At the late of a night, a man around the age of five-and-sixty sat on his swivel chair as he downed a glass of neat bourbon. His eyebrows were thick, the wrinkles on his face were visible, he wore eyeglasses, yet his beard was shaved.
A younger man entered his study, as though bearing bad news.
"So?"
"Wala pa rin, papa. Hindi pa rin siya gumigising hanggang ngayon. He's still in a state of comatose."
He rose from his seat and pulled his son in a warm embrace. He had an intimidating aura about him and yet he was a softie.
"He's going to be fine. The blood of the Corpuzes is strong. Lumalaban yang si Noah. I know it. Magpakatatag ka lang, Manuel."
"I know. I'm trying, dad. Pero bakit ganun? Parang sunod sunod yung trahedya sa buhay natin eh. Una si mom, si Kuya Jacob, yung asawa ko... ngayon naman ang anak ko. Kailan ba magtatapos toh?"
The old man patted the shoulder of his son, as though trying to comfort him.
"I wish I had the answer, but I'm afraid that even in my old age, my wisdom is at a limit. Ang alam ko lang, Manuel, ay matatapos rin ang lahat ng ito."
Father and son had their moment. Fair to say that they have a healthy family dynamic.
Maya maya pa ay pumasok ang sekretarya niya upang maibigay ang mga company reports.
"Sir Ronald?"
"Thank you, Beverly."
Kinuha niya ang mga dokyumento sabay suot ng reading glass niya at tila'y masaya siya sa mga impormasyong nakalakip rito.
"The world is not as cruel, son. Sa kabila ng mga paghihirap natin, may mga magagandang balita rin. Our company prospers and I have you to thank for that."
Manuel tries to muster a smile for Ronald. Masaya siya na proud sa kanya ang ama niya, pero deep inside, gusto niya ring sundin yung passion niya. This was not it. And Ronald was no fool.
"Anak, alam ko na hindi ito ang pinangarap mo. I know that you dream of becoming a doctor. And I am really sorry na ako ang naging hadlang sa mga pangarap ko. Kung ako lang, I would not pass this burden to you. Kung ako lang, I would handle this on my own," Ronald said empathetically as he pat his son's shoulder. He was genuine with his words. He is a very loving father at kahit hindi siya perpekto, sinusubukan niyang pasayahin ang lahat.
Ang kaninang nakayukong si Manuel, ngayon ay nakatingin ng diretso sa kay Ronald. He nodded. He understood obligation towards family and he does not resent them for his current circumstance.
"Pero hindi rin naman ako immortal. Kaya naiintindihan mo rin siguro kung bakit ikaw nalang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko ngayon?"
Muling tumango si Manuel, not in a robot-like manner, but as a son who loves his family dearly.
"Family is always and forever, son."
"Yes, dad. Makakaasa kayo."
"I know. I am very proud of you, Manuel. That you must always remember..." and he truly meant that. Manuel knew, which drew a genuine smile on his face. Ronald once more patted his back as he went to the table and fetched two more glasses of bourbon, handing out one to his son, and another round for himself.
He then cheerfully proposed his vision for the future, his hands gesturing left and right. Ronald was a great visionary. He said, "Hayaan mo anak, when we have enough resources, we will expand into the medical industry. Kahit magpatayo pa tayo ng ospital. Pangalanan nating 'Corpuz Medical Center'. O diba?"
BINABASA MO ANG
Sitio Maravillas
FanficMadison is a simple girl. But being in a prestigious family sets weight on her being. She may seem happy, but her eyes count a different story, a story of sorrow and loss. And here comes Kevin, the guy who will make her smile again. But this is no o...
