I immediately went down after I finished preparing because daddy hates waiting, and I want this night to be good for us. Im tired arguing with him in everything, since ako naman ang may mas mahabang pasensya.
Naabutan ko si Mang Anton sa baba, for sure dad told him to wait for me. Maam sabi po ni Sir, puntahan niyo ho siya agad sa kotse. See? Dad cant even wait for just a minute nakaka-inis. Sige po Mang Anton, kayo po ba ang mag mamaneho? tanong ko ng mapansin kong hindi siya sumunod sa akin papalabas. Hindi maam, sabi ni Sir siya nalang ang mag mamaneho para sa inyo, wala nga pong guards kasama. I think dad also wants this nigth only for us. Tinanguan ko nalang si Mang Anton at lumabas na ako, my dad is already waiting for me outside the car. Happiness is visible to his face, good vibes yata.
Hi dad, masaya yata kayo? bungad ko agad sa kanya ng magkalapit na kami. Ngumiti naman siya at agad akong niyakap, his behavior today is very unusual no offense i love my father, its just that hindi siya ganito in his normal days.
Of course I am happy Samantha, for this past years I've been busy ngayon lang ulit kita nakasama withouth any pressure. Kasabay ng pagsasalita niya ang malutong niyang tawa.
Yes dad, you have a point I almost think you dont value me anymore. I joked to him, I know how much my father loves me. Muli niya lang akong tinawanan at pinagbuksan ng pinto ng sasakyan. When he started driving, I decided to turn on the radio and now his using a flash drive? Things may have changed hindi ko lang siguro napapansin kasi busy din naman ako sa school.
Carpenter's.
My mom's favorite.
I assumed dad that this past months you have been sentimental huh? and I smiled at him. Daddy never shows vulnerability when my mom was gone because he thinks that he should always be strong FOR ME.
Maybe? Does it matter, Im an old man now give me a chance sweetheart.
And now your joking back? Today is so unsual for you dad, you seem so relax.
I decided to make this day ligther for you, since lately we are just always arguing in every way. Gusto ko naman we have this kind of conversation, normal father and daugther.
Hmm, Im starting to like your melancholy dad.
And we both burst into laughter.
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The dinner was really cozy, my father has always an elegant taste when it comes to food and the venue. He always shows proper way, parang laging may guide na sinusunod. Maybe enough reason why my mom love him. Hays.
When we finished eating he ask me what I want to do next, he still have his warm aura, and somewhere in my mind it bothers me. Agad ko namang binura agad sa utak ko ang naiisip ko.
You decide dad, Im giving you this night together with your melancholic chivalry.
And he laugh again, he is really obviously happy tonigth.
Okay my pleasure. Is it ok for you to ride for long? I want to bring you to a place that is so special for me and to your mom.
Really dad? Do you really have to ask. Alam mo naman na wala akong problema sa mga ganyan.
Well then lets go?
I stand up immediately and we headed outside to my Father's car, I smiled politely to the guard since I can sense that he knows my dad.
When he was starting to drive again, we both silent. A comforting silent, maybe dad is thinking about my Mother and I give him time hanggang sa dumating kami sa isang pamilyar na lugar.
I froze.
I am brought back to the memories of this place, its been five years since the last time that I was here. Memories of my mother is now visible in all place.
This is our house. I was raised in here.
I look behind to see my dad also froze in place, I can see that he was also attacked by those sudden flashbacks. Napansin niyang naka tingin ako sa kanya, kaya ngumiti siya.
This is the place that comfort me so much, every memories of your mother and me together with you was so precious to me sweetheart.
I know dad. I know.
Yes, of course. I know it is unfair for you when I decided to move out. Hindi ko kasi kaya anak, every corner of this house held your mother's memory. And moving out was the best thing to make, for me to be able to function again.
Dad, its okay. I understand you that time you dont have to say this.
He walked inside the house and I followed him. I was shocked because everything was still in place.
I decided not to sell the house for you, I named it for you Samantha. I didn't give us both of our selves to mourn, when I acted to be strong. Ginawa mo rin anak, naging matibay ka para sa ating dalawa.
Dad, every daughter would do that.
And now Im crying minsan itong tatay ko pusong mamon pala.
Yes sweetheart and Im relieved. Because I dont know how will I handle you, could I raised you better without your Mom? I was so lost that time. Our business was just started and I have to focused for it but I also want to take care of my daugther.
Dad listen to me, you dont have to explain anything to me. I can see it dad, I feel it how much you love me. How hard for you to raised me alone, well of course Nanay Amelia could still have those credits for domestic help. But dad you are always there for me, no matter how tired of you from traveling you still attended my stage performance. And you raised me well dad, you see? Im stubborn like you.
That makes us both smile. I knew it.
And Im so proud of you Samantha for always being reasonable and passionate.
Yeah dad, so stop your melancholic self version 2.0 because it doesn't suit us you know. I still like those barks of yours.
You silly girl. Ok fine.
Dad, how come the house is still in place?
I assigned a care taker here, two months after we leave.
Can we sleep here tonight dad?
Of course, I will turn on the mains, so that we can used the ligths.
This house is really full of joyful memories, kahit minsan hindi nabahiran ng malungkot na alaala ang bahay na ito hanggang sa mawala si Mommy. Dito ako unang tumakbo, nadapa, sumulat at magbasa. We all have our first time in here. When my dad switches on the ligths, I headed to my old room.
And as what I already expected, walang nagbago. Unang nahagip ng paningin ko ang mga picture namin na nakapatung sa bedside table ko. Family picture namin, it was taken during my 14th birthday.
As memories flooded again, ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang sakit. Dad was correct, hindi nga siguro namin nabigyan ang aming sarili ng panahon para mag luksa. I didn't feel that I am already crying I started now to feel how uncomplete my life is without my mother.
