To Love the Dawn

37

"Papa!" Tahlia cried when her tooth got pulled out. David gently washed her face to make her feel better. Unlike us, Tahlia is scared of blood.

"It's okay, baby. Papa and Mama are here. Thank you for being a strong girl." David kissed Tahlia's cheeks as he carried her. "Does crying make you feel better? If yes, don't be afraid to cry more. It doesn't make you weak."

"S-sakit..." Tahlia was pointing at the position where she lost a tooth. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha't sipon niya. "S-sakit 'to..."

"Let's eat ice cream. It'll lessen the sakit. Is that okay po?" Tumango naman kaagad si Tahlia kay David. Natigil na rin siya sa pag-iyak. "But Mommy will clean you up first. I'll be back."

"Be back, Daddy!" David made Tahlia sit on the countertop of the bathroom. Para siguro hindi ako mahirapan dahil bumibigat na si Tahlia. "Mommy, when are we going to see Rapunzel?"

"When Daddy is finished with all his work, we will see Rapunzel, okay? Daddy's still busy with his exams. When Daddy becomes a doctor, we'll go to Disney Land for a celebration." I started cleaning her up. Hindi malikot si Tahlia kaya hindi rin ako nahirapan.

"Here's your ice cream, my love." Tuwang-tuwa si Tahlia nang abutan siya ni David ng ice cream. "You know, anak, Mama and Papa can be your Rapunzel and Flynn Rider."

"Really, Daddy?! Show me then!"

"Okay, but we'll have our clothes fixed first." Tumango naman si Tahlia. Ang daling mauto tulad ko.

David became a doctor at a young age. He's now taking his specialization. Our friends are professionals now. Pia and Qamari became flight attendants at PhilAero. Clara became a nurse at Hernandez Hospital. Rissa is abroad, working as an architect. And Larrick is studying law after becoming a CPA.

I continued my business... And I invested in other businesses as well. Nag-expand ang small business ko at nagkaroon na rin ako ng assistants. I supported my own family. Dahil naubos na namin ang pera ni David. His family supported him with his dreams. But we were too afraid to ask for help. Kaya kinaya ko...

Ang plano namin ni David na ikasal bago siya maging doktor ay naglaho na. Bukod sa wala kaming pera para ro'n, ay naubusan na rin kami ng oras para sa ibang bagay. Maging civil wedding ay hindi na namin maabot-abot. David's grandfather was pushing us to marry each other as soon as possible. But little did he know that we were struggling.

"Can you kiss papa?" Nilingon ko ang mag-ama ko. Kaagad namang lumapit si Tahlia kay David upang humalik. "I love you, anak."

"Daddy, when are you going to spend time with us? You're always in the hospital. And when you're at home, you're always sleeping. You don't even kiss Mommy now."

David looked at me when Tahlia said that. I saw guilt in his eyes. When he looked back at Tahlia, he smiled.

"I'm sorry, my love. Daddy's just too busy with school and work-"

"Being busy isn't an excuse, Daddy! If you really love us, you'll make time for us!" Tahlia's eyes were covered with tears as soon as she finished her sentence. "My classmate Aida tells stories about how her father shows his love. He makes time for Aida. He spends time with Aida. He gives her gifts. Her... Her father gives her u-unlimited hugs... and kisses."

"Tahlia," I went closer to them. "It's different with your papa. He may not give you gifts, unlimited hugs and kisses, and spend time with you, but he loves you. Papa having no time for you only means that he's working hard for your future. That's how your papa shows his love for you."