A Crossroad ✔

Chapter 53: Hardest

[Quin]

"So... It was all a trap, dad?" paninigurado ko. After a long time of emotional endeavor, nagpaliwanag si dad tungkol sa nangyari sampung taon na rin ang nakararaan.

He was caught in bed with some woman because someone want to keep mom and dad away from each other. No other than dad's ex-fling who turned out to be still into dad. Napakulong na niya ito pero nagtagal nang ilang taon ang pag-iimbestigang ginawa niya just to dig into her crimes. Dad wants her behind bars so he can come back to us with his image clean.

Yes, I know. It is a telenovela completely written and improvised by this creative writer named fate.

"I'm sorry... Your father was weak that time, 'nak, I was drugged. I'm so sorry." Niyakap ko ulit si dad.

Miss na miss ko na siya at nagsisisi ako kasi mas'yado akong nagpadala sa galit ko. I didn't listen to him and loathe him which is something I should've never done. I wasted years all because I did not listen!

"Kailan niyo po nakausap ulit si mom, dad?" Ibinaon ko ang aking ulo sa balikat niya, sinisiguradong hindi lang ako nanaginip. I need to make sure that this feeling, this familiarity-the smell and his presence is real.

Kaharap ko na nga si dad. After the years that I was waiting, I am finally in this moment and I am so damn happy my chest feels so tight.

"Just three years ago. And since then, I started monitoring you. Alam ko ang lahat ng mga nangyari sa buhay mo. I met your suitor already, and just months later..." Hinagod niya ang aking buhok. "He became your boyfriend."

He cupped my face and smiled at me brightly. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang suporta niya para sa'min tulad ng mga pagsuporta niya sa akin noon pa man.

"I was there all along, 'nak. That man helped me monitor you and two days ago, he told me he plans to marry you because... he deflowered you already. Do you know I almost strangled him to death for doing that? But I didn't! I don't want him to die. He has to marry you first!"

I saw my dad's hands balling into a fist as he embraced me again, possessively. Napailing-iling ako. Tears started to stream down my eyes again. Damn, I just want to get married!

"He can't marry me, dad..." Lumungkot ang mukha ni dad nang itaas ko ang tingin sa kan'ya. I am sad too, so sad.

"I should've... I'm sorry that this has to happen, 'nak. Daddy's so sorry for being clumsy that you almost died," he aplogized with his low and guilty voice. I shook my head as I gave him an assuring smile.

"No... No, dad. I don't blame you but I want to know why didn't you approach me. Why did you let three more years to pass?" tanong ko sa kan'ya nang buong tapang.

He could've told me earlier. Mapapatawad ko siya, patatawarin ko siya at aayusin namin lahat ng gusot nag magkasama habang mas maaga pa. Bakit kailangan niyang sarilihin lahat?

"I tried, 'nak. Pero naduduwag ako. Even though I know I have done nothing, I felt so useless as a father." Useless?

Kahit kailan hindi ko naisip na isa siyang walang kwentang tao. I admired my father. He's one of the strongest person I've known because he was there, at work, at home and anywhere I am. He gambled for me to see after that accident. He saved me from people hurting me and I forgot about that part when I saw him with another woman.

"Dapat 'di ako nadroga. Dapat pinaglaban ko kayo. Dapat 'di ako nalito at nawalan nang sasabihin, 'nak. I dedicated my life to make you strong but I can't even become strong for you," he whispered weakly.

Ang ama ko-someone who graduated from a prestigious school with an honorable award, a man who faced a lot of pain in the past, a doctor and a hero... Is saying he's a useless father to me! Andami niyang buhay na isinalba bilang pambawi man lang sa katotohanang hindi niya naisalba ang mga magulang niya at ito siya ngayon, sinasabing wala siyang kwentang ama?