Chapter 9: MAD
Nagising ako nang makaramdaman ng masuyong paghaplos sa aking buhok. Napakurap ako ng three times nang salubingin ng liwanag mula sa malaking ilaw ng aking silid ang mga mata ko. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkurap until masanay na 'ko sa liwanag.
“Did I wake you up?” Bàba asked. He was sitting on the right side of my bed.
“Yeah,” medyo natatawang sagot ko because it's obvious naman.
“I'm sorry, Yángguāng,” Sunshine. He said with a gentle and apologetic smile on his lips.
I nodded at him and slowly rubbed my eyes while yawning. Tumingin ako sa side table sa tabi ng aking kama upang tingnan ang oras.
“You came home late?” I asked when I saw that it's already 12 in the midnight.
Bàba nodded. “Nǐ zěnme zhīdào?” How did you know?
“Because you're still in your business suit, Bàba. Duh? As if naman you're sleeping wearing that.” I rolled my eyes, which caused him to chuckle.
“Have you noticed anything strange these past few days while I was away?” he asked on his monotone voice.
My forehead furrowed because of the sudden change of the tone of his voice. I couldn't understand what that question was for and what should I feel.
“Is there a problem?” I saw how Bàba's Adams apple moved in tense because of my question.
“Nothing.” He shook his head and forced a smile.
Halata ang pagkapagod sa buong mukha nito na nagbigay ng bigat sa dibdib ko. He was working so hard for me so that I can live luxuriously without any problems. He is making everything so easy para sa akin.
“Sorry for my question, hindi ko gusto'ng mag-alala ka. Nitong nakaraan lang kasi ay dumadalas ang pag-alis ko sa iba't ibang mga bansa at masyado na akong nagiging abala sa trabaho.” The end of his lifted up into a warms smile. “It is wrong if I say that I miss you, Princess?”
I smiled back and shook my head. Napapansin ko din ang pagdalas ng pag-alis ni Bàba at ang matagal na pag-e-stay niya sa ibang bansa. Noong nakaraang lang ay tumagal siya doon ng dalawang buwan at pagkabalik naman niya ay agad ding lumipad paalis kaya hindi na halos kami makapag-usap o kahit na makapagkita.
Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga upang yumakap kay Bàba. I bury my face on his shoulder. Marahan naman niyang hinagod ang buhok ko sa aking likuran.
“I miss you, too, Bàba,” I mumbled as I silently and selfishly wished, 'Please, huwag mo po sanang kasipagan ang pagta-trabaho para madalas na tayong magkita.'
“You grew up so fast.” He sighed heavily. Humiwalay kami sa yakap ngunit nanatiling nasa ibabaw ng ulo ko ang kamay niya. “As years passed, lumalaki kang lalong nagiging kamukha ang Māmā mo. She must be really happy and so proud up there because you grew up to be a beautiful, smart and kind person, just like what she wanted you to be. Nasa huling baitang ka na ng pag-aaral but please, don't get married immediately after you graduated and stay being my Sunshine.” He warmly smiled as his eyes sparkled with tears. “For now, let your Bàba protect you from the world.”
I took a sharp breath. Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng sulok ng aking mga mata kaya't ngumisi ako upang pagtakpan ito. “What's with the drama?”
Bàba pouted at what I said that made me chuckle. Pinunasan niya ang luhang nagbabadya pa lang sa pagtulo.
“You're so cruel to me, Sunshine.” He acted like he was hurt but then, but then also smiled. “Qù shuìjiào. I'll sing you a lullaby.” Go to sleep.
