“marami salamat po at nagawa ninyong puntahan at kamustahin kami mayor” an old lady said while on tears. Holding my daddy's arms.
“tungkulin ko po ito nay” daddy smiled at her. I look around.
Marami ang naapektuhan ng dumating na bagyo sa sityo tanaen. Maraming bahay ang nasira ng nagdaang bagyo, kaya halos lahat ng mga nakatira sa sityo ay pansamantalang nakituloy na muna sa mga evacuation centers.
I look at daddy. Walang kaarte arte nitong hinawakan ang kulobot na kamay ng matanda. Magaan ang awra nito, kita sa mata ni daddy ang awa sa mga ito.
Such a manipulator
“huwag po kayong magalala at tutulungan po namin kayong mapatayo uli ang mga nasirang bahay ninyo, gagawin po namin ang lahat upang mas mapabilis po ang pagbalik ng sityo sa dati” daddy reassured them with a smile. Lahat ay pumalakpak at lubos na natuwa sa sinabi ni daddy. I look at them.
I feel guilty all of a sudden. Paniguradong babawasan na naman ni daddy ang pundo na dapat ay para sa kanila. We experience luxury things without putting much efforts on it. Who wouldn't feel guilty?
Napabuntong hininga ako. I tried to talk to dad about it once. But he threatened me.
“mayor pwede ho ba kayong makausap? Huwag ho sana dito” nabalik ako sa ulirat ng magsalita ang kapitan ng sityo tanaen. Tinignan ko ito. Halatadong kabado at namumutla habang nakatingin kay daddy. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko dahil dito.
“sure kap, lead the way” nakangiting wika ni daddy. Bago ito umalis ay humarap muli ito sa akin.
“stay in the car celina” i nodded at nauna nang tumalikod. Marami ang nakakita sa ginawa ko. Marami din ang napataas ng kilay dahil sa inasta ko. They know me as the rude daughter of their beloved mayor. Wala nakong pake dun. Everybody is entitled by their own opinion, kaya wala nakong magagawa dun.
Ng makarating sa kotse ay kaagad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko. I scrolled and watch some reels on Instagram.
manager sungit sent you a message
A notification pop up on my screen.
“omygosh celina! where are you?!”
“i'm with my daddy, why?”
“you forgot??”
“ forgot about what? ”
“you have a lunch date with marco! nako kinalimutan mo na naman, ano na naman e rarason ko dun?! ang yabang pa naman nung gago na yun
😡💔”
I chuckled. What's with the broken emoji?
I ignore my manager's messages. I don't wanna stress myself. I put down my phone at inihilig ang katawan sa upuan. I close my eyes and relax my mind.
By the end of this month, sisiguraduhin kong makakapunta ako ng palawan at doon mag rerelax. I wanna explore the hidden paradise of palawan. I wanna go to Puerto princesa so bad! I heard palawan's baker's hill can make you feel heaven on earth.
Napabalikwas ako sa kinauupuan ng marahas na bumukas ang pintuan ng kotse. It was daddy and he looks so mad.
“brian” daddy called his assistant.
“yes sir?” he replied with a serious tone.
“fucking kill that man, he knows to much” daddy said. I felt chills down to my spine by what daddy said.
“consider it done sir” his assistant replied.
“no!” I shouted at them. Dad and his assistant look at me. I look at dad. Matalim ang tingin na binabato nito sakin.
“dad! Why would you kill an innocent man?!” why is it easy for you to kill someone whenever you wanted?
“ you'll never understand it celina so shut the fuck up!” he shouted. My hands are shaking. How can this man be so cruel?
“I'm old enough to understand dad! you're killing innocent people! i know you to well” he look at me dead in the eye. Itinaas nito ang kamay at akmang sasampalin ako. Pumikit ako at hinintay na dumapo ang kamay nito sa pisngi ko. segundo ang lumipas at wala man lang akong naramdamang kahit na ano mang sakit.
Idinilat ko ang mata at tumingin kay daddy. Bahagya na itong nakapikit habang ang isa nitong siko ay nakapatong sa bintana ng kotse habang hawak hawak ang labi nito.
Parang wala lang nangyari. Napabuntong hininga ako at naupo ng maayos habang nakatingin kay daddy. My mom and dad got married at a very young age. Arrange marriage. They dont love each other.
Maagang namatay si mommy, nagka komplekado sa panganganak sakin. 19 palang si daddy ng pinanganak ako. They were very very young to have a me. And now I'm 20 while daddy was only 39. Kung titignan, para lang kaming mag kuya.
Daddy was a very gorgeous man in his age. Hindi ko na ma itatanggi. Pero sabi nga nila, aanhin mo ang maganda o gwapong mukha kung patapon naman ang ugali mo. Inilihis ko ang tingin dito.
“celina honey, I'm sorry okay? I'm just doing it for our safety. Come on celina honey, my love, my baby, let's buy you some books okay?” malambing na tawag nito. Hindi ko ito pinansin.
Daddy was a bipolar person sometimes...
