My hair is dancing as the wind blows. I rub my arm to produce some heat. The breeze that the wind brings added to the cold I have inside my heart. Unti unting nanlalamig. Parang wala ng emosyon. Parang...
Hillary H. Klein
I stared at the thomb in front of me. I could hear the whistling sound of the wind. Iyon lamang ang tanging ingay na naririnig ko. It was very calm in here.
Ngumiti ako ng mapakla bago tumalikod paalis sa lugar na iyon. With a heavy heart, I promise myself to never go back to this place. I'm sorry but I have to let go now.
"Good morning, dad." I kissed his cheek but he remained emotionless.
"Where have you been?" From the time Hillary dies, he had been this cold towards me. At masakit iyon para sa akin.
"The cementery, dad." Nagangat siya ng tingin sa akin pero nanatiling tahimik.
I know he's blaming me. But he never said anything. We haven't talked about her since her death and it pains me.
"Kumain ka na. I'm done." At saka siya tumayo. "By the way, I am scheduled to meet my doctor today. Send him in my office once he arrives."
Tumango ako. "Yes, dad."
Hindi na niya ako tinapunan ng tingin matapos iyon. Will I stay invicible to him? Oh well, at least kinakausap niya pa ako diba? Okay na 'yun. I know he still loves me. I know.
He may be blinded by the mistake I made. Nevertheless, I am still his daughter. He still loves me as his own.
"Ma'am Bourey, kumain ka na po." Anang aking maid.
Ngumiti ako kay Petra. What a name, right?
"I'm fine. Nagalmusal naman ako kanina. Busog pa 'ko." Sabi ko.
"Eh, kahit na ma'am. Pumapayat ka na po." Aniya pa.
"Sexy pa rin naman ako, ah?" Biro ko.
Tumawa siya at sumangayon. "Oo nga ma'am parang hin-"
"Ma'am Gabourey!" Tawag ni Teresa, ang isa pa naming maid. Sabay kaming napatingin sa kaniya ni Petra.
"Bakit?" Sagot ko.
Humahangos pa siya at pinagpapawisan. Halatang galing sa pagtakbo.
"Eh kasi ma'am, may tao po sa labas. Hinahanap niya po ang daddy niyo. Ang pogi!" Kinikilig niyang balita.
Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Must be my dad's new doctor. Send him in."
Tumayo ako at inayos ang mahaba kong bangs. Sumulyap ako kay Petra na animo'y giraffe sa pagsilip sa may pintuan. Napailing ako. Hindi rin naman niya makikita sa kinatatayuan niya.
"Maghanda ka ng meryenda para sa bisita." Utos ko kaya't natapos ang kaniyang pagsulyap.
"Opo." Kaagad siyang pumunta ng kitchen upang maghanda.
I unconsciously check myself. I am wearing an all white off-shoulder dress and a gray heels. I look fine. My pink lipstick is unrecognizable. Damn, I feel like a teenager on my make up! It doesn't suit my personality.
Inilagay ko sa paharap ang aking natural na kulot na buhok. I should trim this.
Nanag humarap ako ay saktong pagdating ng isang lalaking mukhang kaedad ko lang. He's wearing a sky blue button down polo that is rolled upto his elbow and a black pants. There is also a stethoscope around his neck.
Naglahad ako ng kamay sa kaniya.
"I am Gabourey Klein, Mr. Florencio Klein's daughter." Tinanggap niya ang aking handshake.
