Flashed Golden Photographs (Sunset Avenues #1)

Chapter 45

Chapter 45 

Warmth

This is your home.

I stood there, with my heart aching in mixed emotions. It was a moment worth capturing. Isang ama na sinasalubong ang kan'yang anak sa pinangarap niyang destinasyon.

Hopie clung his arms around his neck while Archi caressed his son's back. He whispered something. Nakapikit ang mga mata at dinadama ang mahigpit na yakap ng anak. Kalaunan ay tumango-tango si Hopie sa kung anuman ang sinasabi ni Archi. Wala na nga yatang planong kumawala ang bawat isa sa kanila.

"I love you, son." Iyon ang pagkakabasa ko sa buka ng kan'yang labi. Punong-puno ng emosyon ang mga mata niya pagdilat.

I didn't give attention to the cameras around. I slowly nodded, you made the right decision of coming here, Sammy. Para kay Hopie.

My eyes were fixated on them. Dinala niya si Hopie sa mismong 6 yard box at ibinaba.

He's so cute with his football uniform. The color of striped blue, red and yellow. While Archi's still wearing a long sleeve jersey. Hindi pa ata iyon ang gagamitin niya sa mismong match. Hopie was like the mini version of his father, the spitting image of DLR8.

Footballers who also at the same time are fathers were also with them. Archi gave Hopie a ball. Iginiya ang bata malapit sa goalpost. I heard cheers from the fans of Barça nearby that were meant for DLR8 and for the mysterious carbon copy of him, his son.

Pinanood ko silang mag-ama. I couldn't put a name to my emotions. Magkahalong saya, paghanga, sakit at panghihinayang. Sa lahat ng emosyon na iyon, isa ang nangingibabaw. I'm happy for the both of them. I'm happy that my son's happy.

Archi instructed Hopie to kick it. My son has been smiling from ear to ear. Tumingin muna siya sa pwesto ko. I gave him a thumbs-up.

"I love you, baby!" I mumbled. He smiled genuinely before he turned his full attention to his father.

He's instructing Hopie with what to dos. Masunuring tumango-tango naman ang huli. He'd be delighted to show his father his skills. At a very young age, he developed the undeniable flare for football. Kagaya rin ng ama niya noong nagsisimula pa lang siya sa bayan namin.

Humakbang si Archi patungo sa goalpost. He bent down on his knees, encouraging Hopie to kick the ball.

"Kick the ball, De los Rios!" Archi urged. Ngumiti siya sa anak. Tumingin muli si Hopie sa akin. He suddenly ran to my direction na siyang kinagulat ko.

Sinalubong ko siya tsaka ako lumuhod. Sumunod pala si Archi sa kanyang likod. Lalong lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko.

"Why?" I gently asked. "What's wrong, Hopie?"

Tumingala ako sa ama niya pero blangko ang ekspresyon na ipinupukol niya sa akin kaya umiwas din ako.

"Mama, I want you there." Inginuso niya ang goalpost.

"But I can't do football, baby.." paliwanag ko.

Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang balikat "DLR8 will going to teach you.."

Tumingala ako kay Archi. His eyes travelled to what I am wearing. Humalukipkip siya. "You're a goalkeeper back then," he murmured.

I took a sharp breath. Nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Hopie, nagtatanong na ang kan'yang mata.

"You were a goalkeeper, Mama?"

Who said I was a goalkeeper back then? Ginawa ko lang iyon dahil sa mga bata, sa mga batang tinuturuan niya noon. That was ages ago! Highschool pa lang kami noon. Hanggang ngayon pa rin ba naaalala niya iyon?