Found

Chapter 21 - Hacienda Emmanuel (Part 2)

"Tatang?" It was Tatang Boaz and he was smiling.

"Halika rito, samahan mo ako." Nakangiti siyang inimbitahan ako. Hindi naman ako nag-atubili at lumapit sa kanya. He was also wearing a dry fit shirt and shorts as well as running shoes. Umusod siya ng kaunti sa inuupuan niya at pinagpag iyon. "Maupo ka." Tiningnan ko muna siya at ang upuan ng ilang sandali bago ko napagpasyahan maupo sa tabi niya. Naupo ako at tiningnan ang paligid. Meroon mga ashes sa gitna pero palagay ko ay hindi ito fresh. Siguro ay may nagbonfire dito dati. Nilibot ko lang ang paningin ko. The place was so serene, peaceful and quiet. Not eerily quiet but quiet yet calming. May mga ilang bato pa na sa palagay ko ay ginagawang upuan ng ibang tao.

"What is this?" Tanong ko kay Tatang at nakatingin na pala siya sa akin.

"My quiet place." He smiled and it was very different from his usual smile. That smile has innate 'good happiness' in it. Basta ganoon. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ang feeling. Hindi ko naman mabakas ang grumpy, old man.

"What is a quiet place?"

"A place where I pray and worship, God."

"Oh..." Naalala ko naman si Eki. I remembered when he brought me to church.

"Am I allowed to be here?" Tingin ko pa sa paligid. Am I trespassing?

"Oo naman. I like company. Mas masaya nga akong may kasama na nagdarasal sa kanya. O pwede mo rin itong puntahan kahit wala ako."

"Oh..." Tumango na lang ako kahit wala naman akong interes. "What were you singing a while ago?" I found the song really good."

"Broken vessels, Belle. It's a good one right?"

"Broken vessels."

"Oo, meroon akong kopya sa opisina kung gusto mong mapakinggan." Tumango na lang ako. I find the song good but I don't intend to listen to it. "That song is your Hezekiah's favorite."

"Si Eki?"

"Oo." Tango niya. "Hindi mo pa ba siya naririnig na kinakanta iyan?" Umiling ako. I never heard Eki sing before. "Do you want to see Eki cry? Play that song to him." Napatitig naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"I don't want to see him cry. That is so cruel."

"I know." Ngiti nito. "Ganoon lang talaga ang epekto ng kanta na iyan sa kanya. Especially when he sings that during worship." Napapaisip naman ako sa sinabi niya. Bakit kaya? What's with the song? Gusto ko naman tuloy buong mapakinggan.

"Let's pray, Belle." Natigilan naman ako sa sinabi ni Tatang.

"What would I pray about?"

"Pray for today and the things you want to accomplish. Pray for your problems. Anything. You can pray to him about anything." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. Tiningnan naman ako ni Tatang at tumigil ako.

"Tatang, I am a bad person. You should know that by now since you told me the other night that you know me. I don't pray. Baka masunog pa ako kapag nagdasal ako. Ang pagdarasal di ba ay para sa mga taong banal and I am far from it." Tatang Boaz chuckled.

"I am bit disappointed to Hezekiah." Iling pa ni Tatang Boaz pero nakangiti. "He didn't even bring you to church?"

"He did." Sagot ko. "But I slept through the entire service." Tumawa ng malakas si Tatang. Nagulat nga ako.

"Hayaan mo at papagalitan ko si Hezekiah. Iyon bata na iyon talaga." Tatawa-tawa pa nito.

"Teka, walang kasalanan si Eki. It was entirely my fault. I didn't have enough sleep. I shouldn't have come with Eki in the first place. Huwag mo siyang pagalitan." Tatang Boaz looked at me then he smiled.