"When I first saw you inside the basket..." Ngumiti si Uncle Jess upon remembering that day. "Ang cute-cute mo. You were just this small..." Sinukat pa niya using both hands. Siguro nasa 1 foot lang.
Exaggerated naman siya magkwento. I've seen my photos back then sa storage room. I listened to him carefully. I can see his eyes shining in amusement.
"Akala ko talaga di ka na lalaki noon. Tama pala ang hinala ko." Pinalo ko siya sa braso. Heto na naman siya sa pang-aapi niya sa akin. Sakto lang naman ang height ko, eh. Di naman ako pandak. Sadyang matangkad lang talaga si Uncle Jess.
"And when I held you, I was so sure that I'll keep you..." He looks at me in the eyes. He has unshed tears, kaya tuloy namasa din ang sulok ng mga mata ko. Kumurap-kurap ako to secretly shove it away. Kasi naman...
Ang laki-laking tao ni Uncle tapos ang drama niya. Kilala ko na kung sinong pinagmanahan ko! My gas Cassey!
"Your mother left you in front of the guardhouse with a note on it addressed to Kuya Franco. Do you wanna know her?" curious niyang tanong.
"Maybe?" hindi ako sigurado. I don't know if I'm ready for it. Saka, anong sasabihin ko?
Hi! Ako po 'yong cute na baby na iniwan mo noon, 24 years ago. Maganda at sexy na ngayon. Natawa ako sa itinatakbo ng isip ko.
"Someday..." pahayag ko. Tumango siya na tila nauunawaan ang ibig kung sabihin. Kapag totally recovered na ako at nakapagsimula nang muli. I don't hate her for leaving me. I'm sure she has her reasons.
"Why did Dad took me in if he can't love me like a real daughter?" naguguluhan kong tanong. He can easily abandon and throw me out.
"Long story, pumpkin-"
"There's something you're not telling me..." hula ko. One thing I've learned about being with that sleepy-head friend of mine is the ability to deduct and make the sixth sense work. Nag-iwas siya ng mata when I tried to catch his.
You will tell me or you will tell me..." offering him an option. Kung may option ba diyan.
"You're unfair. You know I will always give you your whims. You're spoiled." Naiiling na wika niya.
"Sinong may kasalanan?" I questioned. Every time I request something, as long as he's around and kaya naman ng powers niya, he will give it to me. Kaya bulag na lang kung sino ang aayaw at di magkakagusto kay Uncle Jess. He's my Filipino version of a genie, minus the bottle.
"You know Dad, right?" Panimula niya pagkatapos humugot ng malalim na hininga. He's referring to my grandfather. "I was the favorite. And he was about to make me the head of the agency. But Kuya Franco, your dad has been aiming to run the company since college."
"And then?" I probed. It caught my interest and curiosity.
BINABASA MO ANG
Breaking Free From Envy
Chick-LitMETANOIA SERIES 3 [COMPLETED] "If I was a pain you are willing to endure, you are the love I am amenable to wait..." -Dee I am Freya Dionne Jacinto, broken with my sana all. But He gave me the strength to break free from envy. DATE STARTED: July 19...
