Torn in Two (Elite Girls 2)

Chapter 33 - Surprise

CHAPTER 33

SURPRISE

Damian's POV

"Pre?" I looked behind after Silva opened my bedroom door. "Kanina pa ring ng ring 'yung phone mo."

"Sh*t, naiwan ko nga pala 'yung cellphone ko sa baba." Tumayo na ako at sinarado ang laptop ko. "Thanks."

I ran downstairs and grabbed my phone from the table.

7 missed calls.

Bakit tumatawag si Papa? He usually just sends a message after one missed call. Hindi niya ugaling magsayang ng oras kakatawag lalo na kung hindi ako sumagot sa una pa lang.

"Hello?"

"It's me. I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet," Art sang loudly, imitating Adele's Hello song. "Pfft HAHAHHAHA!"

I rolled my eyes at him and threw a sofa pillow to his face but he was quick. Nasalo niya iyon.

Sayang. Sapul sana 'yon!

"Shut the f*ck up, Art." Lumayo ako sa living room dahil nanunuod sila ni Silva ng soccer game. Maingay pa naman sila manuod.

"Dad, what's up?"

"Come home, Damian."

Natigil ako sa pagbukas ng ref at napailing. "Ito na naman ba, Pa? Nakapagusap na tayo---"

"Nak please. Umuwi ka na. I'm sick and I need you here."

Hindi ako nakagalaw ng ilang segundo. I couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Pa, that's not a good joke." Sinarado ko ulit ang ref at sumandal sa sink. "You don't have to make up some stories just to have me back in the Philippines. I told you, I'll be home soon."

Huminga siya ng malalim. "Hindi ako nagbibiro, Damian."

I frowned and felt like my world stopped. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba. "A-anong klaseng sakit, Pa?" I had to ask even though I'm too scared to know the answer.

"I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease."

Napapikit ako at napahawak sa sink. Nanghina ako sa narinig ko.

This isn't real. I must be having a nightmare right now.

THERE IS NO F*CKING WAY THAT HE'S SICK! 

"Are you sure? Have you seek medical professionals all around the world? Bakit parang biglaan po 'yan? Sino po ba 'yang doctor mo? Is he the best in the country? Baka naman mali siya ng nakita sa mga results---"

"Napakarami ko nang nilapitang mga doctor pero iisa lang ang sinasabi nilang lahat. I certainly have it." His voice broke and I could imagine my tough father trying to hold his tears. "Son, I've been keeping this for a long time. Ayokong maawa kayo sa akin at isipin niyong mahina akong tao. Ayoko ring mahirapan kayo kaya hangga't kaya ko, tinago ko. But I can feel it, Damian. Soon I won't be able to work."