Chapter 3

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Chapter Three
#EY03

"Good morning, mayor!" The restaurant staff greeted my father and welcomed us. Ngumiti lang si Daddy sa kanila.

This is one of the rare times my parents and I will eat outside on weekends. I know they will ask how I'm doing. I must be happy, but I don't like how formal the setup is. We should've just done this over dinner at home.

Dad helped my mother with her seat. I watch him hold the small part of her back as he pulls out the chair. They were never the sweet type of couple. But they never fight as well. They obviously lack quality time because of their burning passion for their respective careers, but I always hear them exchanging the three words. They're so full of words of affirmation. Sobrang kalmado lang ng relasyon.

"What do you want, Rish?" Mom asked while looking at the menu.

"Truffle pasta po," sagot ko.

"Hon?" She asked Dad this time.

"Kung anong sa'yo," he replied and Mom nodded.

Daddy's not the typical politician who always has bodyguards around. When we go out, kami lang talaga. And I like it. His presence alone already draws attention from people, what more if there are uniformed men tailing us. I'm also proud that he's doing his job because that's what he's passionate about. Being a public servant needs a genuine heart. At least I can be proud to say that my father has that.

I've never been in love nor liked someone romantically. But when it happens, I want my relationship to have what my parents have. Their relationship looks peaceful and simple. They don't look tired of each other. They don't look exhausted. I want that.

"How's school?" Mom's question was so sudden.

Daddy looked at me. As his daughter, I was always the smart and good-at-everything girl. I was the valedictorian back in primary school, and finished as first rank during junior highschool with multiple medals and awards. And to think that I have a tight spot right now in senior highschool makes it hard for me to update them.

"Doing good po," I answered.

Mommy nodded. "When's the recognition?"

"Matagal pa po." Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tinidor. Matagal pa para mabawi ko ang pwesto kay Alpas.

"Mayor! Mayor!" Our talk was interrupted by a shout from someone. He's calling my dad repeatedly. I looked at the door and saw the guard trying to restrict the middle aged man to get inside.

Daddy stood up and raised his hand to the guard, telling him to stop. Lumapit si Daddy doon sa lalaki na ngayo'y umaliwalas ang mukha. Hope appeared on his face as my father stretched more towards him. Dad held his hand and pulled him towards our table.

May kaunting hiyang umukit sa mukha ng lalaki. "Pasensya na po sainyo, mga ma'am. Kailangan ko lang talagang makahingi ng tulong kay Mayor."

Mom and I smiled at him. Dad helped him sit on the vacant spot beside him and offered the drink that he never touched.

"Ano pong nangyari?" Dad asked him.

"Yung anak ko po kasi Mayor nasa ospital. Kailangan nang operahan kaso walang-wala po talaga ako. Lumapit po ako sa opisina niyo ngunit may mga prosesong kailangan gawin para makakuha. Hindi po ako marunong magbasa o magsulat. Hindi ko po alam ang mga prosesong may kinalaman sa papeles. Nakiusap po akong kausapin na lang kayo direkta ngunit kailangan daw talagang dumaan sa legal na proseso. . ."

I gulped. So there's really someone like him who has nothing in life? It must be tough for his child to live like that. To wake up everyday hearing nothing but screams for help. For the nth time, I realized again how privileged I am.

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