Rocking a Doctor's Heart

Chapter 31

"Anak!"

I can't believe how high my brows were when I saw Dad in our old mansion. He is smiling so wide while scanning me like he can't believe I am in front of him.

Isn't he supposed to be sick?Not that I want him to be but...

Isang mahigpit na yakap ang ginawad sa akin ng aking ama. I hugged him back lightly as I am still confused lalo pa nang masulyapan ko ang babaeng nasa kanyang likod.

Mayette smiled a little na bahagya ko lang tinanguan.

"Wow..." ang namamanghang boses ni Dad ang nagpakurap sa akin habang tinititigan niya ako matapos ang yakap. He's softly touching my medium bob-cut hair. 

"Dad..." I uttered, hindi sigurado ang sasabihin. Mabuti na lang at giniya niya ako paupo sa sofa. Kita ko rin ang pagsulyap ni Tatay Dom na may ngiti sa labi habang paakyat sa second floor.

"I'm so happy to see you. I have heard about your arrival and...the Charity event--"

"Dad..."I sighed. "Happy birthday," I said instead and pulled the small gift I have for him in my bag. 

Namilog ang mga mata ni Daddy habang tinatanggap ang aking binibigay.

"I told you, we should have prepared something to celebrate your day," mahinang singit ni Mayette sa gilid. Sinulyapan ko siya kaya naman dinagdagan niya ang kanyang sinabi. "I know you don't celebrate birthdays that much but..."kibit-balikat niya.

"Yeah...this is something to celebrate, you're right," lingon ni Dad sa babae at nag-ngitian ang dalawa. Dad brought back his gaze on me. "My daughter's back. She's back for--"

"Your b-birthday. T-to greet you, at least," tikhim ko. I am not sure what he's thinking.

"Anak, the company--"

Puputulin ko na sana si Dad nang kusa na niyang pinutol ang sinasabi dahil sa pababang lalaki. Nahigit ko yata ang aking hininga habang pinagmamasdan ang seryosong mukha nito. I could not help but follow his movements with my eyes when he roughly combed his still wet hair .Bahagya niya ding inaayos ang manggas ng long sleeves na suot nang magkatinginan kami.

Ako ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin at binalingan ang tumatayong si Dad.

"Aalis ka na?" tanong ni Dad. Ang pag-awang ng aking labi ay unti-unti kasabay rin ng mabagal na pagproseso ng utak ko.

Anong..bakit...he's staying here? 

Ang pagkakakunot-noo ko ay hindi matanggal hangang sabay silang bumaling sa akin at humarap sa aking kinaroroonan.

"She's back, Damien," Dad said kaya agad akong tumayo. Para akong nalulunod sa pagkakaupo. I can't make sense to what is happening!

"Then, I guess it's right time to talk about--"

"I'm just here to greet, Dad," putol ko sabay ayos ng tayo at matapang silang tiningnan. "I'm not here for some talk or what."

"Anak..."

I gasped as I heard desperation in Dad's voice. Nag-init ang sulok ng aking mga mata kaya agad akong tumingin sa ibang direksyon. 

"Can you stay for... l-lunch..."

"Jade, we have not prepared something but at least join us for a simple lunch?" si Mayette na agad ikinataas ng kilay ko. Ramdam ko ang titig ng dalawang lalaki at ang handa kong sagot ay naputol ng marinig ang mariing boses ni Dame.

"You know this is inevitable. Stay for lunch," in his authoritative voice, Dame did not shake with my rather pissed off look. Kung nakakasugat lang ang talim ng aking tingin ay dugo-dugo na siya ngayon.