Healer

Kabanata 25

Meet

I'm sitting in the chair while watching people coming by in front of this coffee shop. It's been a week since I made Alquisada's heart transplant operation successful. I took a sip from my coffee, it's wet today. Medyo umulan nang lumabas ako sa ospital kanina, alam rin ni Seunjah magkikita kami ni Dad. After fucking long years.. I will see him again.

My phone beep.

Amore

Dumating na ba ang Daddy mo? Kung gusto mo ay sasamahan kita. I know you can do it alone by yourself but I can't bear to see you being weak in front of him.

I smile how she worried for me. Mas gugustuhin ko pa itong maramdaman keysa pagselosan ang mga lalaking kasama niya.

To Amore

Can I call? I miss your voice.

Amore

Sure, love.

I dial her number. Two rings and she answer my call.

"Hey love.." Malumanay ang kaniyang boses. Napangiti kaagad ako.

"What are you doing? Still at the hospital?" It's already 7PM. I wonder if she already eat her dinner.

"Yep. Doing rounds later, so are you really fine? Kung gusto mo, I'll come. I wanna met him rin." Maingat na pagkakasabi niya. I chuckle.

"I'll be fine, amore. Your man is a big boy already. He can take care himself."

She laugh in the other line.

"Alright. I'm just little worried about you two.. meeting each other for the first time."

"I really appreciate your concern, love. Parang lalo akong lumakas na harapin siya. Well, you're my vitamin C afterall."

"Tss. Vitamic C ka d'yan. Don't worry, Vitamin E rin kita. I can't live without you." Napakagat labi ako. Damn, this woman and her lines.

"I love you, I'm afraid I'm going to hang up first. He's already here." Pinanood ko siyang maglakad sa direksyon ko. His hair is long, hanggang balikat ito at itim na itim, his hooded eyes meet mine for the first time. Hindi man lang nagbago ang tindig at katawan nito, matangkad, maputi at singkit ang mga mata. I inherited all of my genes from my father. That's what I hated the most. We are carbon copy. I look like his junior, well, magiging junior niya talaga ako kapag hindi pinalitan ni Mommy ang pangalan ko noon. She told me about it when she's still alive.

Siemon Ruel Jung Parkers. From my father side, may lahing koreano ang pamilya nila. That's why his middle name is Jung, my grandma is full blooded korean and my grandpa is american blood. Kaya sa aming magpipinsan ako lang ay may hindi bilog na mata. I really hate to be singkit.

"Okay, I love you more." I ended the call. He's standing in front of me, wearing his favorite style ever. Faded jeans and hoodie. He never change at all. Not to mention his high-cut boots, damn. It's been years, hindi niya pa rin pinalitan?

"I'm really glad I see you again." He started. I look at him. Scanning his face tells me that my father is getting old. Hindi man nagbago ang katawan niya ay lubos na nagbago ang kaniyang mukha. He still have his chinky eyes like mine but it's getting old. His forehead is full of wrinkles, medyo kulubot na rin ang kaniyang balat dahil sa katandaan.

"It's been years since I did not see you, son."
Son, am I still his son? After those fucking years? What a big fuck joke. I am mad at him, alright. Really mad. But this old man in front of me is a big jerk but still my father.