Waiting for Superman's Return

Chapter 18

"I'm sorry."

Kilala ko yung boses na 'yun.

"Sorry, Lek."

"Who are you?"

"Lek, sorry talaga."

"Sino ka nga?"

"I'm Steven, your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? HAHA. Meron ba ako nun?"

"Lek, naman. Harapin mo naman ako oh."

"Harapin? Anong karapatan mong sabihan akong harapin ka? Kinailangan kita kanina sa likod ko, pero wala ka. Ngayon sabihin mo sakin, bakit dapat kitang harapin?"

Bigla nalang siyang humikbi. Umiiyak na ata.

Hindi ko parin siya hinaharap.

"Si papa, Lek."

Yung tono niya, iba na. This time hinarap ko na siya. Nakaluhod na pala siya habang umiiyak.

"Ano?"

Umiiyak parin siya. But why?

Pinunasan ko luha niya. I think he's so sad. I rest his head sa shoulders ko.

Maya-maya, tumigil na siyang umiyak.

"What's about your dad?"

"Hindi na siya magtatagal."

"Oh God!"

"I accompanied my Mom sa paghatid kay Papa sa U.S. para ipagamot siya. His condition is getting worse."

"Sorry."

"Wala kang kasalanan."

"No. Sorry kung hindi nagalit ako sa'yo agad. Sorry kung inaway pa kita Sorry kung--"

"No, Lek. Listen. It's not your fault. It's mine. Hindi kita naaasikaso. I heard what those boys did to you."

"Okay lang ako. Pinagtanggol ako ni Kuya."

"Sorry talaga."

"Okay lang."

"What do you want me to do para makabawi sa princess ko?"

"You knew it."

Sabay tawanan naming dalawa.

Dumiretso kami ng grocery para bumili ng food. Cookies, junk food, beverages. Kung anu-ano.

Pumunta kami sa bahay nila. Wala naman daw kasing tao. May movie room pala sila. Just wow. Rich kiddo this man.

"So, Me Before You?"

"Uhmm."

"What?"

"I really don't like those kind of films."

"What films?"

"Those love stories. So romantic and outlandish."

"So what?"

"What 'so what'?"

"Maganda 'to. I swear!"

"Okay."

After watching the film..

Napatahimik nalang kami the whole moment.

"So?" Tanong niya.

"He could've stayed!"

"But he chose to go."

"Well, Lou loves him!"

"Here's the lesson, Lek, not all the time, love will keep you alive."

"But.. Haay. Oo nga."

"You can't change people but you can love them."