A Lifetime Connection

13

Vida woke up again, crying. She's not even sure if she slept enough, araw-araw na siyang umiiyak. They'll be looking for a dress for her moving-up ceremony, and she doesn't feel like it. But she have to, nangako na siya sa Daddy niya.

Her Mom was supposed to be with her today... Sila dapat ang naghahanap ng damit niya. They're suppose to look for a designer that will custom-made a match dress for them, pero wala siya.

No words could express how lonely she has been since her Mom has gone missing. If she only knew... hindi na niya sana hinayaan ang Mommy niya na umalis. She could've told her that she's not comfortable of the idea of her leaving, it's too late.

Hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin silang balita sa Mommy niya. Pinapatay na siya ng iniisip niya, masama na ang kutob niya sa nangyari sa Mommy niya. It may not be good to think of those things, pero hindi niya maiwasan.

Parang mamamatay na ang puso niya sa pangungulila. Malapit na ang moving-up ceremony niya, ngunit wala pa rin ito. Walang kwenta ang with highest honor award niya kung wala rin naman ang Mommy niya.

She's sitting on the bed, all dress up for their preparation of her moving up ceremony. She's just waiting for her Dad to call her. She flinched when her father suddenly barged in her room, agad niyang pinunasana ng luha niya.

Greggy approached his daughter in worry, he kneeled in front of her and hugged Vida tightly. "What's wrong again, baby?"

Vida can't help but cry, she sobbed so hard. "Daddy..."

Greggy held Vida's chin with tears in his eyes, it hurts him so bad. "Vida.."

"D-Dad, I need Mommy... Gusto ko na siyang m-makasama... Please... Find her quickly..." Vida said as tears stream down on her face. Pinunasan ni Greggy ang mga luhang 'yon.

Kung pwede lang niyang pawiin ang sakit na dinaramdam ng anak, matagal na niyang ginawa. But he knows that only Irene could mend the pain their daughter is feeling. Si Irene lang ang makakawala ng sakit at makakapagkalma kay Vida.

"I'm doing everything I can, Mi Vida... Ginagawa ko lahat, para sayo..."

Umiling-iling si Vida at mas lumakas ang pag-iyak. "Ayoko... Ayoko nang gumising ulit..." napalunok si Vida ng mariin. "Ayoko nang gumising ulit na wala si Mommy sa tabi ko, Dad... Kailangan na kailangan ko siya..."

Wala nang nasabi si Greggy kundi niyakap na lang niya ang anak. His heart aches for Vida. She badly... needs Irene. She's been so miserable. Siya na ang naaawa sa anak.

"Mommy..." Vida mumbled while crying on her father's arms.

It was another day of breakdown. Hindi na natuloy ang mag ama sa lakad nila. The next day, Greggy made sure that they will follow what is scheduled. They went to a lot of boutique and dress shops, even high-end designers just to look for the best graduation dress for Vida.

"May nagustuhan ka na ba?" this is the third boutique that they went to.

Vida shook her head. "May dress pa naman ako sa bahay, Daddy... 'Yun na lang po," malumanay na sabi ni Vida.

"Nope. We'll look for the perfect dress for you, I want to buy you a new one just for that day." Greggy remarked.

"But-"

"No buts, honey. Come on, do you want a classic Filipiniana?" Greggy said in full finality.

Vida sighed and look at the designs in the book. There were lot of classic Filipiniana in modern style. Nilingon niya ang ama na mariing tinitignan ang mga damit.

He's trying hard. Greggy's trying his best to somehow fill the missing part of Vida.

"Dad," sinulyapan ni Greggy ang anak nang marinig na tinatawag siya nito. "Borrow na lang kaya ako kay Mama Meldy ng Terno, marami pa siyang nakatago dun na ma-fit sa'kin."