Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 40

40
Dream

"This looks good," Papa uttered while carefully eyeing the wall in my room where I painted my dream house. Nakatayo lamang siya at nagmamasid sa aking kwarto habang ako naman ay nakatayo rin sa likod niya. His broad back is what I can just see so I can't actually fathom his expression now.

"Thank you," I replied, looking at the wall as well. "It actually took me a year before I finished it..."

"Whose house is it?" tanong niya at ngayon ay nilingon na ako.

"My dream house, Papa."

Now that I stare at it as a whole, I knew it's the house I've always I wanted since I was a kid. It isn't as big as our mansion but it's a two-story modern house with flashes of dark grey and wood brown. I'd definitely pursue this design once I'd settle with my own house. Maybe after working for 3 years or so? Or when I'd get married? Will I get married? I think so...with Octavian perhaps?

I blushed when I realized what I was just thinking. Ganoon din ba ang iniisip niya? Does he go too far into thinking like that too with our relationship? But...I want it to be with him.

"You designed this alone?"

I was brought back to my senses when Papa spoke. I nodded at him. Ngumiti siya sa akin at sinenyas na umupo ako sa kama. He pulled out my swivel chair and sat on it. Tahimik ko naman iyong ginawa at nagmamasid lang sa mga galaw ni Papa.

"You know...when I was on the age before I married your mother, I wasn't that rich. I was just an average earning man. Sakto lang at hindi kasing yaman ng ibang mga prominenteng kaedad ko noon. Many asked me, why won't I just use the money of your grandparents? They said it would be easier for me to buy everything I wanted and get what I needed."

Tahimik lamang akong nakikinig sa kwento ni Papa at tinitignan siyang nagsasalita. Surely, the Dela Merced clan was already rich even way back. I remember this certain memory of my childhood when my grandparents from Papa's side bought a 4-hectare land just for my 8th birthday. Hindi ko pa mapagtanto dati noong bata ako kung gaano ito kalaki but Papa told me at young age that I could use for a business someday.

"And I would just say that I simply do not want to spend my parent's money. Totoong iyon ang rason ko. I didn't want to become dependent on them. Kaya mas pinili kong maghirap sa sarili kong bulsa. When I met your Mom, my life really wasn't getting any better. I've always refused the relief of my parents at palagi kong tinatanggihan ang i-o-offer ng Lola mo noon na tulong kung wala na talaga akong pera. Your Lolo didn't seem to care about it because he understood what I wanted to do."

"Did Mom know about it?" I asked curiously, tucking in my legs to suppress the cold of my room.

Ngumiti siya sa akin bago nagsalita. "Your Mom appreciated it, Natalia. It's something she loved me for."

"Why Papa?''

"Your Mom – nagbakasyon lang siya sa sa Pilipinas noon. She was an Italian architect who's a part of her family's circle of business. She owns a huge part of that company...that's why when I fell in love with her wits and personality when she benchmarked the firm I worked in before, a lot of people took it as a scheme. Sabi nila, I only liked your Mother just because of her background. It was a huge blow to my ego and to what I really feel for her. I loved her, even if she had nothing and even if she had everything. That's why I worked really hard all day and night just to prove her that I wanted and needed her in my life."

"Papa..." I croaked, feeling a little bit overwhelmed with his story. Papa was the only one I looked up to growing up. He was the only role model I wanted to follow. I've seen his hard work and dedication throughout the years and it gives me a new sense of adoration when I heard how he worked hard to pursue Mom.