Eroplanong Papel

Crossroads

Tito Hulyo has always had a special place in my heart. Ever since my dad passed away from COVID-19, he stepped in as my Papa. I'll never be able to repay him for the way he stood by me, through the highs and lows of my life. Even during me and Kairo's graduation, he stood by my side as my father.

I can still remember that moment clearly.

Tinapik ako ni Tito Hulyo, "They're calling your awards. I'll stand next to you," he said, walking beside me as we made our way up the stage. His presence gave me a sense of strength, a reminder that I wasn't alone.

I even remember those days... when everything felt so much simpler.

"Lila...." Ika ni Kairo.

Iniwan na kaming dalawa ni Mama sa kwarto ko at hinayaan kaming mag-usap. I didn't know what else we could talk about or why he was even here. What was the point of messing up my world again? I thought I had moved on, but seeing him now, it felt like everything I had buried was surfacing again.

Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya. Parehas kaming nakaupo sa kama ko habang hawak-hawak ko ang aking unan, ang mga kamay ko mahigpit na nakapulupot dito. "What do you want, Kairo?" madiin ko sabi. "You shouldn't be here."

Pinakikinggan ko lang siya. Ayokong tumingin sa mga mata niya. "I know... What I did to you was unforgivable, but pinapunta ako nina Mama dito para ipaalam sayo-"

I cut him off with a laugh that felt bitter in my chest. "You even need their approval? Hindi ka na ba talaga makapagdesisyon sa sarili mo?" Now, I was finally looking at him.

Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong maramdaman, but seeing him like this made me feel... conflicted. He looked tired, worn out, like someone who had been carrying the weight of something too heavy for too long. And yet, he still tried to give me that smile, that smile that used to make everything feel right.

"You still look brighter...." he said, his voice soft.

I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me at his words. I quickly turned my gaze away from him.

"Sabihin mo na lang kung bakit ka nandito so you can leave now!" I said, my voice rising, wanting to push him away.

"Yes, right." Kairo sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Gusto lang ipaalam nina Mama sayo na gusto ka makita ni Papa."

Tito Hulyo, why? My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. "Gusto mismo nina Mama na lumapit sayo, pero nahihiya sila sa mga pinanggagawa ko. I promise after nito, I'll leave."

I looked at him more carefully now, the words he was saying starting to sink in, the tightness in my chest growing heavier. "What about Tito Hulyo?" I asked, barely able to speak the words.

"He's been in a coma for months..." Kairo said, his voice softer now, almost pained. "And we-especially Mama and Trisha-just wanted to inform you. We just thought it was important that you know what's been happening, lalo na't gusto ka makita ni Papa bago siya nahulog sa coma."

Hearing that, I felt my chest crack. The weight of his words was more than I could bear. Tito Hulyo... why? He didn't deserve this. None of this felt real.

I stared at Kairo for a long moment, my thoughts all jumbled. "You drove here, just so I could see him?" I whispered, barely believing what I was hearing.

I felt numb. I didn't know how to react-how to process the mess of emotions surging inside me. But I couldn't stop the wave of sadness that came crashing down on me. Tito Hulyo had always been there for me, even when no one else was. And now... this?

Kairo didn't say anything. He just sat there, as if he knew there was nothing left to say, nothing left to fix. Maybe because there was no fixing us anymore.