The Unconditional Love (JuliElmo)

Chapter 21

After two weeks na naka-confine sa hospital, hinayaan na ko ng doctor na umuwi. Pero saan ako uuwi? Hindi ko alam. Ayokong umuwi kila mama, I still can’t forgive them sa ginawa nila, not now. My dad actually didn’t know that my mom did that, pero siyempre kumampi siya kay mama. And so I also shouted at him, I didn’t did that on purpose, bigla na lang akong sumigaw because I’m so upset, no one is taking my side.

And of course hindi ako uuwi sa unit. Sino bang tanga ang uuwi sa bahay ng manlolokong asawa? Lalo lang akong magagalit pag makikita ko siya. At ayoko siyang makita, sa tuwing makikita ko siya, maaalala ko lang ung sakit.

“You know, you can stay with me.”

I was fixing my clothes when Maqui came in, hinarap ko siya. And just like the others, I don’t hate her, but I don’t want to see her now.

“No thanks. I’m fine. Don’t wait for me, you can leave now. I can go on my own.”

“Juls.”

“Maqui, please, not now.”

Tumango na lang si Maqui and nakikita ko ung frustration sa mukha niya. She’s my bestfriend and I love her. So seeing her like this is hurting me too so instead of waiting for her to leave, I kept myself busy with my clothes.

Lumabas na si Maqui nang biglang pumasok si Dad.

“Sweetie, I’m sorry about the other day.”

Hinarap ko si Dad and ngumiti ako, “It’s okay. I’m sorry for shouting at you, Dad. I didn’t mean it.”

Tumango siya, “I know. But always keep in mind that your mom and I love you. So lahat ng ito ginagawa namin for you.”

I don’t want to argue anymore so I just nod at him. He smiled and may biglang siyang kinuha sa pocket niya.

“Here.” He handed me a key, I reached for it with lots of confusion. “Alam kong hindi ka uuwi saamin, and neither sainyo. And ayaw mo rin magstay kila Maqui. So I bought you a condo.”

“Dad, you don’t have to do that.”

“Of course I have to do it, I’m your dad.”

Then I hug him, “I love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, sweetie. I already told my driver na ihatid ka sa condo mo.”

“No, dad. Gusto kong mag commute, I want to go there on my own.”

“You sure?”

“Of course, just give me the address and I’ll manage.”

-

<Elmo’s POV>