Play Pretend

Chapter 52

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 52
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Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay ni Cami habang papalabas kami sa departure area. She could walk on her own, but I was afraid she might trip. Her legs were still a little wobbly, too. Lagi akong nag-aalala para sa kanya.

Cami was so excited. It wasn't her first time riding a plane, but she couldn't control herself. She tried her best to ask and hold a conversation with very limited words. She was fascinated all the time. She barely slept throughout the whole trip. Ni hindi ko alam kung saan pa nanggagaling ang energy niya.

"Mommy! Hot!" Pilit niyang hinuhubad mag-isa ang suot na jacket nang naramdaman ang init sa Pinas. I chuckled and helped her take it off.

Mainit sa loob ng terminal dahil mukhang hindi gumagana nang maayos ang aircon. It was such a shame that, despite being the largest airport in the country and the gateway to our capital city, the government doesn't seem to have the initiative or interest to improve its facilities. Sa dinami-dami ng nagrereklamo, walang konkretong plano o nagiging aksyon ang gobyerno para solusyunan ang problema.

Hinihintay na lang namin na makalabas sina Macy at Wil bago umalis. We were planning to eat lunch first before separating.

Gusto sana ni Macy na sa kanila na kami tumuloy ni Cami, pero kailangan kong uwian ang bahay. Napaasikaso ko naman na ang linya ng kuryente at tubig kaya walang problema. Ang kumare ni Mama na napakiusapan kong magbantay ng bahay ay siniguradong matutuluyan namin ito.

Dinala ko muna si Cami sa Duty Free habang naghihintay. Her eyes marveled at the sight of chocolate. Isa lang ang pinapili ko sa kanya. My daughter was smart enough to get M&Ms with a dispenser. Para iyong laruan lalo na't mayroon pang mascot ng chocolate sa taas. I know that's the reason she chose that. Pinagbigyan ko na rin kahit mahal dahil mukhang masaya rin.

Paalis na sana kami nang dumating sina Macy at Wil. Hindi nagpatalo si Macy at bumili ng isang candy jar ng M&Ms para mare-refillan ni Cami ang dispenser niya.

My daughter looked like she just won the lottery. Unang araw pa lang sa Pilipinas at parang ayaw niya nang bumalik sa sobrang tuwa. Ayaw niya na ngang umalis sa Duty Free. Nahirapan kaming ayain siya para kumain na at makapagpahinga.

We were all tired from the long flight except Cami kaya sa malapit na restaurant na lang kami kumain. Pagkatapos ay kanya-kanyang book na lang ng masasakyan pauwi.

Coming home from the airport, my daughter sat by the window of the car. Hawak-hawak ko siya nang maigi dahil walang car seat ang nasakyan namin. She knelt down and placed both her hands on the armrest. Her curiosity was on a different level, knowing that we were in a different country. She still asked questions, and I kept myself awake to answer them. Hindi ko talaga kayang pantayan ang energy niya.

Nang huminto ang sasakyan sa stoplight, natigil din siya sa paggalaw at kakatanong. Sinulyapan ko siya upang tingnan kung ano na ang ginagawa. Her lips were tightly pursed. Nakatitig siya sa kung ano sa labas.

"Cami," I called her attention, but she didn't answer. Hindi rin niya ako nilingon. Napakunot ang noo ko saka sinilip kung ano ang tinititigan niya sa labas.

A soft gasp escaped from my lips, and my eyes went wide open to see the huge billboard. Kumakabog ang dibdib ko sa gulat at kaba. Tiningnan ko ulit ang anak. She was in awe while staring at his picture, as if she knew she was looking at her father.

Xaiver still had that intimidating and menacing look. He seemed to be sitting on a stool for the shoot. He wore only his undershirt instead of a three-piece suit like usual. Mukha siyang artista o model ng isang sikat na luxury brand. Not much has changed with his physical looks. His eyes also didn't show any emotion. He looked more reserved and apathetic. Pero imbes na matakot sa kanya, I felt longing and pity.