Dela Cuesta Series #2: Captured By You [COMPLETED]

Kabanata XI

When I was a little kid, I used to believe that I am daddy's only princess. He may not have most of the time for me but when I am with him,he will guaranteed his time and love for me.

Nakangiti sinalubong ng mainit na yakap si Daddy pagkabukas pa lang ng pinto ng bahay namin. He laughed as my small arms surrounds his thighs.

"I miss you daddy! " matinis na saad ko. Mom on the other hand was just smiling from our grand staircase. She was watching and smiling only wearing her white robe and maybe her silk night dress underneath.

Hinarap niya sa mukha ko ang isang malaking paper bag na naging dahilan kung bakit ko siya nabitawan. My eyes shimmered as it grew wider when I excitedly unwrapped the paper bag.

"I'm sorry if daddy can't come yesterday." Wala roon ang atensyon ko.  My eyes  were busied examining my new barbie doll house.  "That's my gift for my smart princess. " He kissed the tip of my head.

Yesterday was my graduation. Nagtampo pa ako sa kanya dahil I thought he will be the one who will attend my recognition but he said, he can't make it. But he promised that he will made up for me and here he is making up. 

Tumingala ako para matignan siya sa mukha. My smile was from ear to hear whilst hugging the paper bag using my small arms. "Thank you daddy! You are the best!" I even tried to gavey thumb's up for him kahit ja hirap na hirap.

He chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Anything for my Princess," he said.

Mommy made her way to ours. She walked downstairs with a smile on her face. Nakita ko ang bahagyang pagkawala ng ngiti sa mukha ni Daddy pero nang makita akong nakatingin sa kanya ay ngumiti na lang ulit siya at bahagyang inilagay ang kanyang kamay sa aking munting balikat.

"Let's eat, I already prepared for our breakfast," salubong ni Mommy.

Nauna itong maglakad sa kusina. Ako naman ay tumingala kay daddy at iginiya siya papuntang kitchen. He laughed but he stopped as his phone rung.

Natigilan ito at tumikhim ng bahagya nang makita ang cellphone. He looked at me and smile. "Wait princess,  daddy has an important call. "

Nakangusong nauna ako sa kitchen habang pabaling-baling ang tingin kay daddy.  Mommt busied herself to put some food on my plate.

"Kain na, Prinsesa ko." Nakasimangot kong inabot ang kutsara at saka masamang tinignan ang humahangos na si Daddy. He looked at my mom and walked towards me.

He kneeled in front of me and he hold both of my hands. "Baby, something came up. Daddy needs to leave."

Nakagat ko ang loob ng bibig ko.  Iniwas ko ang mga mata ko sa kanya saka tinignan lang ang kamay noya na nakapatong sa mga kamay ko. "But you said you will made up for me, "mahina kong bulong.

"I'm sorry, Princess. But daddy needs to leave. I have an emergency meeting." Napatingin pa siya kay Mommy na nahuli kong napabuntong-hininga bago lumapit sa amin.

Like daddy, she kneeled in front of me and stared at my eyes seriously. "Prinsesa ko, daddy have some errands to do," marahan ang bawat salita niya pero umiwas pa rin ako ng tingin sa kanya.

She placed her hand on my thighs. "Daddy will surely be sad if he would leave thinking his princess is mad, you want that? "

I shrugged my head repeatedly but I can't take their eyes on me. "But Daddy said he will make up for me today,"malungkot ang boses. I even played with my little fingers as my lips were slighty pouted.

"Daddy will have a time for us once he finished his work, right Daddy?" I saw how he nodded and kissed my forehead. 

Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumango na lang. I can't even do anything. Daddy will just have a heavy heart if I don't forgive him.

Doon pa lang dapat nagduda na ako. He may showered me with all the materials things but he never showed up at my special events like birthdays, graduation and even special holidays like christmas evening and new year.

Nakatingala ako sa harap ng malaking christmas tree na kakatapos lang namin lagyan ng dekorasyon. My lips upcurved as mommy put the big star on top of it.

"Mommy,si daddy na po ang mag open ng christmas lights po, " I excitedly said.  I even clasped both of hands and stared at the christmas tree dreaming.

Bumaba siya sa hagdan kung saan siya tumuntong at lumapit sa akin. She smiled and nodded her head as he slowly stroked my hair. "Daddy will surely be the one to light it. "

"What time daddy will come home? " I asked innocently. She was busy using her phone, trying to have a phone call but it always dissapoint her.

My heart felt empty. Many hours passed but still no sign of daddy. My mom was still busy on her phone was walking back and forth.  Minsanan pang itong tumitingin sa akin at kapag nakita niyang nakatingin ako ay ngingiti lang ito at bahagyang itataas ang palad—signalling me to wait for her.

Malungkot kong tinignan ang lamesa na puno na ng mga pagkain. Pero hindi nagawang pasayahin ng mga pagkain na nakahain ang batang puso ko.

I inhaled deeply as I stood up from mu sit. Lumapit ako kay Mommy at hinawakan ang kamay niya. "Mom."

I noticed how she gently wiped her eyes and making it big. "Yes Prinsesa ko? "

I smiled sadly. "Let's eat na.  Daddy won't make it, right? "

"No, I'm sure daddy will be here any minute."

I shrugged my head and playfully rubbed my stomach. "The food is waiting and my little tummy is hungry." I pouted making her smile and pinched my cheeks.

She glanced at her phone for the last time before holding my hand to guide me on our dining area.

I took a deep breath as my eyes were feasted on the crickets that gave noises.

"Ang lalim no'n ah." I smiled as I felt Tita's presence. Nakatukod ang parehong kamay ko sa hamba ng teresa na gawa sa kahoy.

This house is from my abuela's family kaya medyo may kalumaan na. Dito raw nagbabakasyon si Mommy at sila lola kapag gusto nilang makalayo sa maduming hangin sa Manila.

We only had a house from Abuela because Tita cutted her insurances and begin a new life with me. She had been sacrificed a lot for me and I'm happy and thankful about that.

"Tita, kung kasingtapang at kasinglakas ako nung Kelsie noon, siguro naging sapat na ako kay Mommy para mabuhay. "I bit my inner cheek as my eyes started to feel sore. "Siguro hindi niya na naisip na iwan ako..."

Mabilis na kinain ni Tita ang layo naming dalawa saka ikinulong ako sa mga bisig niya. Her warmth let me feel the ease. She was the only person I have now. "Kelsie hija, ano ba yang sinasabi mo? "

I pulled away from the hugged before wiping the tears that was camping on my eyes. I shrugged my shoulder, tinuon ang mga mata ko sa mga daliri ko. "Wala Tita, I suddenly realized how pampered I was as a little kid. Kaya siguro napagod na si Mom," I joked around trying to take the tension. "Ayun iniwan ako." I laughed.

"Hija, your mom loves you," she stated.  Alam ko naman yun.  Alam ko na mahal na mahal ako ni Mommy kaya masakit din sa kanya na iwanan ako pero siguro I put so muh pressure on her to give me a happy family that I used to have. Hindi ko napansin na nahihirapan na siya at nasasaktan.

I chuckled and nodded my head. I placed my arms on the railings feeling the cold breeze. I even clasped my hands and gently stroked it together.

"Hija, walang magulang ang hindi mahal ang anak niya." Siya na ang gumawa ng paraan para mapasandal ako sa dibdib niya bago niya hinimas ang ulo ko para kumalma. "Alam ko na mahal na mahal ka ng mommy mo at proud na proud siya sa 'yo. "

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Itutuloy...