Have I Told You (PUBLISHED)

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Thirty Nine

TYRESE

As soon as I wake up, I slide the curtains open and go to the balcony. As expected, I see Eisley on the patio. He's painting on the ground. 

"Eisley boy!" I wave at him.  

When he looks up at me, he smiles. "Do you like it?"

Ngayon ko lang na-realize na paradise pala ang pini-paint niya. Naisip niya sigurong since lagi ako nasa balcony, makikita ko 'yun pag tumingin ako sa baba. The paradise looks familiar, though. It looks exactly like my first painting. 

Hindi siya nauubusan ng ideas. Isang beses nga, nawawala yung adhesive bandages ko. Dinikit niya pala sa wall ng hobby room niya. Tuwang-tuwa nga siya, habang pinapakita 'yun sa akin. 

The mural painting is beautiful but I gasp, worry rushes in. He looks too pale. Mukhang hindi nakatulog nang mabuti ang lolo mo, pero ayoko siyang ma-disappoint. I want him to know I appreciate what he did. 

"I love it!" I shout. "I love you, Eisley boy!" I shout even louder. 

He grins like a little boy, flushing. 

"Don't move!"

Kinuha ko yung phone ko. Pag balik ko sa balcony, hindi nga siya gumagalaw. I laugh, taking a picture of him. Bumaba ako at pinuntahan siya sa patio. Niyakap ko siya at hinalikan. He's already used to it. Minsan nga, siya na ang nauunang gumagawa nun. Hindi na siya nahihiyang hawakan kamay ko, halikan ako, at yakapin. Pag maraming tao, nahihiya pa rin siya, pero hindi na katulad nang dati.

"Matulog ka na," sabi ko sa kanya. 

"I can't sleep," he replies. 

"Talaga? Okay, ganito na lang. I'll take a video of you. All you have to do is say something to our child. Kunwari 7 years old na siya." Tinapat ko sa kanya yung phone. "Game!" 

"W-What am I supposed to say? Wala akong maisip." 

"Anything. Sabihin mo kung gaano mo siya ka-mahal." 

Huminga siya nang malalim. Lately, kahit anong request ko, pinagbibigyan niya ako. Actually, I can't remember the last time he said no. He may complain, but he still does whatever I ask for. 

"Well, I've realized it's possible to love someone you haven't even met."  

"Look at the lens, Eisley boy." 

He looks at the lens and smiles. "Hello, little sunshine.  This is Eisley, your dad. B-By the time you're watching this, maybe I'm not there anymore, but don't ever think I'm neglecting you. I wish I could be with you and your mom, but there are things in life that we can't control."

I hold back my tears as I touch my stomach, watching him give his message to our child.

"I love you, little sunshine. I'm sure you're growing really well. Your mom always makes sure your happy, right? I know because she also took care of me. She's the best. So please, when you grow up, don't leave her. Be kind. Be brave. Most of all, stay happy." 

"I love you, daddy," I say.

He smiles. "I love you."

EISLEY

I think I finally know the reason why other people find it hard to let go of life and why they fear death. For some people, they're scared to forget or be forgotten. For others, they haven't found their purpose in life or they still have unfinished business and unresolved issues. Different cases; different scenarios.