Heart 2: Precious Heart

CHAPTER 58

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PRECIOUS RUBIE'S POV

"M-Mang Inasal?" Deilan's face creased. "What the freak is this?"

"Fast food restaurant," I simply answered as we take our way towards the restau.

"It's too crowded and noisy, Mom!" Pzrae protested.

"Naku! Masarap d'yan! Nakakailang kanin ako." Excited na excited ang bakla, akala mo ililibre ko.

"Ate Maria, you're not eating with us," pambubuyo ng kapatid ko na dinilaan pa ang bakla.

"We just have rode that hassle jeepney! I don't like eating here!" pagdadabog pa ng anak ko.

"Then find a five star restaurant here and eat there alone." I arched my brow at her na parang magkapatid lang kami.

"Lolo." He pulled the hem of Dad's shirt, asking for help.

"No. Do not spoil her, Dad." Pinanlakihan ko ng mata si Dad bago pa siya makapagsalita. "Go inside and look for a table. I'll order."

"I don't want here, e!" Papadyak-padyak pa. Lumaking maarte, spoiled kasi ng Lolo.

Kita ko pang pinaglilingunan ng mga babae si Mario at si Deilan. Hindi nila alam barbie 'yong isa. Hmp!

"Hmm! Their chicken is good, huh?" Deilan commented while we're eating. Nagsakol pa ang kapatid ko at gumaya sa akin!

Napasimangot lang ako kasi hindi na siya marunong. Samantalang dati, e ang galing niya magkamay kahit ang liliit ng daliri niya. Jusme.

"Yuck, Tito! Why are you eating with your bare hands?" nangangasim na tanong ni Rae. "Eww!" She rolled her eyes at Deilan.

"This is called pagsasakol." Sumubo ako ng kanin. "You should learn it. Don't be maarte. Your father don't like maartes." Conyo ko, pfft!

"I'm not maarte! I'm just being formal!" she argued. "Right, 'Lo?"

Pinanlakihan ko ulit ng mata si Dad, a reason for him to just shrugged at my daughter.

"And I don't care 'bout my freaking father---"

"Pzrae!" I raised my voice that made her stop. "Do not talk about your father like that!"

She rolled her eyes in the air.

"Kuya, kanin pa!" tawag ni Mario do'n sa isang guwapong crew. Hinawakan pa niya ang braso ng lalaki na may dalang timba ng kanin at parang takot na takot. "Huwag ka na d'yang aalis," panlalandi ng bakla. Jusme!

"Don't be rude, Pzrae. Your Dad is nice," Dad muttered sweetly at my daughter.

"If he's nice, then why didn't he look for me? If he's nice, where the hell is he? He's not nice. He did not even attended any of my birthday parties nor graduations. He's not nice. He's not."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi ng anak ko. Gusto kong sumang-ayon... gusto kong sabihin na "oo, anak, he's not nice", pero... it's wrong for Zarious' part. It's unfair for him.

Halos isa at kalahating dekada na ang nakalipas... and I still can't forget the pain he inflicted in me. That's painful... and I can't do anything but to savor the pain.

I can't do anything but to treat my own wounds alone.

Pero kahit gaano pa kasakit ang naranasan ko sa kaniya... Pzrae is still his daughter. He still deserves to know about her.

Oo, hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya. Maybe he has children and wife now. Maybe he has a happy and perfect life now... basta gusto kong ipakilala sa kaniya ang anak namin.