La Douleur Exquise: Imee Marcos

Chapter 50

Rodrigo Roa Duterte's POV

Lumalakas na ang bawat pagpatak ng ulan, pag-tunog ng kulog at pagtama ng kidlat.

It's just me and Eloise here, kasi yung mga katulong umuwi muna, pansamantala. Para na kaming mababaliw kakahintay ng tawag.

*Ring*

Tumawag ang numero na di naka-register sa phone ko, sinagot ko lamang at in-on ang speakerphone upang marinig rin ni Eloise.

"Good afternoon, Mayor Duterte.." the man from the other line greeted.

"Hello?" saad ko.

"Sir, this is Carlyle from our rescue and response team, we would like to inform you that we are starting with the evacuation for the residents in the highlands po, since they are at risk of landslides, we've decided to transport them earlier." sabi neto.

"Okay, thank you for informing me. Just send me updates." sagot ko bago pinutol ang tawag.

I look at Eloise na natataranta na talaga.

"Hey, it'll be fine." I approach.

"Tito Rod, this is because of me." sabi niya habang tumutulo luha niya.

"She attempted to come here because of me." sabi niya habang humagulhol sa iyak.

"Hey, why are you crying ba? Don't cry or else mag-iyakan nalang tayo dito, you want?" biro ko at tinitigan lamang siya.

"Stop teasing, Tito Rod. Di nakakatuwa." sabi niya at niyakap ako.

"I can't lose her, she's the only parent I have left." sabi niya at umiiyak pa rin.

"The only functioning parent rather." sabi niya at umirap. Yep, anak talaga to ni Imee, ang taray.

"We'll wait for her, you'll get your mom back." I comforted.

"How do you do that, Tito Rod?" she asked.

"Do what?"

"Stay tough, like everything could go down to flames pero you're still tough.." she said.

"I'm not that tough, mas tough ka pa nga. In fact, you're the most tough person I know." I replied.

"That's why you need to stay tough for your mom, Mama Meldy, titos and titas, your mga kuya and your cousins, even Lorenzo, and me, your gwapong Tito Rody." I teased.

"Because, we take our toughness from you aswell.." I said.

"You're just bolero, Tito Rod.." sabi niya at tumawa.

"I'm not-" nahinto ang sagot ko nang biglang nag-ring ang phone ko.

"Hello?" sinagot ito ni Eloise.

"Mayor?" sabi nang tao sa kabilang linya.

"This is his daughter speaking!" sagot naman ni Eloise. Sana nga, you could've grown up with a dad.

"May anak pala si Mayor?.." nadinig kong nakipag-marites sila sa kabilang linya.

"Biro lang po! Here Tito Rod.." sabi ni Eloise at binigay ang phone ko. Kulit neto.

"Uy Francisco, tigil tigilan mo na yang pagiging chismoso mo diyan! May update ba?" tanong ko naman.

"Ay! Sorry po mayor, uhm oo po, may magla-landing daw po na private jet sa airport.." aniya neto.

Hay! Thank you, Lord!

"Sige, sige, thank you.. Papunta na kami.." sagot ko naman at pinutol ang tawag.

"Oh em gee! Tara na Tito Rod!!" nagmamadaling sabi ni Eloise.