JaDine Oneshot & Drabbles Collection 2

Papa (ISti AU)

Six years old Daphne tied her hair cleanly and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

She was wearing her favorite dress today because it was a special day.

Today, at school, they would be celebrating Papa's day.

The little girl was giddy and excited to go.

"Daphne..." Iris sighed, looking at her bouncing daughter.

It was bittersweet to see her daughter like this. Iris frowned, "Daphne, tingin ko talaga mas mabuti kung di ka na lang pumunta ng school ngayon."

"Gusto ko po pumasok, Mama. It's Papa's Day!"

"But sweetie, wala si Papa... Baka di maintidihan ng mga classmate mo kung pumunta ka sa school na di siya kasama." Iris said, worried.

But the little girl beamed to her mom, unafraid. She was a strong and bright girl. A lot like her Papa.

But still, Iris worries.

"Daphne... can't we just stay home today?" Iris tried again.

Daphne shook her head at her mom, all the while smiling. "Gusto ko po pumunta sa school! I want to talk about Papa!"

Iris just couldn't deny her daughter of what she wants. How her daughter loved her Papa... A Papa she never sees, a Papa who never calls...

They arrived at their school in about fifteen minutes. Daphne was so excited.

There were many people. Many dads along the wall in the back.

All the other kids were excited as well. The children were squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

It wasn't that special a day to others, but to these families, it is.

And again, Iris worries for her daughter.

One by one the teacher called a student from the class to introduce their dads.

There were many stories told. Many laughters heard. Everyone was enjoying the children's speeches.

Meanwhile, Iris was getting anxious and anxious.

At last the teacher called her name, "Daphne Valderama."

Again, Daphne smiled at her mom. It was as if she wanted to give her mom courage, when in truth, it should be the other way around.

She stood up and every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching. Surely, they were looking for Daphne's dad.

"Nasan daddy niya?" Daphne heard a boy call out.

"Baka wala siyang daddy," Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

Daphne just smiled as she walked up the stage. The words did not offend her. And she smiled to her mom to let her know.

She looked up to her teacher when she was finally on the stage.

Her teacher smiled at her and gestured for her to go on.

And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.

"Good morning." She greeted to the silent audience.

She beamed at them and started her story.

"Papa couldn't be here, because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day."

There were some murmuring.

"Though you cannot meet him," Daphne said. "I wanted you to know all about my Papa, and how much he loves me so."

There was a pause and then the little child continued.

"Papa used to be famous. But not the artista kind of famous. He used to be a photographer and videographer for weddings. He loved to tell me stories and to sing for me. He taught me to ride my bike and he even bought me a small toy motor. He said wanted me to be like him when I grow up a bit. He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, and Greek yogurt." Daphne said and never did her smile fade.

"And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone." Daphne said with her courageous smile.

"'Cause Papa's always with me, even though we are apart. I know because he told me. He said, nandito lang siya sa puso ko, hanggang dulo."

With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.

Daphne felt her own heart beat and smiled.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, Iris stood in tears.

She was amazed. She was proud. So very proud of her daughter who was wise beyond her years. Wiser than she was when she was longing for a father.

Daphne had stood up for the love of a man not in her life.

And then Daphne dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.

"I love my Papa very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far. He was in Batangas when the great earthquake hit last year. He was talking to me through his phone when it happened. He could've ran but he couldn't leave a boy he met. Kuya Kevin was saved, but my Papa had to say goodbye."

The crowd was completely silent.

"But sometimes..." Daphne continued, "when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes... And she saw him there that day.

And to Iris's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.

The whole crowd, all the daddies and the children, all started to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side, as well. Saw Basti as well.

Iris closed her eyes. And surely, she saw him. Her Basti smiling at her once again, looking at their daughter proudly.

"Alam kong andito ka sa tabi ko, Papa," Daphne called out to the silence.

And what happened next was a mystery. Not one in that room could explain it. No one saw what really happened, everyone had their eyes closed.

But there on the desk beside Daphne, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

Daphne was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And with that Iris realized that heaven is never too far.

For the first time in a year, Iris could finally smile again.

END

AN:
- based on the poem, "Daddy"; some lines are incorporated in the story. 😊