Man and Wife (Wifely Duties 2) - Published by PHR

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

*Scars left unhealed

are cuts that were filled,

with hatred and unshed tears. *

***

"I DON'T want you to come. It's just a soccer practice," Rainiel lazily said. "It's not even a competition or something big."

         Tinapos ni Reeve ang pagsisintas ng rubber shoes bago tinignan ang anak. "Gusto lang kitang samahan. It's your Daddy time, remember?"

         Tumalikod ito at isinukbit sa balikat ang bagpack. "You're just going to distract me, Daddy. I can go to practice all by myself. Ihatid at sunduin mo na lang ako."

         "I heard from your grandma that your teammates' parents were always there to watch. Hindi pa kita napapanood mag-practice. Don't you want Daddy to support you?"

         Umiling ito. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay. "Basta. You don't have to stay there," matigas pa ring sabi nito. "Hatid mo lang ako, then I'm going to be fine."

         "But I want to watch you," pagpupumulit niya naman. Kung ang ibang mga anak niya ay naging sabik sa oras na nilalaan niya ng solo sa mga ito, si Rainiel ay kabaliktaran. Kagabi pa ito umaangal na ayaw nitong magpasama.

         "You don't have to, Daddy! I'm already a big boy!" Nagkrus ang mga braso nito sa balikat. "Hindi ko na need nang magaasikaso sa'kin. I can do it by myself."

         Napabuga ng hangin si Reeve. Niyuko niya ang anak. "Look, son, Daddy wanted to know you more. I wanted to spend time with you because I admit, I wasn't able to do this before. Dati, binubuhat lang kita. At hindi ko alam kung kailan ka lumaki ng ganito. I lost track. I wanted to make it up to you." He patted his hair.

         Iniwas nito ang ulo. "You don't have to. I was not asking you to. Malaki na 'ko, Daddy. Hindi mo na 'ko kailangang samahan sa practice. Kasi sa mga soccer competitions nga mismo, wala ka. I'm used to it. Sanay akong wala ka, Daddy."

         Napakurap si Reeve. Ramdam niya ang talim na pinong bumaon sa dibdib. This is the first time he heard his own son say those words.

         Sanay na itong... wala siya.

         Bumagsak ang kanyang mga balikat. Wala na siyang masagot dahil kahit siya ay aminado sa mga pagkukulang.

         "Si Mommy ang lagi kong kasama sa practice. Siya rin ang laging nasa competitions. You don't have to sub for her while she's... on a vacation. Just take me to school and pick me up later."

         Lumabas na ito ng bahay. Wala pa ring masabi si Reeve. It was so hard to utter words that can pacify his son. But he knew, Rainiel can't be satisfied. Naramdaman na naman ni Reeve na isa siyang malaking talunan. Hindi niya alam paano kakausapin ang panganay.

         "Bye, Kuya! Bye, Daddy. Drive safely!" Riana sweetly said.

         Nilingon niya ito. Reeve tried to smile for his daughter. "Thank you, darling." Yumuko siya at hinalikan ito sa pisngi. "Behave, alright? Help Grandma take care of Adam and Rade."

         Masunurin itong tumango.

         Nang nasa loob na ng kotse sina Reeve at Rainiel ay tahimik. While driving, hindi maalis ni Reeve sa isipan ang mga sinabi ng anak kanina. He was too guilty. Napakalaki ng kasalanan niya sa panganay. He was ashamed to talk, to make things right between them. Dahil sa tingin niya, mas maiinis lang sa kanya ang anak kapag nagpumilit pa siya.