Parted Ways

EPILOGUE

"Really? You got 3 stars and 2 very goods from teacher?"

"Yes, daddy! Mommy took pictures she will show you later!" she excitedly said.

I fakely get along with her excitement. "Ang galing naman ng baby na 'yan!"

She kept on telling me her achievements for the past weeks as I carry her while walking with her mother to take our seat.

Oo nga pala, ilang linggo ko na rin siyang hindi nadadalaw.

"Daddy!"

Nagulat ako at napahawak nalang sa dibdib ko.

"I am telling you a story po and you are not listening." she pouted and said in a hurt voice.

"I'm sorry baby but can you lower your voice? You're on my lap you can just say it in a normal pitch. Maraming tao sa paligid, okay?" I said as I caress her hair.

She then nodded excitedly and continued on telling me her story.

May naramdaman akong siko na kanina pa tinatabig ang akin ding siko. I can't take a glance to whom it is because Selena wants my full attention on her. Even her mother na kasama niya na araw-araw ay ayaw din niyang mawala ang atensiyon nito sa kaniya.

"That's it?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes, daddy!" she answered with a smile too.

I then patted her head but I got startled when she hugged me tight, tighter and tighter.

"I miss you so much daddy, please go home."

I don't know how to react.

I felt both flattered and hurt.

I am so sorry, Selena.

"Selena!" sigaw sa harap namin kaya naman ay tuluyan ko nang naibaling sa iba ang aking atensiyon.

"Ninong!" she giggled and then run towards Samuel.

I fixed my suit and when I turned my glance on the side, I saw Asher looking at me and standing.. alone.

Where is she?

"Ang sweet pala ng anak mo, Caden!" sabi ng isa.

Hindi ko napansin kung sino man ang nagsabi noon dahil nakapako ang atensiyon namin ni Asher sa isa't isa.

Ilang segundo at minuto ang lumipas ngunit hindi pa rin napatid ang aming titigan.

Ano bang problema nito?

Wala namang patutunguhan ito, kung ako man ang bumitaw at matalo sa titigang ito, okay lang. Matagal na akong talo sa kaniya, wala eh, nasa kaniya na 'yung taong pinaka-mamahal ko. Talong-talo na ako.

I fixed my necktie and stood up to go to Selena when I heard a familiar voice,

"Ash? Sunduin mo na raw siya."

"Everyone, sunduin ko lang ang asawa ko. Babalik ako mamaya kasama siya." sabi niya nang may diin sa huling mga salita.

Bago pa man siya umalis, humakbang na ako palayo.

"Pare."

Samuel tapped my shoulder. "Tara na?"

Hinawakan ko ang kaliwang kamay ng bata at sabay-sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa aming upuan.

Tuloy-tuloy ang kwentuhan namin sa aming lamesa hanggang sa kinailangan muna naming manahimik dahil kailangan magsalita ng mga panauhin.

When their turn came, I tried enough to gather myself and not to walk out.