Where My Heart Lies Between

Chapter 10: Lukso ng Dugo

Meanwhile—

Bongbong

"Sir! Stopover muna tayo!" manong Troi exclaimed after we heard something popping from outside with our car almost gonna crash sideways.

"Sige sige," sabi ko at napaliko na lang kami sa bandang Quezon Memorial Circle.

Magaling magpark ng maayos kaya di kami gaano nadisgrasya. Nang bumaba kami ng sasakyan, kita namin na na-flatan yung front tire with it's hole at the bottom.

"Jusko. Good thing may back-up sa likod. Bilisan mo ng pag-aayos," I reprimanded him and he obliged.

"Remind mo lang si sir Chavit na baka-malalate tayo," Vic reminded as I grabbed my phone from my pocket and texted sir Chavit as told.

Umupo muna ako sa bench, waiting for the tire to be replaced while feeling the breeze of August with my eyes wandering the whole surroundings for no reason. Bungad ng pagbukas muli ng phone ko is nakatitig lang sa lockscreen wallpaper where it exposes the photo that warmed my heart: my Liza in her hospital gown, lovingly gazing at my Annaliese cradled in her arms.

"It's been 16 years na pala, anak ko. Hay... I'm  now here at this place where di ko aakalain na huling bonding natin sana. Not until these people came and–" I uttered softly while feeling the chills towards my spine as if I'm living at that sensation again. "*sighs* –ayun. Musta ka na ngayon, anak? If I got the chance to see you again, will you forgive Daddy for what I've done? Makakayakap ba kita? Can I hear your giggles? Your voice? Kahit ngayon lang? Daddy misses you sobra."

I couldn't take this feeling anymore, kaya nilapag ko lang sa tabi ko at iniiyakan ko lang. The pain is still fresh as before, that I hugged myself with my face down na ayokong mahalata ng mga tao rito na iiyak na ako.(kokonti lang yung tao rito, but still–)

"I'm sorry if Daddy failed you," I sobbed silently.

"Bong!" I was flustered when Vic called me, "ok na pala."

I rapidly wiped my tears with my panyo at dumeretso ako sa kotse. Not until we slowly left the place, I dug my hand in my pocket and...

"Jusko! Yung cellphone ko!" I said, panicking. "Naiwan ko dun sa inuupuan ko," I added.

"Balikan po natin sir, baka may kumuha na agad," sabi ni manong Troi and managed to make a U-turn safely hanggang sa nakabalik na kami sa circle.

"What's going on?" pabiglang tanong ni Vic nung pababa na ako ng kotse.

"Naiwan ko yung phone ko! Sandali lang Vic, baka nandun pa rin yun!" I replied and hastily made my way to the park bench where I sat kanina, now was occupied by a young lady.

Nung nakita niya na patungo ako sa pwesto neto, she grabbed a device which I can recognize what it was saka tumayo sa kinauupuan niya at lumapit siya sa akin.

"S-sir!" tawag niya sa akin, "baka eto po yung cellphone na hinanap mo po kanina pa," sambit ko sabay binigay niya sa akin yung phone ko.

"Salamat hija, buti naman at nakita mo 'to." I thanked her with a smile, sabay binulsa niya yung phone neto.

"Nakita ko lang po dun sa inuupuan kong bench sir," sabi niya sabay subo ng ice scramble gamit ng plastic na kutsara.

"Buti naman," sabi ko.

For some reason... I found myself staring at her face and it's features. Kahit na naka-facemask at face shield ang bata, I observed that her eyes are small, sparkling, at nakalugay ang buhok niya with her off-white headband on.