65.2. Daniella
"Dad, please do not take this in a negative way. I'm glad you're thinking of helping us with these things pero I think masyado pa pong maaga."
Tumawa nang malakas yung dad ni Bryan. Naguluhan tuloy ako.
"Bakit po kayo tumawa?"
"You have the guts to speak up, my dear. And I admire people like you. Now I know kung bakit ka nagustuhan ng anak ko."
"I was taught to speak up when needed po."
"That's good, hija. Tama naman yun. Pero seryoso kami sa kasal, ha? Let us know kung kelan ready ka nang pag-usapan."
He smiled at Bryan's mom and winked at Bryan.
Naku, na-corner na ako ng mga ito!
"So, Daniella, when are we going to meet your parents? Kahit hindi muna pag-usapan ang kasal since we respect your decision."
"I've already met her Mom, older brother, and her younger sister. They've been very nice to me."
"Glad to hear that, hijo. We can't wait to meet them. Nasaan ba sila, Daniella?"
"Yung mom ko po, nasa Europe, on a business trip." "Oh. How about your dad?"
Biglang nanikip yung dibdib ko.
"My dad passed away two years ago po."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," sabi ng mom ni Bryan. "If you don't mind me asking, anong nangyari, hija?" "He got caught in a fire po. It's been a struggle for us
since then. I keep on wishing na sana panaginip lang ang lahat ng masamang nangyari. And I keep asking, paano kung hindi na-delay yung pag-uwi niya, paano kung hindi siya pumasok that day, paano kung he decided to just wait outside and not go in. Naiisip ko po sana buhay pa siya ngayon."
"We're really sorry to hear that, Daniella."
"Kahit papaano naman po natatanggap na namin. Pero naisip ko po, parang nabalewala din yung pagkamatay ng Dad ko kasi he wasn't able to save the victim. That's what his co-w0rker told us."
"What exactly happened daw?"
"Binalikan daw po ni Papa yung isang girl dahil na-lock sa room niya. Pero hindi na siya nakaabot dun. Pareho raw po silang namatay."
Dahil napanatag ang loob ko sa parents ni Bryan, hindi ko na naiwasang magkuwento. Makahulugan yung tinginan ng parents ni Bryan. And then his Mom spoke up.
"Daniella?" "Yes, Mom?"
"Where was your Dad working at that time?" "Sa HLWD, Los Angeles po."
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Na-shock sila sa narinig. Ganun din yung reaction ni Bryan.
Anong nangyayari?
"What's the name of your father, Daniella?" seryosong tanong ng Dad ni Bryan.
Kinabahan ako.
Bakit niya tinatanong ang name ni Papa?
"Danny. Danny Alvarez po."
"Is your dad, by any chance, a member of the Los Angeles, California Local Firefighter's Association?"
"Opo, member nga po siya nun. Paano n'yo po nalaman? Do you know him?"
Hindi nila ako sinagot. Nagkatinginan sila nang matagal. Tumingin ako kay Bryan. Siya din parang naguguluhan gaya ko.
"Mom, Dad, why are you suddenly curious about Dee's dad? Have you met him?"
Hindi nila pinansin yung tanong ni Bryan. Sa akin pa rin sila nakatingin.
"When did your Dad pass away?"
"September 24, 2011 po. Bakit po ninyo tinatanong? Is there anything I have to know?"
Nagulat ako nung biglang kunin ng Mom ni Bryan yung kamay ko.
"We're very sorry, Daniella..."
Ha? Bakit sila nagso-sorry sa akin? Hindi ko
maintindihan.
"Bakit po?"
"Your dad is the firefighter who tried to save Bettina." Biglang nanlamig yung pakiramdam ko. Hindi ako
makapaniwala sa narinig ko. "You mean... you mean..."
Hindi ko na naituloy yung sasabihin ko. Bumara yung lalamunan ko and tears were suddenly running down my cheeks.
"Dee, I swear, hindi ko alam.."
Niyakap ako ni Bryan. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Parang na-freeze yung utak ko. I looked at Bryan. Yung taong mahal ko ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng sarili kong ama?
Grabe rin naman magbiro ang tadhana, o. Gulong-gulo na ang isip ko. I thanked them and
excused myself. I didn't want to be rude but what I've just heard was just too much for me to bear.
"Dee! Wait, ihahatid na kita," habol ni Bryan sa akin. "I want to be alone. I need time to think. I'm sorry." Habang nakasakay sa taxi, inisip ko, mali bang makaramdam ng galit sa pamilya ni Bryan? Mali bang isipin kong parte sila ng dahilan kung bakit hindi na
namin makakasama kahit kailan si Papa?