Enthralled by Illusions

Kabanata 22

Tumakbo agad ako papunta kay Tatay at yinakap sya ng mahigpit. I missed him. I missed my father. I felt him stiffened when I hugged him tight. It's been years since the last time I saw and talked to him.

Tinignan ko ang buong kabuoan nya. He gained weight but it looks perfect to him. He also has a beard already. Wala naman ito noon. But still it is still the same. It's still my father. My loving father.

Agad akong nag-book ng flight papunta dito para mabisita si Tatay. I first went to him first thing na makapunta ako sa Ilocos Norte.

"Tay, sorry.. Sorry if I left you. Sorry if I made you worried and sad. Sorry for everything. I failed as a daughter, Tay. I failed." Hagulgol ko habang nakayakap pa rin kay Tatay.

"You didn't fail, anak.. infact you helped me to put Sebastian in jail. You helped me to become stronger, anak." Aniya. Mas lalo akong naiyak sa sinabi nya.

"No, Tay. Iniwan kita nuong mga oras na kailangan mo ako. Iniwan kita kung kailan hirap na hirap ka na." Nahihirapan kong bigkas dahil sa aking pag iyak. This is my first time in 2 years to cry this bad. To cry as if it will lessen my pain.

Ayaw kong nakikita ang Tatay na nahihirapan. Mas lalong ayaw kong nakikita sya sa prisinto at nakasuot ng kahel na shirt. As if my Tatay did something! Hindi sya preso! He is not!

Pinaupo ako ni Tatay sa tabing lamesa at pinakalma. Iyak pa rin ako ng iyak kahit anong gawin nyang pag papakalma sa akin. It's not effective.

"Ang tagal na na panahon ng huli tayong magkita, anak. I missed you so much. Ibang iba ka na." Aniya at tinignan ang kabuoan ko at hinaplos ang buhok kong maikli. I'm wearing my white dress halter neck sleeveless jumpsuit and black stilettos.

"I missed you too, Tay." I said. "Asan sila Nanay?" I asked.

"Umuwi muna ng bahay para makapag pahinga. Kagabi pa sila hindi umaalis kahit pinapaalis na sila. I can't stand them seeing so heart broken." Nakita kong may pumatak na luha sa mata ni Tatay kaya napapikit ako ng mariin. I also can't stand seeing you in this state, Tay. Masakit.

"I'll get you out of here, Tay. Just cooperate, okay?" Nakita ako ang pangangamba sa mukha ni Tatay kaya hinawakan ko ang kamay nya.

"Malaking tao ang makakalaban mo, Gabriela. Hindi ko gusto ang tumatakbo sa ulo mo. Itigil mo na ito habang maaga pa dahil wala rin naman na tayong magagawa dahil nakakulong na ako." Mas humugpit ang hawak ko sa kanya.

"Hindi, Tay. May pag asa pa. Makakalaya ka, maghintay ka lang." I firmly said. Ayaw kong mawalan ng pag asa si Tatay dahil ganon rin ang mangyayari sa akin. Kailangan nyang lumaban para may paghuhugutan ako ng lakas para lumaban.

"Pero, anak.." Umiling ako.

"I won't accept any buts or no's coming from you, Tay. We will get this through. I will fight for you." Unti unting tumango si Tatay that made me smile.

"I'm happy that you're back, anak." Tatay said with a tearful eye.

"I'm happy to see you, Tay."

One of the police who is in charge told us that it's almost time so I hugged my Tatay one last time before saying goodbye.

"Pakalakas ka, Tay, huh? I'll get you out of here soon." Hinaplos ko ang buhok nua at hinalikan sa pisngi. The police started to put back the cuffs that my Tatay is wearing before leaving.

Ang sakit lang na makita ang Tatay na ganon ang sitwasyon. It was really hard for me because I can't stand seeing Tatay in that situation. It broke me. Lalo na ng lumingon ulit si Tatay at ngumiti ng makungkot sa akin.