Faith, Hope and Love

Chapter 23

The next morning, pagkatapos na ihatid si Louise at Winston sa bagong nilipatan ay agad na umuwi si William para kausapin ang anak. Si Hope. He didn't mean to hurt his daughter's feelings, he didn't mean to hurt his daughter, nadala lamang sya ng galit kaya nya nagawa 'yon sa anak at nasabi ang mga bagay na hindi dapat. He understands Hope, he does.

Nakita nya si Hope na pababa ng hagdan, nakita na rin naman sya ni Hope ngunit blangko ang itsura nito sa ama.
"Hope, pwede ba tayong mag-usap?" He asked. Hope's aura did not change. Tiningnan lang nya ang ama at tumuloy sa kusena.
"Hope, please. Kausapin mo ako." William uttered as he followed his daughter. Hope sighed and took a glass, went to the fridge – and poured some water for herself and drank it.
"About last night, I am so sorry kung nasaktan kita at may mga nasabi ako sayo na hindi naman dapat." William started. Hope gulped her water and put the glass on the sink.
"Alam kong nasaktan kita, at hindi ko dapat sinabi sayo na umalis ka dito dahil mas may karapatan ka rito. Look, I'm sorry anak okay? I do understand that you're still hurting and you're doing your best to move on sa nangyari sa Mama mo pero sana naman maintindihan mo rin ako. Alam kong galit ka pa rin sa akin pero Hope, Tatay mo pa rin ako and I deserve your respect and understanding." William told her. She eyed her father without any hints of any emotions, her eyes were blank.
"Umalis na sila. Wala na si Louise dito. I – I have to do that para sa ikatatahimik mo. Nating lahat. Kaya sana, kahit konti manlang, makita mong ginagawa ko pa rin lahat ng makakaya ko para sa inyo." He said as he never left his eyes towards her. Hope heaved a sigh and gulped as she walked pass by William. William just shut his eyes and took a deep breaths as he massaged his temple.

1 Week Later:

Faith and Dianne went to the hospital para puntahan si Katie. Hindi pa rin naman sigurado si Faith kung nandoon na nga si Katie dahil hindi rin naman sya nakatanggap ng tawag mula sa mga nurses na iniwanan nya ng calling card. Magbabaka-sakali na lamang sila na sana ay nandoon na nga ang taong hinahanap.
"Sigurado ka na ba dito?" Dianne asked Faith. Faith nodded her head and look around.
"Yes, Tita. Sana lang nandito na sya, naka balik na sya. Kung hindi pa naman, pwede naman po tayong bumalik sa ibang mga araw. But right now, let's just hope na nandito na nga sya." Faith replied.
"Okay." Dianne replied. Lumapit sila sa isang nurse at nagtanong, tinuro naman sila sa isang tao kaya lumapit sila doon. Sinabi ang pakay at naghintay.
"Ah Ma'am, deritso po kayo sa 3rd floor. Paglabas nyo po ng elevator, right side lang po kayo. Deritso lang po kayo hanggang sa malapit na po kayo sa – bago po kayo dumating sa hagdananan pa-exit po, turn left po may makikita kayong visitor's lounge area, nandon lang po ang sekretarya ni Ma'am Katie, sya po ang maghahatid sa inyo sa opisina nya." The woman told them.
"3rd floor, okay. Thank you!" Faith replied. She looked at Dianne and then nods. Dianne smiled at the woman and followed Faith to the elevator. Sinunod nila ang deriksyong sinabi sa kanila at nakarating nga sila sa visitor's lounge at agad nakita ang babaeng naka-pwesto sa di kalayuan.
"Hi! Ahmmm. I'm Faith Cordova, we're here to see Mrs. Benitez. Nandito ba sya?" Faith asked politely. The woman smiled at them, greets them and said yes. She then lead them to Katie's office. The woman stop in front of the door, and knocked. She then peek inside.
"Ma'am Katie, may naghahanap po sa inyo." She told.
"Sino? Sige papasukin mo." They heard from the inside and the woman gestured them to come in.

Faith was stunned, tila ba napako ang mga paa sa kinatatayuan. Is she ready for this? Handa na ba syang makaharap ang taong kamukha ng ina – O ang ina? Her heart beats fast as her hands became numb. Para bang lahat ay nawala sa wesyo.
"Faith, are you okay?" Tanong ni Dianne nang hindi pa rin sya gumagalaw. Nakita nya kung papaano lumunok si Faith kaya hinawakan nito ang kamay at maraang pinisil.
"Nandito na tayo. We're here to know the truth. So compose yourself and be in yourself right now, Faith." Dianne then whispered enough for her to hear.