Silhouettes of the Past | ✓

37

Kinakabahan ako dahil hindi ko naman in-expect na uupo sa harap ko ang daddy niya, napalunok ako at mabilis na uminom sa aking kape. 

“Please be calm hija.” Saad ng Daddy niya. I smiled awkwardly, hindi ko talaga alam kung paano ba dapat ako kikilos sa kaniyang harapan. 

“Pasensiya na po, ” mahinang saad ko. Pinagpapawisan ako kahit na malakas naman ang air-conditioning system nila rito. Anong sasabihin niya sa akin?

Lihim akong huminga ng malalim habang nakatingin sa cappuccino na hawak ko. 

“I understand,” saad ni Sir Karlson Lopez bago sinabi ang kaniyang order sa waiter na lumapit sa amin.

“I’ve never saw my son as happy as he was five years ago.” Napabalik ang tingin ko sa kaniya pero nakapako ang tingin niya sa maglolo na nakikipagtawanan habang kausap ang isang barista.

“Thank you for making him like that, even if it was fleeting.” Napakurap ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

It remind me of the footage I just watched three months ago. That’s the thought he said to his son when Kai was fighting so hard for us not to separate.

“S-Sir it. . .” I don’t know what to say next. I gulped before sipping on my coffee again and roaming my eyes on the vicinity. I’m so sorry Sir but I just can’t collect myself and I don’t know what’s happening to my dumb self as of the moment.

Bahagya siyang natawa kaya naman napalunok ako.

“Sabi kong h’wag kang ma-tense e, pero dahil iyan ang nararamdaman mo I won’t invalidate it.” Nakangiti niyang saad. Tumango naman ako bago ngumiti.

“Pasensiya na po, hindi lang po kasi ako sanay.” Saad kong nagpapakatotoo. Umiling siya para bang sinasabing ayos lang iyon.

“I would actually feel the same way if I am on your shoe.” Saad niya at sumimsim sa kape niyang kadadala lang ng waiter.

“Anyway, congratulations nga pala sa case ng mommy mo. Deserve niyo iyon hija.”

It warms my heart, I smiled at him and bit the corner of my cheek to stop myself from crying. I heaved a heavy breath before letting out a nervous chuckle. My own way of hushing myself.

“Sorry po, I just felt like crying that’s why I acted weird.” I don’t know but it made me go back in time. There’s just something about these Lopezes that made me open up to them, easily. 

They were like a comforter who would send you warmth during rainy days; an umbrella to cover you from the heat of the scorching sun and a raincoat to give you shelter when the clouds are crying. 

“It’s not weird for me. You know when my son feels like crying he would recite the Philippine Constitution. Then when he found himself crying he would always put the blame to his brain kasi marupok daw. Little did he know siya mismo ang marupok hindi lang brain niya.” He said shaking his head. 

”I think I should agree po.” Nangingiting sambit ko. I remember so many times when he was so against me pero kapag paulit-ulit kong sinasabi or kini-kiss siya ay tumitiklop siya bigla.

“Right? Mabuti na lang at nasa tamang tao naman.” I felt my cheek heated.

“But I still want him to have a hard time dealing with you against his beliefs.” He added chuckling heartily. Napatawa ako, parang gusto ko rin ng ganoon.

“Pwede niyo po akong asahan sa pagkontra sa beliefs niya. Masyado naman po kasing maraming nalalaman ang lalaking iyon.”

“I agree. And oh, I can’t wait.” Malakas kaming napatawa kaya naman nakita ko siya na lumingon sa direksiyon namin.