Paper Planes

Kabanata 32

092718: Happy 31st Wedding Anniversary to the persons who brought me to this world. You know how grateful I am for all your sacrifices to make sure I grow up well. It was never smooth, but everything was worth it. I love you.

KABANATA 32

It hurts. My entire body hurts. I can't move my limbs. It hurts even as I try breathing. It doesn't help that there are smoke everywhere. It stings my eyes that makes me want to close them just to try and have a bit of comfort in this situation. But I can't. I mustn't. I don't even wish to blink. Because if I did, Papa might fade away from my sight. He's right there, pinned to the floor by the door, looking at me, truly looking at me like I'm his prized possession.

'Papa...' I tried opening my mouth when I saw how fire slowly eats his skin but it won't budge.

He laid there, despite his situation, and just stared at me with unfamiliar warmth in his eyes. I watched as the fire slowly consumed him. My heart constricted in protest but my brain was quick enough to remind me that this is okay. He will be able to go after Mama and finally be happy. There will be no hurt for him from this day onwards, just plenty of smiles and laughters with Mama by his side.

And just before the mantle of fire could completely devour him, for a moment, just a split of a moment, I thought I saw his mouth moved and uttered something. But I was too far to hear what he said. And before I could make out what he was trying to tell me, the whole building collapsed. There was nothing left but smoke and rubble.

I woke with a sharp intake of air. Mabilis akong bumangon, hinahabol pa ang hininga.

It's that dream again, I thought as I shut my eyes and took deep breaths to calm myself. Parang napapadalas na ang mga panaginip ko tungkol sa gabing iyon. Naalala ko ang huling imaheng nakita. He was trying to tell me something. What was it?

Tulad ng pinaalam ni Ren sa aking mga magulang, maaga niya akong sinundo kasama ni Cecil na manghang-mangha namang ipinakilala sa kanila. At katulad din kahapon, kinausap pa nang masinsinan ni Gene si Ren bago kami pinayagang makaalis. And even as we were leaving, pinaalalahanan pa rin nito na ingatan ako.

"Super strict ng Daddy mo, ano?" Puna ni Cecil nang makaalis na kami.

Magkatabi kaming naglalakad habang nauna ng kaunti sa amin si Ren. Hinapit niya pa akong lalo sa pwesto niya sabay nguso sa aming kasama. Tinignan ko siya at nagkunwaring hindi alam ang gustong ipahiwatig. Ano naman ang isasagot ko?

Madrama pa siyang nagbuntong ng hininga.

"Hay naku! Siguradong mahihirapan ang mga manliligaw mo kung sakali..." Anito sa isang malakas na boses.

Sinimangutan ko siya at sasagot na sana nang mapansing bumaling sa amin si Ren. Nakataas ang isang kilay nito. Saglit niya akong tiningnan bago sinipat ang kababata.

"Huwag mo ngang binibigyan si Aya ng mga ganyang ideya, Cel. Masyado pa siyang bata para sa mga manliligaw."

"You mean, bawal siyang ligawan ng iba? Hmm?" Patuya nitong sagot.

Lalong sumimangot ang mukha ni Ren sa sinabi ng kaibigan. Saglit niya akong sinilip.

"Bilisan niyo na nga lang. Anong oras na tayong makakarating sa simbahan nito? May dadaanan pa tayo sa palengke..." Anito bago muling nauna sa amin.

Cecil chuckled at the King's reaction. Muli niya akong hinapit.

"Hindi niya tinanggi..." Bulong nito.

"Wala namang ibig sabihin iyon..." Sabi ko na lang.

My mind was a bit stuck on an idea that he said that I wasn't able to listen properly while Cecil animatedly shared about her blooming relationship with Kulas.