INTERNAL CRIES

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33
Past

Sa bahay ni Kheeno ako nagpalipas ng gabi. Kinabukasan ay umuwi rin ako sa mansion. Naabutan ko si Daddy na kumakain sa may porch, kaya agad ko itong nilapitan at binati.

“C’mon, let’s eat, hija,” anyaya ni Daddy sa akin. Naupo ako sa harapan niya. 

“I already ate, Dad,” I said, pero nagtawag pa rin ako ng katulong para magpahatid ng tea.

Tumango lang si Daddy at pinagpatuloy ang tahimik na pagkain. I heard him blow a loud breath bago sumubo ulit ng pagkain, kaya naman ay kumunot ang noo kong nakatingin sa kanya.

“Is there a problem, Dad?” nag-aalala kong tanong.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Daddy at ginawaran ako ng ngiti bago umiling.

“I’m just thinking about your mother.” Nakangiti, pero may bahid na lungkot sa mga mata ni Daddy nang banggitin niya si Mommy. 

I don’t remember about my mother, but I saw her in the videos. She’s very beautiful, and I really look like her.

“I missed her too,” saad ko.

Daddy looked at me and smiled a little.

“You’re really like her; beautiful, cheerful, very down to earth,” nakangiting saad ni Daddy, na para bang nasa harapan niya lang si Mommy.

“I’m happy to see you happy now, McKenna. I know your mom is happy too. Wherever she is, I know that she’s happy for you,” puno ng damdaming saad ni Daddy. “She loves you so much, so do I,” he added.

Ngumiti ako. “I know, Dad, and I love you, too—both of you.”

Daddy held my hand at the top of the table, squeezed it lightly.

“I know that...” He blows a loud breath. “... that you’re seeing Kheeno,” he continued, kaya napayuko ako. 

“D-Dad...”

He smiled at me gently.

“I know that I don’t have the right to say anything about your feelings, hija, I just don't want you to get hurt,” malumanay na saad ni Daddy. “Alam ko rin na mabait si Kheeno. Ayaw ko lang na magpadalos-dalos ka sa desisyon mo. Gusto ko lang na siguraduhin mo muna kung ano ba talaga ang nararamdaman mo para sa kanya.”

Tumango ako. I get Daddy's point. Alam kong ayaw niya lang na masaktan ako.

“I understand, Dad.” I smiled at him gently. “But I think... I’ve fallen in love with Kheeno, Dad,” nakayukong pag-amin ko.

Daddy sighed. “I know. I know, hija. I am not against it, ayaw ko lang na pangunahan ka sa nararamdaman mo. Gusto kong kilalanin mo muna siya ng husto.” Tumango ako.

Pumasok ako sa bahay matapos naming mag-usap ni Daddy. I also received text messages from Rhom and Joysie, kasunod ang text message rin ni Kheeno.

I opened Rhom’s messages. 

Rhomisor Adam:
Haven’t seen you for almost a month. So busy with case after case. 

I feel like napag-iiwanan na because of my busyness. 

😩

Natawa ako sa emoji na huling senend nito.

I typed a reply and sent it right away, at saka ang mensahe naman ni Joysie ang binuksan ko.

Joysie:
How’s the Haciendera of Escorial’s Hacienda doing?

Babe, my life as a businesswoman seems boring na.