Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

"IS he asleep?" My father asked when he saw me outside the hospital room.

"Yes," I sighed. "We need to provide psychiatric therapy for him, mukhang nagkaroon ng trauma ang anak ko."

He nodded. "I'm already talking to child specialists who could help us. I just need your approval."

"He was panicking from just a simple noise. Kanina, no'ng natulog siya sa sofa. I accidentally dropped my phone tapos nagulat ako no'ng bigla siyang sumigaw at umiyak. He called me and Caspian and asked for help kaya nilapitan ko kaagad at pinatulog."

The sight of my son that way made my stomach turn. He's young and yet...

"This is my fault," he groaned, his wrinkles showing. "I'm so sorry, Lars. I should've known better."

"Tapos na," I breathed. "Even if we blame ourselves, we can't bring back the time."

I could see the sadness in his eyes. Maputi na ang buhok ng dad, there are lines forming at the side of his eyes. I think he has aged more these days.

"Still, I know it's my fault. I know you're disappointed in me. Y-your mother's disappointed with how poorly I did this. I promised her I'll protect you b-but..."

"Dad..." I sighed. Ginagap ko ang kamay niya.

"I lied," he murmured. "I'm so sorry, anak. K-kung ipinagdamot ko sa 'yo na makasama ang anak mo ng ilang taon. S-sorry."

"We'll get past this, okay?" I breathed. "We should help each other. No secrets, okay?"

"No secrets," he promised.

Hindi muna ako umimik, I embraced him and let him cry. Si dad na lang ang pamilyang mayro'n ako. Ayokong pati siya ay mawala sa 'kin.

We sat on the bench when he calmed down. Pinigyan ko siya ng tubig at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"I wanted to tell you everything, Lars."

"I'm sorry for hiding you and Riu," panimula niya. "Caspian has been looking for you. He consistently looked for you when he found me. Luckily, nailipat na kita sa ospital sa Maynila at wala na sa Casa Amara."

"Why?" I asked.

"I was so scared, Lars, when you were comatose, natatakot akong baka kapag nagkita kayong ulit ay mapahamak ka. B-baka may makaalam na sa Estrada kung saan ka. Ngayon ko lang din naisip na mabuti'y 'di ako bumigay at ex pala ni Alcantara iyong anak."

"I couldn't risk. I don't want to. I knew he broke up with you, he told me. Idinahilan ko lang na ayaw mo na siyang makita, ipinagtabuyan ko pero makulit. If only you knew the struggles I had just to keep you and Riu. Mahirap, anak, pero no'ng panahong 'yon ay wala na akong maisip na ibang paraan. I have to keep you both–even in Caspian, for your safety."

I nodded.

"If only I knew it was a bait to harm you, sana 'di na ako nagtiwala. I didn't know it was a scheme against you. Just because that woman is obsessed with Caspian. Huli ko na nang nalamang gano'n pala ang pinagsimulan ng lahat. Alam kong masama ang loob mo, anak, pero ngayon, 'di ako nagsisising itinago kita sa lalaking 'yon. That time, I thought if even him couldn't find you, you are safe."

"But he still found me," I murmured.

"The devil works hard but Alcantara works harder," aniya.

Ngumuso ako.

"Dad..."

He chuckled.

"At least you were safe for years. You and your son. I am sure, kapag nalaman ni Cheska na anak n'yo si Sirius, she would hurt him. Hindi lang siya masyadong interesado sa bata kanina dahil iniisip niya na pamangkin mo ito."