Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 26

KING

"Doon na lang, Rodel." Papa Allie said, his voice broken. He had just finished crying (for the nth time since we've arrived). "Napagusapan na natin yun last time, di ba? Tamang tama dahil dala na nila yung katawan ni Daddy. Doon na lang sa chapel nila, Rodel."

"No, Allie." Papa Rodel replied. "Oo we talked about it but let me remind you na hindi ako pumayag. Bakit sa chapel pa kung pwede namang sa bahay natin?"

We're on our way back home to Manila. This time, Jason was with us and he was the one driving. I was in the front seat, busy with my phone (I was texting Jane and Kyle) while my parents were at the back. They're discussing where the wake should be held. Papa Allie was insisting to let the funeral service providers take care of everything – and that includes the wake. Papa Rodel, however, was negating the idea.

"It's not Dad's home. Nakakahiya sa'yo, kay Angelo. Ayokong maparalize yung daily activities niyo just because may wake sa bahay."

"Oh come on, Allie. He's your dad. Therefore, he's family. I don't mind. As though may mapaparalize na activities. Angelo will understand. Won't you, Son?"

"I will." I replied. "Papa Rodel's right, Papa Allie. This is our last chance to make it up to him. He's family therefore we should do it at home. I insist."

"See?" Papa Rodel said.

"OK. I give up. Pagtulungan niyo ba naman ako eh. O sige na. Thank you ha?"

"You're welcome." "You're welcome, Papa Allie."

"Basta 3 days lang. Hindi ko rin kasi kaya na matagal. Malulungkot lang ako lalo."

They went on with their conversation and I continued what I was doing on my phone.

"Kumusta na po, Sir?" Jason asked to my surprise. "Suplado niyo po ah. Kanina ko pa kayo tinitignan."

"I'm sorry, Jason." I said guiltily. "I'm just preoccupied. I'm OK aside from the fact that I'm sad because of what happened to Grandpa. Ikaw?"

"OK naman po. Simula po ngayon magiging driver na ako ng family mo. Excited na akong lumuwas ng Maynila."

I smiled. "I know why."

"Sir?" he asked innocently.

I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing."

He smiled too. "Ikaw talaga Sir." How cute. No wonder my uncle loses it like that. I can't blame him.

"So what can you say about my Uncle? Was I correct, when I said he's really good looking and hot?" I asked, almost in a whisper so my parents wouldn't hear.

"Totoo po Sir. Wala na 'kong hahanapin pang iba." he said proudly.

"I'm happy for you and my Uncle Marco."

"Salamat po, Sir. Katext niyo po ba siya ngayon? Pupunta po ba siya sa lamay mamaya?"

"No, we're not texting. But he'll be there. That's for sure."

Jason stopped talking and I decided to take a nap. We still had miles to go and it was going to be a long night. I would be needing a lot of strength in the coming days. If my Grandpa's journey already ended, ours (mine and Kyle's) is just about to start. I am not so sure of what tomorrow holds, but I am not afraid. As long as Kyle is with me, I can endure almost everything.

*
I took a leave from work for several days. The following days really put my physical strength to a test. As planned, the wake was held at home. A lot of people came to pay their respects and to say goodbye to my grandfather. And while we have servants, there was a lot to do so I had to help them.