A Comeback when the First Tear Dropped (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 20

Ika-dalawampung Kabanata

#ACWTFTDVisit

"I never imagined this situation as of the moment. Alam ko naman na may hangganan ang buhay ng tao pero hindi ko lang lubos maisip na ngayon 'yong end ni Papa," I said, still breathing heavily.

They remained silent while I was still holding the mic. "I just don't know how to function anymore. Kasama ko na si Papa through my ups and down and now that he's gone, I don't know where to find his carbon copyㅡo kung mayroon ba talaga siya nun," I said. I turned around and looked at Papa for the last time.

"Pa, you're now having the peace that you deserve. I'll keep everything you've taught and told me since I was a kid. Thank you for being my hero and for proving that good men still exist. You'll always have a special place in my heart. I love you for the last time," I continued before I got back to my seat.

Tirik ang araw pero ramdam ko iyong lamig ng paligid. I know that he's still here with usㅡlike he doesn't want to proceed but he needs to. I looked at the right side at napangiti ako ng bahagya nang matanaw ko iyong lapida ni Alex. Napagdesisyunan kasi namin na magkatabi nalang sila ni Alex dahil parang pamilya na rin naman namin sila.

"Papa..." I heard Keena whispered while crying. Niyakap ko siya at saka nagsimula naming tignan kung paano nila ilagay iyong kabaong ni Papa sa ilalim ng lupa.

Mama's also crying as well as Tita Elie. Hindi ko na tinignan iyong mga nasa likod ko dahil sila Ron, Haisley, Paul at Alexis lang naman ang nandoon. The rest were Papa's friends and clients.

After mailibing ni Papa, nagsi-uwian na iyong mga ibang tao. Halos kami nalang iyong natira rito sa sementeryo habang nakatingin sa lapida ni Papa at Alex.

"Let's just go back here when everything's fine," Biglang sabi ni Mama kaya napatingin kami sa kanya.

"Welcome home, Tonie," Tita Elie commented. Mama just smiled.

"Mauuna na kami," Tita added before they left. Sumunod na rin si Alexis at Ron kaya kaming tatlo nalang nila Keena at Mama ang naiwan.

"Kren..." Mama called.

I looked at her. "Yes, Ma?" I asked.

"Saan ka na uuwi ngayon?" She asked. Natahimik ako bigla.

The last time that I remember is kaya ako pansamantalang umuwi sa bahay ay dahil aalagaan ko si Papa at ngayon na wala na siya, parang hindi ko na alam kung nasaan na ulit iyong direksyon ng araw ko.

Parang ang hirap magsimula ulit.

Parang ang hirap ngumiti ulit.

Para bang hindi ko na alam kung kaya ko pa ba umahon ulit.

"Sa condo na muna, Ma. Kayo po ba?" I asked. Ayoko naman kasi na pangunahan siya na sa bahay na siya ulit titira. Gusto ko kasi sa kanya mismo manggaling.

"I'll stay at our house forever. Hindi na ulit ako aalis," She said, smiling at us.

I smiled at her too. "That's good, Ma. Thank you," I said. "Mauna na po kayo ni Keena, Ma. After po kasi nito, pupunta pa ako sa office," I told her.

They both nodded before they left me. Tinignan ko sila hanggang sa makaalis sila at mawala na sa paningin ko. Bumalik ako ng tingin kay Papa at kay Alex.

I lighted up the candle I brought earlier at saka inilagay iyon sa lapida nilang dalawa. I smiled and tried to look at them for the last time.

"I'll try to smile again. I promise," I said before I left.