Queen Of Damn

Extra Chapter -Vincent-

*Vincent*

I was looking for my wallet inside my desk drawer when my eyes landed on the picture frame which was long kept there for so many years, on top of everything stacked inside. I took a moment to stare at the picture before pulling it out of the drawer.

It was the picture of Papa, carrying me while Mama was the one taking the picture. It dates way back to 1990, Christmas day. My first Christmas. I was just one and a half months old.

I was wearing a blue knitted bishop cap, with matching mittens and a white collared frog suit. He was smiling from ear to ear, with a glint of joy in his eyes. I still couldn't believe that heʼd leave us too soon.

Papa was really a good man.

Thatʼs how I remember him. Every time that I read the newspaper, news about his good deed was always printed out and published.

I always looked up to him and dreamt of becoming just like him someday. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a law enforcer, to serve and protect the nation, with unyielding determination and loyalty.

It was never a surprise to everyone, he was my idol, and my father is the only role model for me. He even supported me and helped me with any chance he could to fulfill my dream.

Even mama didn't approve at first, but along the way, she finally gave up swaying me from my dream, she just wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor.

Every day I woke up, having this silly smile on my face, knowing papa was eating downstairs, preparing to go to work, he always rose early, even left before I woke up, so I always ran after him, he would just smile and pat my head.

"Wag mong pasasakitin ang ulo ng mama mo,"

"Anong oras ka uuwi, Papa?"

"Hindi ko alam eh, yung pinag-usapan natin ah," giving me his smile that never gets old.

"Opo,"

"Mamaya na yan, male-late na ang papa mo," tapos laging ihahabol ni mama yung lunch box ni papa na nakalagay sa isang bag. "Iniwan mo na naman sa mesa, minsan nagdududa na 'ko eh, sinasadya mo yata eh,"

"Salamat, Hon." kukunin naman ni Papa. "Love na love mo talaga ako."

Hmmp, kunwari ka pa, hindi mo nga naubos yung niluto ko kanina tapos kagabi, nung huhugasan ko na yung lunch box, di mo man lang ginalaw, ayaw mo na ba sa mga luto ko?"

"Honey naman, hindi ah." tapos lalambingin ni papa. "Siyempre gustong gusto ko, kaso minsan kasi, di ko na napapansin yung oras. Tsaka madalas kaming maaya ni kumpare sa labas eh. Sorry na."

"Siguraduhing mo lang ah,"

Tatawa lang ako sa gilid. Tapos kikindatan ako ni papa. "Alis na 'ko, ikaw nang bahala dito, Hon."

"Sige na. Mag-ingat ka ah,"

Tapos may maririnig akong sanggol umiiyak.

"Ay naku si Miles, gising na!" kaya si mama magmamadaling pumasok sa loob.

Parati kaming naiiwan ni papa sa harap ng bahay namin. "Alis na 'ko,'nak."

"Papa, pag-uwi mo, laro ulit tayo ah."

"Oo naman." hihimasin na naman niya ang ulo ko. "Mag-aral kang mabuti, bantayan mo ang kapatid mo, ang mama mo, kung anu-ano nang naiisip."

Tatango na lang ako at pagmamasdan siyang lumalakad palayo at palabas ng gate ng bahay namin. Sa Marikina pa kami nakatira noon, malapit sa bahay ni Tita Becky, ilang kilometro lang ang layo. I remember I was just nine years old, going ten, attending my elementary in a public school nearby.