Every Step Away

ESA28

ESA28

Napangiti ako noong marinig ko ang malambing at maliit niyang tawa pagkatapos kong isintas ang kanyang sapatos muli.

"There, it looks nice again!" she cutely said.

I look at her cute chubby face. Her hair is neatly tied with braided pigtails. Sa parehas na tuktok noon ay may flower clips.

Pinunasan ko ang kanyang luha. Umiiyak kasi siya kanina dahil natanggal sa pagkakasintas ang kanyang sapatos.

"Don't cry anymore, okay?"

She smiled at me. Natawa ako dahil ang cute-cute niya. Mayroon pa siyang vacant space na walang ngipin sa kanyang bibig.

"You're so nice!"

I smiled. "What do you say to nice people?" I asked.

"Thanks for this, lady!" She said cheerfully.

"No worries, little girl," I said.

"Mom!" sigaw niya.

Tumayo ako noong tumakbo siya palayo saakin. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin at nakita kong tumigil siya sa harap ng isang babae na agad siyang kinarga.

The woman look at me after listening to her daughter's story. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

I put my hands on my coat while looking around.

Ang tagal naman.

"It's cold!" salubong ng pinakahihintay ko saakin noong matagpuan ko siya. Finally, he's here!

"Of course, it's winter!" natatawa kong sabi sa kanya at agad na yumakap.

"Welcome back!" I said.

I kissed his cheeks before letting him go. Umangkla ako sa braso niya habang ang isa naman ay hila-hila ang kanyang bagahe.

"How long will you stay?" tanong ko.

"One week. I tried to make it longer but you know, works cannot be idle for so long."

"Government is boring," I commented.

"So am I." he said and we both laughed.

That's not true. He's fun to be with.

"Where do you wanna go, Dad?" I asked while fixing my seat belt.

He leaned on his seat and close his eyes.

"I don't know. You're the local here."

I frowned. Palagi nalang ganon ang sagot niya kapag tinatanong.

"How's Tita?" tanong ko habang sinisimulang ang kotse.

"She did not agree but what's new?" he said, still closing his eyes.

Siguro ay pagod talaga siya dahil sa mahabang flight. I smiled at the sight of him. Years before, I never thought we can be close like this. I loved and hated him at the same time.

But now, I just love him to bits.

"Why do I feel like I'm raising a rebel dad?" I laughed.

Nakita ko ang maliit na ngiti sa kanyang labi at umiling. I smiled, feeling so warm in the middle of the cold winter.

"I love France." mahina niyang wika.

My laugh became louder.

I don't know how we became closer. I just realized that we're cool and comfortable with each other.