Not A Fairytale✔

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

I wanted a father's advice so bad, kaya dumiretso agad ako sa hospital. With all the obvious expectations inside my head, I guess I am right.

Dahil pagkapasok ko pa lang sa entrance ay nagtinginan agad sa akin ang mga tao, even the nurses, basically, lahat ay nakatingin sa akin. Some were even exchanging whispers, and many are pointing at me like hey she was just seen in the media!

I know what's behind the stares, and I already expected it bago pa man ako umalis sa building ni Mommy.

I cannot blame them, but I didn't mind them, I only have an agenda that I am sticking with, at hindi kasama ang pag-iisip ng nga negatibong bagay doon. Ang gusto ko lang gawin ngayon ay kausapin si Papa...si tito Alexandro.

Pumasok ako sa elevator, at mabilis ding nakarating sa floor kung saan nakaconfine si tito. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso habang mabagal na naglalakad sa hallway, marami akong nakakaslubong na aligagang mga nurse dahil sa trabaho. Napakapit ako sa sling ng aking bag at tumigil sa tapat ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Papa.

Huminga ako ng malalaim at nagbuga ng hangin bago ito binuksan.

Nang makasok ako sa room niya ay walang tao doon. Siya lang mag-isa.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit at tumagilid ang ulo niya nang mapansin ako, ngumiti ako nang matipid sa kanya ngunit hindi niya ako nginitian pabalik. Nag-iwas ito ng tingin at tumingin sa ibang direksyon.

As usual, ganyan naman siya lagi. But that is what makes him as Alexandro Maraese.

"Papa..." Halos mapaluha ako nang sinabi ko iyon, the thought of calling him that...after all, is very.. wholesome.

Tito Alexandro was a father to me, and that will never disappear. Until now, he can still become my father, kahit alam ko na kung sino ang tunay kong ama.

Despite all of what happened, he housed me, gave me clothes to wear, fed me, didn't abused me, and most importantly, he protected me. That is enough for me to accept. Or at least to consider.

"Papa, I'm sorry.." Nanghina ang boses ko at humikbi.

Nagkagat ako ng labi, I should limit my words...but my guilt is eating me. Ayaw kong makasakit lalo na kung siya ang masasaktan, but what can I say?

"Papa, I know all these years you're a great great man. You've treated me nice and yet I didn't took care of myself. I  abandoned myseld in the middle of doubts, and I lived in a nightmare.." Humikbi ako, "I am such a fool to haem myself, now that you kept on protecting me. I'm sorry Papa. I am so weak, I was reckless." Pagpapatuloy ko.

"Neterini." Halos hangin na lang ang lumabas sa kanyang bibig.

Umangat ang ulo ko upang matignan siya nang mabuti. Tinanggal niya ang nebulizer sa kanyang bibig at umayos ng higa.

"I am a lonely man, Neterini.." Bulong niya, "I am a man who keeps on waking up in the middle of the night, wondering..am I doing the right thing now? I am wealthy, I have a wonderful wife..and a wonderfully honest daughter," napahinto siya. "But why do I feel shallow?"

"Papa.."

"I know, I know. Your old man never said these things before." Huminga siya ng malalim at 'saka huminga gamit ang nebulizer, 'saka ulit ibinaba iyon. "Neterini, my death is already days away, or worse, hours away. Eighteen years, you're my daughter, and you haven't disappointed me even once, and I thought how lucky is this old man to have such an angel like you.."

Kumislap ang mga mata ko, para akong lumilipad dahil sa mga sinabi niya. These words, are not his...but I may at least enjoy the moment, because these words are from the real him.