Between Dusk and Dawn (Love Lies in Ilocos Norte) COMPLETED

XVIII

"It's from," binaliktad ko ang relo. "Papa."

Sa likod nito ay nakaukit ang mga initials ni Papa.

W.J.D.S

William James De Silva.

"Pero..." I hastily wiped the tears. "Pero paano?"

Kinuha niya ang nagbalatan ng regalo. He pulled me slowly and carefully towards the couch.

"Your father is a great friend of Papa," simula niya.

Alam ko iyon. Doktor silang dalawa and Papa used to work in Doc. Renzo's hospital.

"I know your father too," he continued.

"He guided me when Papa couldn't. He taught me about structures and buildings even though he's a doctor. And he always talks about you, Roxette."

Nagulat ako, "Paano mo siya nakilala?"

"I was there when the fire happened. I was like a mini representative of Papa, dahil wala siya noon. I was just fifteen that time. I noticed Tito Will forgot his watch so I decided to give it to him in the hospital. But I was too late."

Tears erupted from my eyes again. The way he called Papa sounded like he really knew him.

"Pero..." lumunok ako. "Pero bakit ngayon mo lang ito sinabi?"

Walang iniwan si Papa kundi ang mga damit niya sa bahay namin noon. And it didn't ease the situation, hindi tulad ng sinasabi ng iba na mas makakamove on ang nawalan kapag walang nagpapaalala sa kanya.

It hurts more, because it felt like the moments with Papa didn't happened and all of it are mere imaginations.

Mas lumala pa nang nawala rin ang mga damit niya kasabay ng pagkawala ng bahay.

And now, all Mama has of Papa is their wedding ring. Habang ako ay puro ala ala na lang.

"I couldn't find the right time to tell you. You were so happy and seeing you, crying now is tearing my heart."

Yinakap ko siya. I sobbed on his shoulders while hugging him.

I clutched the watch, couldn't believe myself na meron pang naiwang ala ala ni Papa.

I felt a hand pat my back, and instead of being comforted, I cried more.

Anim na taon ko lang nakasama at nadama ang pagmamahal ng isang ama. Kalimitan pang nasa trabaho so I don't have many memories about him.

But I know I miss him. And I'm longing for my father.

Pinalis ko ang mga luha at bumuntong hininga bago pilit na ngumiti.

I broke the hug, smiling at him. He looked sad and worried too, while looking at me.

Tinignan ko ulit ang relo, "I'm so happy. This is the best birthday ever. Thank you."

Ang dami kong iniyak ngayon. Mula pa kanina sa mansyon, hanggang dito. This birthday is so dramatic.

Hinawi niya ang buhok na napunta sa mukha ko. Inilagay niya ito sa likod ng tenga ko.

"Happy Birthday again," inilahad niya ang cake na nasa mesa kanina.

Muntik nang mawala ang kandila dahil kanina pa pala ito nakasindi.

I closed my eyes before blowing the candle.

I wish nothing else could go wrong.

Ano pa ba ang mahihiling ko kung hindi sana ay wala nang komplikasyon pa, sa kahit anong bagay.