Indulgent Geoff (TTMT #3)

Prologue

Written: 2015-2016

Revised Edition Posted: 2020

Edited by: KD Aquino

The True Man Trilogy 3: Indulgent Geoff was self-published (2017, 2018)

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PROLOGUE

Ontario, Canada.

THE seven-year-old Zoey with cute pigtails was peacefully taking a walk with her Papa.

"Papa, where are we going?" nakangiting tanong niya sa ama.

"To your friend Candy."

"Dr. Candy? I'm going to see her again?" she excitedly said. Little Zoey's eyes were sparkling with glee. She loves Dr. Candy!

Ngumiti sa kanya ang Papa niya at binuhat siya. Napatili siya sa saya. Yumakap siya sa leeg nito. "Papa, I'm happy today."

Hinalikan siya nito sa noo. "I know. But you were sad yesterday."

Ngumuso siya. "Sorry, I broke Mama's picture."

"It's alright. That's why we're going to Dr. Candy today."

"We always go to her every month. Is there something wrong with me, Papa?" Kahit sa murang edad ay alam ni Zoey kung ano si Dr. Candy. She's a psychiatrist. A doctor for "crazy" kids like her. Sabi iyon sa kanya ng mga kalaro niya.

Niyakap siya nito nang mahigpit. "There's nothing 'wrong' with you, my baby. There is something 'special' about you."

Napasinghap siya at napangiti. "Do I have super powers, Papa?"

Natawa ito at pinanggigilan siya ng halik sa pisngi. "Yes! You are my Super Zoey. You make Papa ultimately happy every day. Kahit hindi na natin kasama ang Mama mo."

Zoey knows a lot of Filipino words because her Papa is a Filipino. But she's more fluent in speaking in Canadian English because of her playmates. Hindi niya masyado ginagamit ang Filipino kung hindi lang niya nakakausap ang mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas. Hindi rin naman laging nagpi-Filipino ang Papa niya sa bahay.

It was her turn to sweetly kiss her father on the cheeks. "Papa, after going to Dr. Candy, can you buy me some ice cream? The big twirly ice cream!"

Tumango ito. "Everything for my Zoey."

Pagdating nila sa clinic ni Dr. Candy ay sinalubong agad siya nito ng yakap. Dr. Candy is a tall Canadian woman in her thirties. Blonde ang maikling buhok at sobrang tangos ng ilong. "How are you, Yelena?"

Zoey giggled. Si Dr. Candy lang ang tumatawag sa kanya sa totoong pangalan niya. It sounds more girly, she said. "I'm okay, I'm okay!" itinaas niya pa ang dalawang kamay.

"Come on, then. We're going to play."

Mabilis siyang tumango at bumitiw na sa Papa niya. "Wait there, Papa. I'll be back," bilin pa ng bata.

Habang papasok na sila sa playroom ni Dr. Candy ay napansin ni Zoey ang isang bagong nurse. Lumapit ito sa Papa niya at nagbigay ng coffee.

"Who's that, Dr. Candy? You have a new nurse?"

Sinara na nito ang pinto ng playroom. "Oh. Yes. She's Lucille. 'Lucy' for short. She's a Filipina, you know? She came from the Philippines just like your father." Umupo na sa playmat si Dr. Candy at sumunod si Zoey.

"Oh. She's pretty!"

"How are you yesterday?" Nag-indian sit sila pareho.

"I was sad. I was crying all day," simpleng pagkukuwento niya. Kumuha siya ng Lego blocks at nilaro iyon. "I even broke my Mama's framed picture."