JB1: The Cold Hearted Father [BXB] [√]

5

Nathaniel Craig Juariz

It was around 6 in the morning when I was bothered by a call from my phone. I picked it up from my side table and squinted my eyes to check the caller. I immediately tapped the answer button matapos kong makita ang pangalang nakatatak doon. Itinapat ko ito sa aking tenga at humihikab na sinagot ito.

"Dude, how's everything? Nahanap niyo na ba ang anak ko?" Ang agad kong tanong dito.

"Bro, good news. Nahanap na namin ang chikiting mo. He's under the care of someone named Austine Villaluz. Your child is currently here in Cebu. It seems like he's in good hands naman." ang narinig kong sagot niya sa kabilang linya.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapa buntong hininga sa tuwa at mahiga sa kama. It feels like every burden was lifted on my body.

"Damn! Thank you so much, dude. Expect another money on your bank tomorrow. And do some thorough investigation about this Austine Villaluz. It's better to be safe than sorry." Ang seryoso konh utos dito.

"Copy that. I'll send it to you as early as I can. Take care, bro. Any minute now darating na ang mga litrato at location ng anak mo. Bye."

I turned off my phone before tossing it aside. Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakahiga at saka nagtungo sa harap ng malaking bintana dito sa kwarto. Kumuha ako ng sigarilyo sa tabi at sinindihan ito. Cigars and alcohols are my only reliable companions during this shitty moment of my life.

Three fucking days have passed since I arrived in this house. Tatlong araw na ang nagdaan simula nang malaman kong nawawala na pala ang anak ko. And I swear these past three days were hell for me.

Kahit sinabi na ni Derick na nasa mabuting kamay ang anak ko hindi pa rin ako kumbensido hanggat hindi ko nakikilala ang taong kumumkup sa kanya at lalong-lalo na hanggat hindi ko nakikita ang anak ko. He might be my enemy's men who knows about me and my life. He might use my son against me. We never know. Human minds can be sick most of the times. Wala kang mapagkakatiwalaan sa mundong ito. Kahit sarili mong pamilya ay kaya kang traydurin. That's just the way of life.

I know I wasn't the best father to my kid. Bilang lamang sa daliri ang mga araw na nakakasama ko ang anak ko sa bawat taon. I was busy working my ass off to give him a comfortable life. Walang mangyayari sa buhay namin kung palagi kaming magkadikit.

I did not know how to take care of a kid. And I was too busy burying myself in self-pity and loneliness from losing my fiancee that learning how to take care of a child was too much work. Hiring him a nanny was the only way I know para mabuhay siya. I thought it was enough. Akala ko ay sapat na 'yon para masabing nagawa ko na ang obligasyon ko sa batang naging dahilan ng pagkawala niya.

I thought I would not give a damn kung ano mang mangyari sa batang 'yon. I thought I would not be as lost as I am now. Ever since she was gone, akala ko ay hindi ko na ulit mararanasan ang ganitong pakiramdam. Wala akong tamang tulog, walang tamang kain and all I ever did was drink all those goddamn alcohol and check on every news.

Funny how that one being you detested the most for taking away your most precious woman was gone, ngunit hindi ko magawang magsaya. Kung niloloko man ako ng Diyos ngayon sa pagiging gago ko pwes hindi ako natutuwa.

Someone knocked on my bedroom door hard kaya napukaw ako nito sa malalim na pag-iisip. Bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa doon si Axel. He still have the same dumb look plastered on his face.

Araw-araw kong tanong kung bakit nagkaroon ito ng importanteng posisyon sa militar. Him being a general is still a mystery to me.

"What? Are you here to tell me something about my son or that you're stepping down on your position?"