To Love the Dawn

28

"Papa..." Napalingon sa amin si David nang banggitin iyon ni Tahlia. Kaagad siyang lumapit at hinintay ang susunod na sasabihin ng anak. "Papa!"

"Oh God, did she just say papa?" Our 1-year-old daughter giggled when her papa held her tiny hand. "She likes her papa so much."

"David, can you please check on my family? Gusto ko lang malaman kung ayos lang sila." I smiled weakly as David looked straight into my eyes. It was as if he was analyzing me. "I... I miss them. But I don't think I deserve them in my life. Their words weren't only words, they were daggers."

"I'm sorry you had to experience it." I was so shocked when David kissed my temple. "You have me, okay? You have Tahlia. We are also your family, Sola."

"I don't regret having my own family with you, David." David smiled at me with his sweetest smile. "Ngiting-ngiti, ah."

"Are you free tomorrow? Let's go out without Tahlia. I'll ask Mom to look after our daughter-"

"Bakit hindi kasama si Tahlia?"

"You'll know, Sola."

Pinagbigyan ko si David sa gusto niya. Ang totoo ay excited ako sa gagawin namin. Today's gonna be remarkable. We haven't gone alone together for quite a long time. It's either kasama namin si Tahlia or may kasama kaming iba. We have been like that for the past months. Sometimes I think it's because we are parents now. And sometimes, I think it's because of the changes in our relationship.

David brought me to a hotel, which confused me. We waited for 30 minutes in the lobby. Nililinis pa raw kasi ang room na binook ni David. While waiting, David received a call. Nagpaalam siya sa akin na may kukuhanin lang sa hospital. Nang makaalis na siya, sinubukan kong kausapin ang nasa front desk. Hindi pa rin nila ako mapaakyat dahil hindi pa tapos ang paglilinis. I was starting to get mad.

Hindi ko alam kung kanino ako magagalit. Nagagalit ako kay David dahil iniwan niya ako rito na naghihintay. Ngunit mas nangingibabaw ang galit ko sa hotel. They were expecting us, their customers. Bakit ngayon lang sila naglilinis? I was starting to overthink things.

"Ma'am, pasensya na po talaga. Ayos na raw po 'yung room ninyo. We can assist you there po-"

"Hindi na. Thank you." I still tried to smile at them. I sighed when I managed to get inside the elevator. Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bulsa at tinext si David.

From: Mav

Sorry, emergency call lang. Bawi nalang ako later. In the meantime, rest ka muna sa room natin. I'll have your lunch delivered.

To: David (Draft)

I hope you'll stick with your plans and commitments next time.

I didn't send that. Inintindi ko nalang si David. Because I knew that he was working hard not only for himself but also for us. Sigurado akong tulad ko, hindi niya rin 'yon ginusto.

For some reason, I felt excited when I reached the suite. I tapped the key card and smiled. At least, I'm getting some good rest. But it kind of makes me feel incomplete. Maybe because Tahlia's not here. And David's not here too.

I stopped walking as I noticed a familiar smell across the room. It was David's cologne. I immediately surveyed the room and found a letter on the bed. I picked it up and gently opened it. Was this part of the room? Or maybe an apology letter from the hotel management?