ephemeral

21

PJY.

i spent the weeks with my dad.

hindi alam ni mama na nag-uusap na kami ni daddy. i also don't want to let her know.

she is currently doing her best in taiwan to earn money for us. i don't want to be a distraction from her when she is currently reaching her goals and dreams.

minsan ko nang nagawa yun, and i don't want to let that happen again.

•••

"ma, why are you still studying?" i asked my mom who is currently making a draft.

"i wasn't able to get my diploma, anak." she answered.

"why?" tanong ko.

"because something more important happened."

"and that is?"

"you." sagot niya saakin.

my mouth opened out of confusion.

"huh?"

"you came earlier that expected." she started.

"your dad and i. we we're living the best life a college couple could ever live."

i smiled, she seems happy remembering all the times my dad and she had been together.

"but one day, you came." she stopped off and smiled at me. "i was shocked, but i knew in my heart. i would do everything just to keep you."

"thanks mommy." i told her.

"but your dad doesn't have the same mindset as mine. so he decided to reach dor his dreams and leave us."

"i also wanted to give up. but i am thankful, i didn't." she said.

"i told myself. if he didn't fight for us, then i would."

"i gave up everything just to take care of you." she smiled and cupped my face.

"your grandparents weren't as happy, but they were greatful to have a granddaughter like you."

•••

i smiled, remembering that day.

my dad is a jerk, yes. but i still have his dna through me and i can't change that.

"what do you want to buy next?" my dad asked waking me up from my thoughts.

"wala na po. i am fine, just spending these days with you." i answered

he smiled, "malapit na yung birthday mo, how would you want to celebrate it?"

"simple family and friends gathering lang po. yun kasi yung plano ni mama." sabi ko sakanya.

"gusto ng mama mo, pero gusto mo ba?" he asked. "nako, si soujin talaga, hindi parin nagbabago." sabi niya.

"don't worry, i can talk to her para ako nalang ang mag-ayos ng birthday party mo." sabi niya saakin.

"wag na po-" sabi ko pero he cut me off.

"don't worry, your mother knows about all of this. sinabi ko na sakanya bago pa ako pumunta sa bahay niyo." bigla niyang sabi, nagulat naman ako.

all this time, nagsisinungaling ako kay mama at alam niya?!

"she's fine with it. tsaka ang sabi niya ay mas okay pa daw na nandito ako para kahit wala siya, may parent kang kasama."

ang sarap sa pakiramdam ng may dalawang parent no? magmula kasi bata, si mama na ang naging mommy at daddy ko.

nakakapanibago lang yung pakiramdam ng may matawag na daddy.

"thank you, daddy." sabi ko sakanya.

ngumiti naman siya at kinuha ang cellphone niya, "tawagan ko lang yung secretary ko para ma arrange na yung kailangan sa party mo bukas." sabi niya at lumayo.

pagbalik niya at tinap niya ang ulo ko at ngumiti, "saan tayo niyan?" tanong niya saakin.

hinila ko naman siya papunta sa paborito kong restaurant.

***

nakauwi na kami ni daddy at dumeretso na ako sa kwarto ko. binuksan ang laptop at hinanda ang sarili ko.

naghilamos muna ako at nag pajama na. sakto naman ang pag-ring ng facetime.

kaagad ko yung sinagot at bumungad naman ang mukha ni jaemin saakin.

"kumain ka na ba?" tanong niya saakin habang siya ay lumalamon.

tumango naman ako.

"oo, kumain kami ni daddy sa mall bago umuwi." sabi ko sakanya.

sa mga nagdaang araw, hindi kami nagkikita. kaya ganito nalang ang ginagawa namin.

tatawagan ko siya o dikaya ay tatawagan niya ako, pagkatapos ay magsasabihan kami kung ano ang nangyari sa mga araw namin.

"birthday mo na bukas." pagbigay niya ng topic, "anong gusto mong regalo?" tanong niya saakin.

"wala." sagot ko sakanya.

"ah sige, ako nalang regalo ko sayo." sabi niya sabay kindat.

"ay ayoko nun." biro ko sakanya.

"oo nga pala, tumingin ka na ba sa mailbox niyo?" sabi niya saakin, umiling naman ako.

"may pinadala ako sainyo eh, kasi sigurado namang hindi tayo magkikita kapag dinaan ko sainyo."

"sandali." sabi ko at mabilis na tumakbo palabas ng bahay.

pagbukas ko ng mailbox ay may maliit na box na nandoon.

"ito ba?" tanong ko kay jaemin. nakita ko naman siyang tumango kaya binuksan ko kaagad iyon.

pagbukas ko ay bumungad saakin ang isang mamahaling pandora necklace.

"happy birthday, mi amor." sabi ni jaemin kasabay ang pagtunog ng birthday alarm ng cellphone ko.

"thank you." ngiti ko sakanya.