Paradise in Hell

One

With a huge smile on my face, I walked inside the building where my father is working. Malayo pa pero kita ko na ang ngiti ng mga tao sa lobby.

"Magandang gabi." I greeted.

"Hello, Iya. Good evening." Sarah said with and a huge smile on her face. She's the receptionist and my friend.

"May dala akong dinner. This is for you, guys ." And I handed them one paper bag. Mas lumawak ang mga ngiti nila.

"Wow naman. Parang masaya ka ata ngayon. Ano'ng nangyari?" Asked also by Chris, he's part of the building security.

I smiled at them. "Something good really happened to me. Kwento ko later. Pupuntahan ko muna si Papa sa office niya at use set aside na naman niya ang pagkain ng dinner." Sabi ko. Naging kaibigan ko sila dahil madalas ko sunduin si Papa o kaya naman ay dalhan siya ng pagkain. My Dad works as the Head Detective of the Crime and Investigation Unit of the government. And because of the nature of his work, okupado palagi ang oras niya, ultimo pagkain ay ipinagpapaliban niya.

Papa is really a hard-working person and he does well on everything, especially on his work. The main reason why he is where he is right now. As a daughter, I am very proud to have a father like him, kahit minsan, nagaalala ako sa health, and safety niya.

I stepped inside the elevator and tapped my visitor's card then chose the 24th floor.

I couldn't contain my emotions. I was feeling excited to tell my father the best news.

As soon as I reached floor 24, I hastily walked out and proceeded directly to his office. I knocked and carefully opened the door.

"Pa..." I whispered, popping my head first. I saw he was focused on the tons of paper in front of him and didn't even notice me. I tried my best to close the door quietly but I failed. He moved his head up. He frowned a little when he finally saw me.

I smiled, like a child.

He removed his glasses and put it on the table before speaking to me.

"Celestine. Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" Ngumiti muna ako bago magsalita.

"Hi, Pa. Good evening po. Nagdala po ako ng dinner natin. Sabay na po tayo kumain." Saglit siya na napatingin sa paper bags na dala ko at tsaka huminga ng malalim pero ngumiti pa rin sa akin.

I found my place on the couch and began unpacking the food. Papa also stood from his seat and joined me by sitting on the opposite couch.

"Salamat, anak. Marami ang trabaho ko ngayon kaya hindi ko na namalayan ang oras." Sabi ni Papa.

"Mag set na po kasi kayo ng reminders sa phone niyo. Palagi niyo nang nakakalimutan ang pagkain." Sagot ko. Tumingin sa akin si Papa at ngumiti.

"Manang mana ka talaga sa Mama mo. Pareho kayo kung magsermon sa akin." Dagdag niya. Napangiti rin ako.

"Kung nandito si Mama, mas marami ang sasabihin niya sa inyo. Huwag niyo kasi pabayaan ang sarili niyo. Masyado na kayong subsob sa trabaho"

"Aba. Parang ikaw na ang magulang ko, ha." Pagbibiro pa ni Papa pero nakangiti pa rin.

"Papa naman..."

"Yes, Ma'am." He then said. I smiled. "Kumusta pala ang interview mo?" Papa asked and my mood instantly lightened up as then excitement sweep over me again. I put my food and the cutlery on the table and lightly wiped the sides of my mouth. I looked at Papa.

"Pa... I got promoted." I told, grinning like a kid. His eyes snapped to me. He was quite surprised at first but a similar smile etched on his face. "Senior Bank Operations Manager na po ako." His smile grew more same as mine

"Wow. Congrats, anak. Ang galing mo talaga. Sinabi ka na nga ba at kayang kaya mo iyan. I am so proud of you. I know your Mom feels the same also."

"Thank you, Pa. Bukas po pupunta ko si Mama para sabihin din sa kanya."

"Sige. Sasama ako sa sayo. Gusto ko na rin makita ang Mama mo." Nakangiti lang ako. Sobra ang saya na nararamdam ko. At alam ko na ganoon din si Papa.

"We should celebrate. Magdinner tayo sa labas bukas pagkatapos natin puntahan ang Mama mo." I smiled at Papa.

"Sige po."

We continued eating our dinner while sharing happy stories and reminiscing about the past. Papa and I miss Mama so much.

"Umuwi na po tayo." Sabi ko kay Papa. Wala pa kasi siyang balak umuwi kahit na halos maga alas dies na ng gabi.

"Go ahead, anak. Dito nalang siguro ako matutulog. Magkita nalang tayo bukas."
Sagot niya. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko.

"Papa naman. Umuwi na tayo para makapagpahinga rin kayo ng maayos." Pamimilit ko pa rin. But knowing Papa, He still can't be pursuade, especially now that he is working with an important case.

"Sige na, Celestine. Mauna ka nang umuwi. Importante lang talaga ito."

"Mas importante kaysa sa inyo? Sa anak niyo?"

"Celestine." I sighed feeling defeated.

"Okay. Fine, Papa. Ako nalang magisa ang uuwi." He nodded then heaved and sigh also.

"Dala mo ba ang sasakyan mo?"

"Hindi po. Coding po ako today." Sabi ko habang nililinis ang mga pinagkaininan namin

"Gamitin mo nalang ang sa akin. Delikado kung magko commute ka pa."

"Umuwi na po kasi tayo." Isang beses ko pa na pamimilit pero seryoso na ang tingin ni Papa kaya tumahimik nalang ako.
After few minutes, nagpaalam na ako para umuwi. Papa gave me the keys and walked me to the elevator. He kissed my forehead and said good night before I descended to the Car Park.

I drew a deep breath again as the cold wind blew. Good thing that I have my black hoodie with me. I wore it and stepped inside the car.

Papa has a black car with tinted windows. Bulletproof din ito. After a minute of maneuvering, I managed to drive out of the Car Park. I leaned my back on the car seat and calmly drove on the uncrowded highway.

No traffic because it was almost midnight. Container trucks lang mga kasabayan ko maliban sa ilan pa na mga sasakyan.

I passed through many street lights and I love the sight of it under the dark sky.

I turned on the radio and hummed with the acoustic version of Thinking of you. I felt relaxed and happy. Indeed, one of the best days of my life.

Not more than an hour and a half, I reached my place. I parked in front of my house. Nasa loob ang sasakyan ko kaya sa labas ko nalang iiwan ang kotse ni Papa. Our area is safe naman and equipped with CCTV, aside from the guards patrolling every night.

Once I was done collecting my things, I alighted the car. I locked it and was about to take another step going to the gate when a pair of arms wrapped around me. One was on my body and the other was on my mouth and nose, forcing me to inhale the scent on a piece of cloth.

My head hurt with the smell, but my eyes widened as I felt a sharp needle pricked in my neck. My heartbeat faster as I tried to grapple as much as I could, but it didn't have any effect on my perpetrator. He tightened his grip on me. After only a few seconds, my eyelids were getting heavy together with my body. I may not want it, but my whole being was slowly giving up.

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Merhaba!

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PrettyLonelyPrincess