

Nagulat ako ng sabihin ni Tito yun. This time naisip kong baka isa siya sa mga dahilan kung bakit pinatigil ako ni Lizzy.

Edward: Look, Alam ko naman na mabuting tao ka iho. Nakikita ko din kung gaano mo kamahal ang anak ko pero kasi gusto ko muna siyang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral niya and be professional like us. To be honest, gusto kita para sa anak ko pero pwede hayaan mo muna siya ngayon?

Rod: Attorney hi— (didn't finish his words cuz Edward speak up again)

Edward: Mahal ko ang anak ko Mr. Laurel and I want her to reach her goals in life muna before anything else. At kung dumating na ang araw na yun, you can continue courting my daughter, hindi na ako hahadlang pa.

Rod: Sige po Attorney.

Edward: Good. You have my words, Mr. Laurel. Goodbye.

As her dad ended the call, nawala yung antok ko. Ang hirap ng ganito. I am now facing the ceiling while my tears started to fall.