The Fortunate

45

THIRD PERSON

He is casually driving after a partnership meeting when he noticed a memorable spot. He went out of the car, tirik na tirik pa ang araw ngunit hindi niya na inabala pang magbitbit ng payong.

He stood exactly at where he provided a shadow for her before. He looked down, reminiscing how he spent his break time, watching her painting the wall.

It was their first trip, a volunteer work together with her friends.

"It's beautiful," he muttered. "Everything you do is beautiful," he heaved a long sigh.

"I miss you so much," he pressed his lips and continue staring at her wall art.

He pouted, "You must be happy now,"

It's almost two years since she left home. He has no news about her, everyday is a struggle for him to continue stepping forward.

He knows that that was her choice, he can't force her to come back, wala na rin naman siyang updated na contact nito.

But he still treats her as his wife.

He kept on looking, pretending that Sula is still there, painting. Until he heard a sudden click of a camera.

He looked on the side, just to notice a little girl with a shocked expression. May hawak itong phone at mukhang takot na takot ito dahil nahuli siya ni Joaquin.

He chuckled and gestured her to come close. "It's okay, do I look good there?"

She immediately smiled and nodded. "But you should ask permission first before taking pictures of strangers, is that alright?"

"Opo!" She excitedly responded.

"Mister, can I take a picture of you?" She politely asked.

"Can you?" He asked back, making the little girl giggle.

He faced the camera and smiled. He went closer to the wall so that Sula's art will be included as background.

"Darlene!" Napatingin silang dalawa sa kung sinong sumigaw.

"Jusko kang bata ka malalagot ako kay Raya sa'yo eh!" Hinihingal nitong sambit. Tinawanan lang siyang bata.

"Oh," he bowed at Joaquin. Dahil sa mayamang awra nito ay bigla nalang siyang nakaramdam ng hiya.

"Sorry po!" He apologized.

Joaquin just chuckled and shook his head. "Your daughter?"

"Ah, hehe. Pinakisuyuan lang po akong ihatid pauwi itong bata. Pasensya na po ah," he scratched his nape.

"It's fine,"

"Kinuhaan mo ba ng picture si sir, ha? Burahin mo 'yon, bad 'yon, Darlene," panenermon nito sa bata habang kino-confiscate ang phone na hawak nito.

"It's okay. Don't worry,"

"Pasensya na po talaga kayo Sir, mahilig po kasi itong batang magpicture, tapos ikukuwento niya sa mama niya pagkauwi," he nervously laughed as he scratch his nape.

"Cute," he said.

It somehow reminded him of Sula, she takes random pictures so that she could talk about it once she goes to her mother's grave. He also did that before they get married. He wasn't even aware that he's doing it in daily basis the time that they are still together.

He loves taking candid pictures of his wife whenever he has a chance. When she sleeps, doing laundry, making coffee, or doing take-home works.

"Tito! Nakatitig siya sa painting ni mama!" She exclaimed.