To Get To You

19

95 days before the arrival of the Millet Comet.

Nakaupo kami ngayon dito sa sala. Mga ilang minuto pa kasi magmula noong dumating sila Mama at Papa bago ako napakalma sa pag-iyak. Nagtataka nga sila kung bakit naging ganoon ang reaksyon ko.

"Drink this first, Everleigh." inabutan ako ni Mama ng tubig.

Tumingin ako kay Mama at napaiyak na naman ako dahil doon kaya natataranta silang lumapit sa akin at inalo ako.

"Is there a problem, Everleigh?" kunot noong tanong ni Papa habang nakapameywang na tinitignan ako.

I was just so overwhelmed with everything. Never in my life na inakala kong puwede ko pa ulit silang mayakap at makita nang ganito.

"W-wala po. Namiss ko lang po kayo." sabi ko at nagsimula na naman akong maiyak.

Nakita ko namang nagkatinginan sila.

"I'm sorry. We are just not used to you being this sweet." nag-aalinlangang sabi ni Papa.

Hindi ba siya ganito kila Mama?

"Ibig sabihin ba nito napatawad mo na kami--"

"Beverly, let's not go there." may pagbabantang sabi ni Papa.

Nakita ko namang alinlangang ngumiti si Mama. Mas lalo pa siyang lumapit sa akin.

"You know that we only want what's best for you, right?" marahang sabi niya habang hinahaplos ang aking buhok.

Tumango ako.

My eyes began to water again. How I missed this.

"As much as we want to stay here, we have far more important things to do, Everleigh. We just came here to check on you." Papa said in a stern voice.

Natigilan ako sa tono ng boses niya. My father, in my world, was never stern. He was always warm and kind. Kaya magaan ang loob sa kaniya ng mga tao.

I will forever be my Papa's girl.

"B-bakit po kayo aalis? Hindi po ba pwedeng dito na lang po muna kayo?" I asked in a pleading voice.

Nagkatinginan na naman silang dalawa. They are exchanging weird looks with each other.

"May aasikasuhin lang kami but we will be back, Everleigh." nakangiting sabi ni Mama.

I want to go with them but I know that they won't allow me. Gusto ko lang naman sana silang makasama nang mas matagal.

Bigla akong napaharap sa kanila nang may naalala.

"Si Vicky po pala? Hindi niyo po kasama?" I asked in a hopeful voice.

Nakita ko naman kung paano napalitan ng pagtataka ang mga itsura nila.

"Who's Vicky?" nagtatakang tanong ni Papa.

I was taken aback. Parang hindi ko maproseso ang narinig ko.

"Wala po ba akong kapatid?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

"What are you saying Everleigh? Do not disrespect your Mom like that! Why are you so insensitive? You know she had her ovaries removed after you because of cancer, right?" mariing sabi ni Papa.

"Nick calm down." inalo siya ni Mama.

I didn't know and I was too shocked to even move.