She Crossed That Bridge

28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

You're welcome . . .

THERE'S a sweet burnt-bread smell in the air when I entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Dad. You're home early," I said to him, who's standing by the toaster. He's wearing his after-work uniform, sweatpants and a white shirt. Ganiyan palagi ang outfit niya kapag nasa bahay. I honestly preferred his uniform at work.

"Yeah. Aren't you happy about that?" He laughed, giving me a quick kiss on my cheek.

The toaster clicked, and by the time my coffee was ready, my dad and I talked about how our day went.

Few hours later, I received a text from Kath.

Hey, have you seen the announcement posted by the school?

No, not yet. What about it?

Camping at Beaverhead-Deerlodge this weekend. Exclusive for seniors.

I immediately went to my dad's room and told him about the camping.

"Should I go or not?" I said, frowning.

"Why not?" He shrugged. "Wala naman akong makitang dahilan para hindi ka sumama? And it's actually an experience to treasure."

"Helix will be there."

"So?" taas-kilay niyang sabi.

Tumahimik na lang ako at hindi na ulit kumibo. He knew already why Helix and I broke up, and he's well aware about Hel's cancer. Kinuwento ko lahat kay dad simula no'ng naghiwalay kami ni Helix. Why would I not tell him? He's my dad, after all.

There's a moment of silence, but my dad decided to break it. "You still have feelings for him," he said, nodding. "But you left him," he added up.

He suddenly let out a small laugh. "How can a person do that? Leaving someone you love."

I bit my lip. Now he's talking about mom. He hasn't talked about her for a long time. Kaya kapag naririnig ko sa kanya mismo si mom, gumagaan ang loob ko. Hindi kasi ugali ni dad magkuwento, so kapag nagkukuwento siya, it really meant something.

Napangiti ako dahil sa tanong niya.

"Because sometimes, staying is more painful than leaving," I said.

Before I went back to my room, I gave him a soft kiss on his cheek and flashed him a warm smile. "You still love her. I know that. But you still have me. And I love you," bulong ko sa kanya. "Good night, Dad."

***

"WOW," Kath said, amusement crossed her face.

This was the very first time we learned to put together a tent on our own. It's like I was finally living the life of the characters I've been reading in books. Speaking of books, I am re-reading Nicholas Sparks' works. I'm too in love with his novels I always read them all over again. Hindi kasi talaga nakasasawa. Masarap talagang ulit-ulitin. Old but gold.

After everyone set up their own tents, some started playing hide and seek while the others sat around the camp fire talking about anything in life.

I could feel the heat touching my face and I could smell my sweater being filled with smoke. But it's okay. It's part of the camping experience. Masaya ako na nandito ako ngayon, kasama ang mga kaibigan ko.