Kulang nalang ay mapapikit ako sa sitwasyong meron ako ngayon. Dad is standing in front of Gene. I know that Gene can't remember anything about me, but I'm not sure how far her amnesia can go.
"Good afternoon, Sir. Pardon my memory loss, but you must be Sabrina's father and the former CEO of the company I'm leading right now. Hinatid ko lang po si Sab."
Napahawak ako kay Mommy, hindi makapaniwala. Bakit ganun? Lahat ng bagay na may kinakalaman sa akin ay nakalimutan ni Gene.
Why, Gene?
Dad looked at me. He looked surprised with what he has heard from Gene. Confusion was all over his face.
"Ah. Yeah, right. Thanks for dropping off my daughter."
I can sense Dad's dismissal. Sa boses palang niya ay alam kong gusto na niyang pauwiin si Gene. I looked at him but I can't read his expression.
"Uh, yeah. See you around, Sab."
Gene was about to step backward when Dad faked a cough.
"Well, are you in a hurry? You might want to come inside."
Si Mommy naman ang nagulat sa sinabi ni Dad. Actually, dalawa kami. Gene then looked at me as if she's asking my permission.
"If that is, you're not busy enough for my invitation."
Napahinga ako ng malalim. I don't know what game Dad is playing right now. Ang alam ko lang, kinakabahan ako sa mga nangyayari. Gene might have an amnesia, but Dad perfectly remembers everything.
"Well, sure Sir. Who am I to say no?"
Dad nodded at agad kong hinawakan ang kanyang wheelchair para ipasok siya sa loob. Gene even offered to do the deed but I didn't let her since it's fine with me doing this small thing for my father.
Agad kong inasikaso si Dad at pinainom ng kanyang gamot while Mom prepared a snack for us in the kitchen.
Gene sat on the couch of our living room and roamed her eyes around.
"You looked tensed, Sabrina. Is it because I invited Gene here?"
Napatingin ako kay Daddy. Yes, I am very tensed. Gene wasn't supposed to be here. She wasn't even supposed to drop me off here.
"What are you doing, Dad? I thought you're not okay with her?"
Dad let out a deep sigh.
"I just realized that I cannot guarantee how long will I be staying in this world, Sab. I made a mistake. I committed a crime. I should pay for it."
Para akong tinusok ng karayom sa puso pagkarinig sa sinabi ni Dad. I can feel his regret and pain. Na pati ako ay nasasaktan sa nangyayari sa kanya ngayon.
"Dad.."
Pinatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking palad na nakahawak sa wheelchair. Then, he genuinely smiled at me.
"It's been a long overdue, Sab. I need to make up for what I did. I need to pay for it."
Napahinga ako ng malalim at napayuko. Sooner or later, alam kong kailangang pagbayaran ng Daddy ko ang nagawang kasalanan.
"Do you really love her, Sab?"
Napaangat ako ng ulo sa tanong ni Dad. I averted my eyes to Gene who's looking at us.
"Dad.."
"I know. It's just that, I still find it hard to accept that my daughter chose this path. It's difficult, Sab. But who am I to stop you? Nagalit ako noong una. But at the end of the day, you are still my daughter and I still want you to be happy."
