Her lips; an ART

Chapter 13

Yvaine's POV

After my class, I went to my dad's office to give him his dinner that I prepared. Nagtricycle lang ako papunta dito kasi hiniram ni Jill yung car ko. His car will be delivered next week pa so he had no choice but to borrow. Medyo risky since it's already nine in the evening.

Nakaupo siya sa swivel chair habang nakatutok sa mga paper works na nasa harapan niya. He didn't even see someone entering his office. Naku! This oldie paano pala kapag ibang tao na ako that will put him in danger eh di wala na. He'll be cornered.

"Dad," lumapit ako sa upuan niya. I kissed his head. "You look tired... pahinga ka naman kahit kunti. You don't even go home anymore" nag-aalalang sabi ko.

"I'm okay anak, I need to finish this tonight" tumingin siya sa hawak kong paper bag.

"Oh I cooked for dinner... kain ka muna dad" I offered him the tupperware.

Ako na din mismo ang nagbukas at naglabas ng mga kubyertos sa ziplock. He smiled at me and decided to give his body the rest it deserve. I watched him eat while I roam my eyes around his office. I have a big portrait in his lounge area, beside it was our pictures together. I don't have any pictures that includes my mom. Dad probably burned them already. I kinda wish I'm able to keep one. For my younger self's purposes. Para lang may makita ako kapag may mga araw na namimiss kong magkaroon ng isang ina.

"You cooked the salmon just the way I like it anak.." dad said while chewing.

Inabutan ko siya ng bottled water. I haven't ask him about his feelings for my mom. If it's still there or was he so hurt that he couldn't get his self another wife. Honestly hindi naman na problema saakin kung magkaroon man siya ng second love. What's important for me right now is his happiness.

"How did you moved on with mom? Was it hard, dad?" dahan dahan at kalkulado kong tanong. Ayoko naman kasi siyang biglain sa mga tanong ko.

Natigil siya sa pagsubo. Kinabahan ako kasi baka hindi niya nagustuhan yung tanong ko. But he didn't look mad or anything close to that. He's just looking at me, maybe wondering why I'm asking him such horrible question.

"I didn't moved on I think I just lived with it,"

"Do you think you still got love for her? I mean she was your greatest love hindi naman ganun ganun lang na mawawala yung pagmamahal mo sakanya"

For years I thought I wouldn't be able to accept things that happened in my life. Maybe I'm also neglecting the idea of 'acceptance' the essence of it. Or is there even acceptance to begin with.

"Love has a deeper meaning other than how you pronounce it or how it was introduced to you. My love story with your mom wasn't perfect and we didn't end up together but I know we loved each other. There was love."

"You think you can finally say you're free from hatred?" I innocently asked. Because for me I don't think I'll move pass it.

"Of course not.. I still hate your mom and that bastard. Pero anong magagawa ko diba? The damage has been done" he cooly said.

Pinanood ko siyang ligpitin ang pinag kainan niya. We just talked for a while pa before I decided to go home. It's past 10, I wonder if may tricycle pa sa daan. Dad also insisted to drive me home but I told him I still got things to do. Sinabi ko namang uuwi din ako ng maaga.

I waited outside of my dad's office. I stood beside the road and waited. I also tried to call Jill but he's not picking up. Siguro may kinita itong babae, hindi ako naniniwala na project ang pupuntahan nun. Makakatikim na yun ng sapak saakin. Mabilis akong pumagilid nung may dumaan na motor sa harapan ko. I almost got a panic attack when it stopped in front of me. Tatakbo na sana ako para bumalik sa loob pero nung makarinig ako ng pamilyar na tawa ay mabilis akong lumapit dito para mabatukan ko siya.