Geneva- Fiercer

7: Dad's Call

Isang malakas na ring ng aming telepono ang nagpagising sa aming dalawa. Minulat ko ang aking mga mata at unang nakita na aking mga ito ay silaw ng araw sa bawat bintanang naroon sa kwarto. Kinapa ko ang aking wristwatch na nasa malapit ng aking kama nakapatong sa isang mesa na nasa gilid nito.

Tiningnan ko ang aking orasan, pasado alas 9 na pala. Naririnig ko pa rin ang pagring ng telepono kaya bago pa man maingayan ang isa ay nasagot ko na ito. Pero bago ko pa masagot ay nagising na ito dahil sa ingay.

"Answer that call Geneva, ang ingay!" sabi nito at bumalik agad sa pagtulog.

"Hello?" tanong ko sa kabilang linya.

Wala akong ingay na narinig mula sa kabilang linya. A minute pause or something. Then I waited for a minute tsaka lang narinig ko ulit ang boses nito. I just missed him so badly. I maybe away from him so long but then his presence and his voice surprised me.

I miss Dad so damn much.

I stood up but then noong patayo na ako para sagutin ang papa ay nahawakan niya ako sa beywang dahil sa pagkilos niya and then hugged me from my waist. Ewan ko ba but when he did it, lumambot ang loob ko. He still has this close eyes of his, unconscious kung ano ang ginagawa niya.

But I touched his hands and pressed it like I never done before. Before when he totally changed. Then in a minute of staring his face, I heard his snore. His snoring. Hindi naman siya ganyan matulog noong kami pa but then noong andito na kami ngayon, ang lakas na niyang humilik.

Saka ko lang napagtanto na pinahintay ko na si Dad sa telepono. I heard him repeating my name and checking if I am the one he's talking and then he mentioned Miguel's name, twice. That was when I started to feel like crying.

If he just knows how am I or how do I look like now, maybe he'll make me stay away from the man I love.

"Pa?" I smoothen the voice. I don't wan't him sense that I am not in a good situation.

"Gev, how are you. Oh I miss you so much darling." masaya ang boses nitong nalaman na ako ang nagsalita. If you just only knew how much I am wanting to see you too Dad.

"I miss you too."

Isang malakas na kalma sa boses ang narinig ko. Isang malaking aharm mula sa kanya kaya naghintay ako ng isang minuto bago siya kausapin. Alam kong inuubo na naman ito kaya nag-aalala na tuloy ako ngayon.

"Are you okay there Dad, parang inuubo ka na naman." tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, I am so okay. Konti lang ito." sagot naman agad niya. "Tsaka alam kong medyo magaling naman ako and I am taking my medicine regularly and right foods."

I smiled. Nakakatawang isipin na nahuli nito ang susunod kong sasabihin sa kanya like, medicines and all. Ganoon kaimportante ang mga bagay para sa kalusugan niya.

"So how is my baby doing so far?" so here's the question. The avoided one question na alam kong isang napakalaking kasinungalingan lang ang isasagot ko sa kanya. I am so sorry for doing this Dad.

I laughed a bit. "Yeah, of course I am so fine. Miguel and I are taking things together smoothly Pa." I maybe unforgivable but really the right thing to do.

What am I doing today?

Today's fine I guess, I mean I hope will run okay today. Hindi ko pa rin alam because natutulog pa siya saka ko lang malalaman ang lahat kung nagising na siya and if hindi siya mang-aaway ngayon ay siguradong isa ito sa mga pinakamaligayang araw ng buhay ko but he hasnt waken up so it means to say- Unknown.

"I am so glad to hear That from you Gev, kailan mo ba ako dadalawin rito at parang minsan ka na lang nakadalaw ah, the last you visited me here was when my birthday, at kung hindi pa kita pinilit at naglungkot-lungkutan ako then you wouldn't do it for sure." mahaba nitong sunod sa akin.

I closed my eyes.

Yeah, it was the last time. I can still remember how I asked Miguel's permission for me to go there and of course with him. He had these excuses na may meeting siya and well, gagabihin siya- common reason at kung hindi pa ako umiiyak at nagpumilit sa kanya then I couldn't go.

That day, he treated me well, giving me surprise kiss and hugs, in front of other people of course for formality. Nakakainis nga isipin na nagagawa niya lang iyon in front of other people's eyes and kung wala, nag-iiba na naman ang aura niya.

"I'll set schedule within this week or next Pa, promise. I'll make it up to you." I said.

"Talaga?" masayang tanong nito.

"Hmm .. yeah." i paused.

"Well, maghahanda na ako rito sa bahay. I hope Miguel will not be busy these days Gev." dugtong nito sa huling sinabi.

I nodded my head and faced Miguel that is still sleeping. "Yeah, I hope so."