A Comeback when the First Tear Dropped (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 19

Ika-labing Siyam na Kabanata

#ACWTFTDMissed

Today's Papa's last day dito sa St. Peter at alas cinco palang ng hapon pero marami nang dumarating at nakikiramay. Mas nagiging busy kami ni Keena dahil sa pag-aasikaso ng bisita. At least sa ginagawa ko, hindi ako nagagawang istorbohin ng lungkot at nawawalan ako ng time mag isip-isip tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay.

I tried to smile at the visitors as long as I can. Kahit mahirap sa kalagayan ko, pinipilit ko na iahon ulit iyong sarili ko sa bangungot na 'to. I couldn't just let myself drown again from sadness because it's been too much for the past four years. Kung hanggang ngayon nga nalulungkot pa rin ako kapag naaalala ko si Alex tapos madadagdagan na naman ulit? Feeling ko kaunti nalang, I'll end up giving up my messy life.

Hours passed, hindi ko namalayan na lumalalim na ang gabi. Some of Papa's biggest clients came just to see him kahit sandali lang at sapat na iyon para maging masaya si Papa even though I knew that a part of him was still sad because he's still expecting Mama to come and see him for the last time.

I was busy accommodating the visitors when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw Tita Elie and Tito Emmanuel.

"Tita... Tito..." I said as I saw them. I put a small smile on my face at pinaupo muna sila.

"Condolence," They said. A small smile was drew on my face again.

"Pasensya na at hindi kami nakapunta kahapon, ha? Busy kasi ang Tito Emmanuel mo," Tita Elie explained. I just nodded.

Nagulat ako nang biglang kuhanin ni Tita iyong kamay ko. "Be strong, anak. We're here for you," She said.

"Thank you, po," I simply said. "Kuhanan ko lang po kayo ng makakain," I said. I was about to stand up nang bigla akong paupuin ulit ni Tita.

"I'm so sorry, anak. Wala kaming nagawa para sa Papa mo," She said and I saw that her eyes were starting to get teary.

"Wala po kayong kasalanan, Tita. Siguro palad ko lang po talaga mawalan ng mahal sa buhay," I said, smiling at them fakely.

"Don't say that, Kren. Kung may nawala man sa 'yo four years ago at ngayon, sure ako na may darating na mas maganda. You don't have to blame yourself kung may nawawala man na mahal mo sa buhay, okay?" She said, still crying. Sa sobrang lungkot ko, napayakap ako kay Tita. Tito Emmanuel hugged us both.

Thank, God, I still have these two. Kahit na nawala iyong anak nila, hindi pa rin nagbago iyong tingin nila sa akin. They're just too much to ask for. Ang swerte ko dahil mababait iyong magulang ni Alex.

"Thank you, Tito and Tita. Thank you for everything," I sincerely said to them. I was just really thankful that I met them.

"Asikasuhin mo na muna iyong mga ibang bisita, anak. Ako na ang bahala sa Tita Elie mo," Tito Emmanuel suggested. I smiled at them bago ako nagsimulang tumayo at nag-asikaso pa ng ibang mga bisita.

I was about to talk to Papa's clients when someone caught my attention. I looked at him as he entered the door and I was in complete shock to see him here. Akala ko hindi ko na ulit siya makikita after that day pero I was wrong.

I began walking towards him and greeted. "Hi," I said, approaching him.

He smiled at me. "Sorry I wasn't able to see you for the past few days," He said. Naintindihan ko naman since lawyer siya. Feeling ko nga kakagaling lang niya sa trabaho tapos dumiretso na agad siya rito para dumalaw. Naka suot pa kasi siya ng formal suit.

"It's fine. Ikaw lang ba mag-isa?" I asked him, looking at his back kung kasama may kasama ba siya but I've seen none.

Ron looked at me and then he looked at his back. Bigla akong hindi makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko dahil sa nakita ko kung sino ang papasok sa pinto. I wasn't able to move and breathe normally at the same time. Oh my god...