Manila Girl

Chapter 3

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras, nagbook agad ako ng flight pauwi ng Cebu.

Mabuti nalang at may available flight ng 9pm kaya ginarab ko na and during flight I'm crying the whole time and i look terrible.

Dad, please wait for me.

I know can't do anything to help him but i know — somehow my presence will make him feel better.

Nagsisisi tuloy ako kung bakit hindi ako masyado nakakatawag sa kanya, sa kanila ni Mama. Na i always decline every time they invited me na magbakasyon dahil sobrang demanding sa time ng trabaho ko.

Hindi ko na sila nabigyan ng time.

And i feel a horrible daughter.

Pero sisihin ko man ang sarili ko ay huli narin.

Sinundo ako ng family driver namin sa airport at dumaretso kami sa hospital kung saan naka confined si Papa.

Umiyak agad si Mama ng makita ako.

Magyakap kami, both crying and worried.

"Mabuti at nakauwi ka Jill." Nakangiti parin si Mama kahit umiiyak.

I feel bad. "I'm sorry Ma."

Mother wipe my tears using her thumb. "Ang importante ay nandito ka na."

"But how is father?" I asked worriedly.

Napatingin si Mama sa pintuan ang operating room. "Ilang oras na hindi parin tapos ang operasyon sa Papa mo."

Nangilid ang luha ko. "He will be alright." Pagpapalakas ko sa loob ni Mama. She needs it more than me. "Father is brave, he is definitely a fighter."

"He is." Mother agreed.

And we waited for hours and hours since it's heart surgery.

It's 3 in the morning ng lumabas ang doctor.

Nagising si Mama at nilapitan namin agad si Doc.

"Kamusta po ang asawa ko?" Tanong ni Mama.

Tinanggal ni Doc ang facemask nya at hair net, he is a young man probably around my age. "Surgery is successful." Grabe para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. "But the first 48 hours is critical."

Nagpasalamat kami ni Mama kay Doc.

We ask for private room with ICU para mas mamonitor namin ang condition ni Papa.

I just stand and looking at my father laying in bed with apparatus and machine attached to him.

My father is a good man and everybody loves him. That's why it pain me to see him like this.

Tumayo si Mama sa tabi ko. "Get some rest Iha."

"It's okay Ma, hindi naman po ako pagod." At nilingon ko si Mama. "Kayo po dapat ang magpahinga."

"I can't." She release a heavy and long sigh. "Not until your father wakes up."

My parents love each other very much. Wala silang naging issue like cheating — my farther is devoted to my mother since the first time he has seen her.

He used to tell me it was love at first sight and it hits him hard.

Of course i found it funny and very cringe — i know love nowadays is not for everybody including me.

I never had a decent relationship, only fling. Why? Hindi ko alam. Maybe I'm not ready, besides I'm not even thinking about it.

Then i remember to call Marrol para sabihin sa kanya ang nangyari.