Xiomara, how have you been? It's been years since we lost our contact. Call me right away when you received this message. I have something very important to tell you. This is my number ***
Something very important.
Nagpaalam na ako kay Klein upang makabalik sa condo ko. Nagmadali na akong nagshower at nagbihis para malaman ang sasabihin niya. Ni-dial ko ang numerong binigay niya at ilang ring pa ang dumaan bago niya 'yon sinagot.
"Hello?" the other line asked.
Huminga ako nang malalim bago sumagot.
"Yohan, it's me Xiomara."
"Xiomara?" Narinig ko ang pagtayo niya at pag excuse sa sarili.
Medyo maingay ang background niya at nang tumahimik na ito ay saka pa lamang siya nagsalita.
"Xiomara! Thank God you responded. I've been trying to trace you. Bakit ngayon ka lang nag reactivate ng account?!"
"Sorry, Yohan. I've been very busy."
"For ten years, Xiomara?!" pagalit na asik niya.
"I pursued dermatology. It took long. I'm sorry. Bakit? ano'ng problema? You said you have very important to say?" Umupo ako sa dresser at pinagmasdan ang sarili.
He snorted.
"Si Dad. He said he wanted to see you."
My mouth slightly opened.
"He's now paralyzed and he doesn't look good anymore. Ang tagal na niyang hinihingi sa akin na makita ka pero hindi ko naman alam kung saan ka hahanapin."
My mouth ran dry. Papà's paralyzed now?
"I tried to go to California five years ago but I didn't find you. Social media was the only way but it's still deactivated."
"Kailan pa, Yohan?" tanong ko.
"Five years ago."
That's when he stop sending money. Dahil ba doon?
"How's he now?" nag aalalang tanong ko.
"As I've said, he doesn't look good anymore. I visit him every week since I'm busy with my business too. Nasa bahay na lang siya ngayon."
"What?! Bakit hindi niyo dalhin sa ospital? Mas mapapabuti siya doon. Si Tita Amelie? Pumayag ba siya rito?"
Bumuntong hininga siya at matagal bago sumagot.
"Wala na si Mommy at Samantha sa bahay. Maging si Kuya Julian. Mag isa na lang si Dad doon bukod sa private nurse at mga katulong."
Napaawang ang bibig ko.
"Bakit naman nila gagawin 'yon, Yohan?!" kunot noong tanong ko.
"Bakit pa ba sa tingin mo, Xiomara? Wala na siyang pakinabang kaya iniwan na nila."
Nalaglag ang panga ko.
"I wanted to tell you the whole story but it's not enough if we talk on the phone. Umuwi ka na rito. Pinapauwi ka na ni Daddy."
I don't know what to say after that call. Marami akong katanungan sa isip pero masasagot lang 'yon kapag umuwi ako. What happened to them after so many years? Ang buong akala ko masaya silang nabubuhay ngayon. Papà got paralyzed and his family left him because of what? Wala nang pakinabang?
Suminghap ako at kumulo ang dugo ko. How could they do that to our father?! Imbes na alagaan ay pinabayaan. What a very ungrateful family.
Matagal kong pinag isipan ang pag uwi ko. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ito pero si Papà na mismo ang nagsabi. I don't know what to feel also. After he sent me away, now he wants me back. And Yohan said he wanted to see me. He doesn't look good anymore and alone.
BINABASA MO ANG
An Inconvenient Attachment
Roman d'amourUntil when are you going to say that you've had enough? Feeling unwanted, unloved and being deprived of having a family. Xiomara Evanthia Zarate is the plutocrat Governor's illegitimate daughter. She was the fruit of a sinful affair between her fath...
