The Depth Within

Chapter 62

ANDY did not anticipate finding herself in her father's office again. Kusang loob siyang pumunta para makausap ang ama na walang pag-aatubiling pinatuloy siya.

"What would you like to drink?" he inquired, his face unusually bright because of her sudden appearance.

"Just a glass of water, please."

Mabilis ang naging galaw ni Jonathan. Agad siya nitong pinagsilbihan, pagkatapos niyon ay umupo ito sa executive chair sa tapat niya. Between them is a desk piled high with papers.

"I'm sorry for this mess," ani Jonathan nang mapansin na roon nakatuon ang atensyon niya.

Pinilig niya ang kaniyang ulo. "Ha?" She was not listening kaya litong tumingin siya sa ama na confused din sa naging reaksyon niya.

Matagal siyang tinitigan nito. His confused look was instantly replaced by worry. "Is there something bothering you, anak?"

Mariin siyang umiling. Dinala niya ang isang kamay sa ulo at pinadaan iyon sa kaniyang buhok.

"Nandito ka ba para pag-usapan iyong tungkol sa offer ko sa 'yo dati?" Ang tinutukoy ni Jonathan ay iyong huling punta niya sa bahay ng mga ito kasama si Ion. Nakasabay nila sa hapunan ang grandparents niya sa side ng ama na hindi naging maganda ang pakikitungo sa kaniya, lalo na si Leila. She remembers that they had a conversation about her living with them, which she totally refused.

"No. Hindi ako pumunta rito para do'n," sagot niya. "I-I. . . I want to ask you about something."

"Ano 'yon?"

She bit the inside of her lower. Umiwas siya rito ng tingin. "What do you think of him?" She breathe. "Ano ang masasabi mo kay Ion?"

Mukhang hindi inasahan ni Jonathan ang tanong niya rito. He was frozen for a moment, visibly addled. "Why are you suddenly. . ."

"Gusto ko lang malaman. Between us, mas marami kang nalalaman dahil matagal mo na siyang kilala. You were friends with his family, not to mention, he and Danica were ex couple." The last words were like bitter food she was forced to swallow.

"He's a good man, Andy," he replied but in restraint.

"What do you think of him for me? Minsan ba naisip mo na hindi tama na naging kami dahil may nakaraan sila ni Danica?"

"Andy. . ."

"Gaano ba nila kamahal ang isa't isa noon, dad?"

Lumambot pang lalo ang mukha ni Jonathan nang marinig ang huling sinabi niya. For him, it felt like it was the first time she called him 'dad'. But at the same time, he could the pain in his daughter's voice.

"Gusto mo ba talagang malaman?" tanong nito.

Kinuyom ni Andy ang dalawa niyang kamay na nakapatong sa kaniyang hita bago mabagal na tumango.

"Noong malaman ko ang tungkol sa inyo, sinubukan kong kausapin siya. Naaalala mo pa ba noong araw, after the night we met again at nalaman mo ang totoo tungkol sa amin ni Vickie, pumunta ka sa bahay ni Ion only to find me there with him?" Sinalubong nito ang mga mata niya. "Hindi mo narinig ang pinag-usapan namin, but I made him choose between you and Danica."

Her lips gaped. "Bakit?"

"I saw myself from him. Looking at your relationship makes me look back from the past. Ion's a good man, yes, but he's still indecisive and cowardly like I was when we were at the same situation," he said.

Kumurap siya.

"Are you having doubts? Alam kong nahihirapan ka ngayon, even worse nasasaktan—"

"You don't know anything," putol niya rito. "Nagkamali siguro ako sa pagpunta ko rito. I shouldn't have gone here." Tumayo siya at ganoon din ang ginawa ng tatay niya sa kagustuhan na pigilan siya.