Chasing Stars

special chapter 1

"Papa. Let's go." Tala called me.

I smiled at her. "Saglit lang naman, anak. Kailangan gwapo ako ngayon."

She giggled. "You are handsome, no matter what papa."

Bumaba na kami at sumakay ng kotse. Deretso ng sementeryo. Sa puntod ng asawa ko.

It's been two years.

But still the pain is still here. I'm just being strong right now for my daughter.

Natigil ako sa paglakad papalapit sa puntod nya ng makita ang pamilyar na mukha.

"Enzo.."

My brow furowed. "What are you doing here?"

"Binibisita lang namin ang anak namin." Tiara's mother said.

"Ha! At ngayon nyo lang sya naisipan na bisitahin? Ngayon pa na wala na sya?" puno ng hinanakit na tanong ko.

"We don't know she's sick." Her father said.

"You don't know because you don't care. Because you never care." Sumbat ko.

"Papa..." Tala called me. Humigpit ang pagkakahwak nito sa kamay ko.

I look at her and smiled.

"Is she our apo?" Tiara's mother asked.

"No." Matigas na sabi ko. "Please excuse us. I hope we'll never meet again." Sabi ko at nilampasan na sila.

I'm sorry asawa ko. I'm not as kind as you to forgive them.

Nang makarating sa puntod nya at ipinatong ko ang bouquet ng pulang rosas sa puntod nya. May bulaklak pa sa puntod nya na mukhang galing sa magulang nya.

"Happy anniversary asawa ko." Bati ko dito.

We stayed here for a while. Panay ang kwento ni Tala ng mga nangyari sa kanya sa school at nakikinig lang ako at alam kong nakikinig din sya. Dito na din kami kumain ni Tala bago umuwi. At sa pag-uwi namin ay napuno na naman ng pangungulila ang puso ko.

Pinatulog ko muna si Tala sa kwarto nya bago ako bumaba at kumuha ng beer saka lumabas at naupo kung saan kami palagi umuupo ni Tiara.

I look at the sky. There are a lot of stars but there's this one star who's the brightest of them all.

I smiled.

"I'm sorry if I need to drink. I just miss you. I miss you so much." I explained.

I sighed and stared at the brightest star.

"I love you." I mouthed to the star.

"I love you so much and I'll never get tired of loving you." I whispered.

Years have passed again without her.

I am busy taking care of my daughter and the company. Kahit sobrang busy ko ay gumagawa ako ng paraan para ihatid sundo sya sa school at makapagbonding kami every Sunday. Minsan naman ay kinukuha sya nila mom at mukhang ayaw pang ibalik sa akin ang anak ko kapag napapaunta ito doon.

"Happy birthday to you....." we sang.

Tala blow the candle on her cake.

This is her nineth birthday and it's just a small celebration. Just the family memebers and close friends are invited.

"What's your birthday wish, sweetie?" mom asked to Tala.

Tala smiled. "I want papa to happy."

Everyone look at me and I smiled to Tala.

Nilapitan ko ito at niyakap.

"I love you, anak." I said.

"I love you too, papa."

The party started and everyone is enjoying.

"Hey!"

Nilingon ko nagsalita.

It's Art.

"Kamusta?" he asked.

"Still breathing." I answered.

He chuckled. "It's been years." He said talking about her.

"Yeah. It's been years but still its hard for me to believe that she's not here anymore."

He sighed.

I look at him. "Tell me. Do you have a girlfriend now?"

He shrugged his shoulder.

I raised a brow on him. "Don't tell me you still like my wife?"

He look at me.

"Fuck you!" I cussed.

He chuckled. "She's my first love, Enzo. It's hard to forget her or move on for only four years."

"First love? What do you mean? You know what nagtataka rin ako eh. Kung paano mo nagustuhan ang asawa ko at bakit?"

"I knew her back in highschool. She's the girl I told you I like."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nito. "What?! Akala ko ay hindi mo na sya nakita."

The girl he always talk about who help him noong nanakawan sya noong high school at umuulan pa. The girl who lend him money and lend him umbrella. It's her?

Fuck!

"Well.. mukhang pinagtagpo ulit kami pero hindi itinadhana."

"Damn you! Why didn't you told me?"

"Why should I tell you? Will you give her to me?"

"Fuck no! No way!"

He chuckled. "Let's go for a drink sometimes."

I nodded.

Nang matapos ay party at nakaalis na ang lahat ay naupo ako kung saan ko palaging pinapanood ang mga bituin. At naroroon pa din ang pinakamakinang na bituin.

"I love you asawa ko. I wont get tired of loving you...."

Hope ya' enjoy reading!

Hope ya' like it!

2023