The Past

Chapter 1: Father-and-daughter

"Hija, it's almost time. We need to go. You're tito Rod is waiting", papunta kami sa welcome party for tito Rod.

"Yes Dad, I'm coming." pagmamadaling sagot ko naman while combing my long and straight hair.

I am wearing my evening make-up matching a red lipstick in my favorite long dress, yes, this is the dress that my father gave when I graduated in college four years ago, and oh em gee!! kasya pa rin siya sa'kin, na-maintain ko ang sexiness ko, oh ha!. It is in red simple sweetheart chiffon sleeveless long dress. I match my red dress to a 3-inch silver stiletto that made me in 5' 8'' in height, oo matangkad ako. And of course hindi dapat mawala ang white silver bag ko, in a rectangular shape, nakasabit ito sa kanang balikat ko, mas prefer ko ang ganitong bag kesa sa pouch lang. Lastly, the most beautiful part I consider, none other than my black, long, and straight hair that perfectly suit to my rounded face. Tadaaa!! I'm now ready to walk runway, oops, ready for party pala. Can't help eh, super ganda talaga kasi ng dress na'to, pang-model. All thanks to dad.

"Dad, I'm done. Let's go" paakbay ko ng niyaya si dad papunta sa black mitsubishi montero sport niya.

"My girl is now a lady. You're such a beauty my LADY" seryosong sambit ni dad sa'kin na parang bang may pinupunto.

I just laugh unobtrusive nang may napansin ako bigla, "Dad wait, where's Mom?" pagtataka ko.

"She left already hija, remember your Mom organize the party, right?"

Yes, my mom organizes the party for tito Rod. It's my mom's special skills kaya nang malaman niya that they'll throw a welcome party to tito ay agad siyang nag-volunteer to organize the party. Meanwhile, tito Rod and dad, his name is Kennedy Ruiz, are friends for almost two decades, grabe friendship no, and magkasosyo rin sila sa negosyo. Halos pamilya na nga ang turingan nila sa isa't isa. After 6 years magkikita na ulit sila. And for me, this will be my first time to meet tito Rod, puro kwento lang ni dadi tungkol sa kaniya ang naririnig ko, but later on, mag-mi-meet na rin kami finally. Magkahalong kaba at excitement ang nararamdaman ko habang bumabiyahe.

Malamig na kamay ang dumapo sa kaliwang kamay ko, "Mica, anak. . . ." biglang tahimik sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Dad, Yes? What is that you want to say?" niyakap ko ang kanang braso niya. Mukhang seryoso ito kanina pa. At mukhang malalaman ko kung bakit.

"Anak, you know, me and you're mom will be the happiest and most proud parents if we see our little girl, now is a lady, to be loved by the man she loved" talagang seryoso and dadi ko sa mga salitang iyon. Hindi ko agad na-absorb ang salitang 'yun, H-Huh??.

"Ah dad, s-sorry po ano nga po ulit?" medyo naliwanagan ako pero gusto ko lang masiguro kung tama ba ang pagkaka-intindi ko sa sinabi ni dad.

"I-I mean is, kelan mo ba ipapakilala sa'min ng mommy mo ang lalaking gusto mong pakasalan?" Hala si dad wala pa nga akong boyfriend eh. "Dad, maybe, because I'm not yet ready for that. Gusto ko pang mag-stay sa inyo ni mommy. Why with the sudden question dad?"

"Gusto kasi namin ng mommy mo na maging masaya ka anak." dugtong bigla ni dad.

"D-Dad-. . . " masaya naman akong kasama kayo ah. 'Di pa ba sapat 'yun. Gusto na ata nila ako paalisin eh

"I know that you're happy with us, anak" nagulat ako sa biglang putol niya sa'kin. Mindreader. -eh 'yun naman pala dad eh., "Of course naman Dad, kaya nga-" "Honey, you're mom and I, are getting old." putol ulit ni dad. "But not too old Dad, look you're still strong and handsome, same goes to mom", sabay pisil ko sa baba niya. He just chuckled and continues to speak, "Ayan ka na naman, you're not taking things seriously."