Oh My Chef

Chapter 2

"Carl we're already here at the airport. Asan na ba kayo?"

While waiting for our ride I open my tablet and plug my earphones. I played my favorite song and slowly close my eyes. Napapitlag ako nang may kamay tumakip sa mata ko. I opened my eyes and all I can see is darkness kaya tinanggal ko ang kamay at nilingon ang nagmamay-ari ng kamay and saw my cousin, Miko and his father, tito Carlos.

"Kanina pa po ba kayo?" Tanong ko habang binabalik ang tablet at earphone sa bag.

Umiling si Miko. "No we just arrived," sagot nito.

Tumango lang ako at pinuntahan si tita na mukhang kanina pa naiinip.

"Tita they're already here." She looked at me then went straight to tito Carl who's already waiting at the car. I sat at the back seat with Miko while tita sat at the passenger seat.

The ride only took fifteen minutes. We arrived at our house. The gate slowly opened on it's own. Nang makapark na si tito ay kinuha ko na ang bag ko.

"Welcome back Mikah!"  Nagulat ako nang makita ang tatlo kong pinsan ko, si auntie Clara at si uncle Ralph. My three cousins were holding a popped party popper while auntie Clara is holding a birthday cake and unle Ralph holding a tarpaulin with my face and a "Happy Birthday Mikah Safari Triton" written on it.

"Welcome back and happy birthday Mikah!" Sabay-sabay nilang sigaw at nakisali narin si tita Laecy.

Naiyak na ako at nagsilapitan sila sa akin para bigyan ako ng yakap.

"I can't belive it, you're already a lady," auntie Clara said while wiping her tears.

Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang sayang nararamdaman ko, but...I feel there's something missing. A missing peice in my heart. Maraming kaarawan ang nagdaan and now I'm already twenty-three, she would be really proud of me. How I wish I can see her one more time.

"It's okay sweetie. I'm sure she's really proud that you've graduated college," tita Laecy said while patting my shoulder.

"Thanks tita," I smiled sweetly at her.

"Hey birthday girl don't just stand there. Blow the candle and make a wish!" Napunta ang atensyon ko kay tito na sumigaw at kinakaway ang kamay.

Pailing-iling akong lumapit sa lamesa kung saan nakalapag ang cake. I closed my eyes and make a wish then blew the candle.

We're in the middle of eating when dad came in. Tss...gabi na naman siyang umuwi. Hindi parin siya nagbabago. Kahit dati ay palagi siyang late umuwi at madalas lang sumabay kumain sa amin ni mommy.

When he's eyes landed on me, with his tired face he smiled. "Happy birrthday my daughter, and welcome back." That's what I loved about him. Kahit na palagi siyang busy hindi niya parin nakakalimutan na kaarawan ko.

Agad ko siyang niyakap at gumanti rin siya. I miss how his arms embrace me.

"I miss you dad." Lalo kong hinigpitan ang yakap ko. Wala na akong pakealam kung hindi na siya makakahinga, all I want is to hug him tight.

"I miss you too, sweetie. I'm sorry kung hindi kita masiyadong natatawagan. You know how busy I am." Bumitaw na siya sa yakap kaya binitawan ko narin siya.

Sabay kaming umupos sa hapag kainan. Kanya-kanya kaming kuha ng aming kakainin.

"How was your stay in America? Did you enjoy?" Biglang tanong ni dad sa kalagitnaan ng aming pagkakain.

"It was great. I met a lot of friends who are kind." I answered.

"That's good to hear." Nakangiti niyang sabi. "Let's enjoy your birthday tonight." Tumango ako upang sumangayon sa sinabi ni dad.

Nang matapos kaming kumain pumunta silang lahat sa salas samantalang ako ay umupo lang sa sofa habang pinapanood sila at may ngiting hindi maialis. When I looked at dad I saw him walking towards me.

I'm glad...I'm glad God didn't took him away from me.

"Can we talk?" Tanong niya nang makalapit na siya sa akin. "Father and daughter time," he said which made me even smile more.

I stood up and followed him until we reached  the garden. We silently sat on the bench bellow the tree house. This tree house was built by him when I was only six years old. We used to play here with mom.

Nanatili lang kaming nakaupo habang tinatanaw ang mga bituing nagkikislap sa madilim na kalangitan. Mga bituing nagbibigay liwanag sa kadiliman.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi isipin ang lalakeng nagbigay lakas sa akin nung araw na halos sumuko na ako. He made me realize that even though my mother's not here anymore, she's still out there, somewhere, guiding me.

"I'm sorry." My thoughts were cut off when dad talked. I look at him as he silently watch the stars. The lights coming from the stars reflected his face showing a sad expression.

"For what?" I asked.

"Sorry for not being with you for the past nine years. Sorry for being cold to you suddenly. Sorry for not having time with you. An I'm sorry for not there to comfort you when you needed it. Ever since she's gone, I've grown distance to you. Blaming myself for what happened."

I gently caress his back. "Don't be sorry dad. I know you're trying your best. I'm not mad at you, instead I'm happy--- happy that you're still here fighting," I said.

I should be happy right now. This isn't the time to sulk around. I should enjoy this moment.

"How I wish we haven't had an accident. How I wish I listened to her when she tried to tell me that she had this bad feeling something's gonna happened." Dad's voice cracked.

The wounds in his heart is still fresh.

Something popped out in my mind. I've always wanted to ask this question but I couldn't. I guess this is the right time.

"Dad..." I started. He looked at me and there I saw tears falling down his eyes. "What really happened that day?" I asked.

I saw how his expression turned from sadness to anger. His eyes looks like daggers now. He gritted his teeth and now the person in front of me is not the dad I saw earlier.

"Someone tried to kill us."