6:30 AM. January 7, 2013
“Dad… Dad…”
Richard opened
his eyes slowly. She saw Juliana dressed in her uniform already.
“Baby, anong
oras na ba?” He asked rubbing his eyes. He lifted his head and felt a throbbing
headache.
“Dad, it’s past
6 na. I gotta go Dad, baka ma late ako. Wait, are you sick?” Juliana said,
patting her father’s forehead with the back of her palm. “You’re warm, Dad.
Wait, I’ll call Mom.” She added while looking for her phone.
“No!” He
responded almost quickly. “Huwag na Baby, baka mag worry yun, you know she has
work over there and baka mapa uwi yun ng di oras.” He reasoned out. He really
didn’t want to fret Lucy knowing that she’ll worry too much.
“But you’re
sick.” Juliana said sounding really worried.
He let his
daughter sit on the edge of the bed. He can’t help but smile; her daughter inherited
her mother’s instincts yet Juliana’s physical features were evidently more of
him.
“Baby, this is
just a Flu, I’ll get through this. Bed rest lang katapat nito. Don’t worry
about me, okay? By the way nag breakfast ka na?” He asked. He may be sick right
now but he still has to do his parental obligations.
“Yes Dad, a bowl
of cereal with milk, pinagbalot na rin ako ni Manang for my snacks later.”
Juliana replied.
“Good,
magpahatid ka na lang sa driver since I can’t drive you to school today and
when I feel better I’ll fetch you.” He said kissing his daughter’s forehead.
“Don’t worry
Dad, you need a rest. Okay I really need to go. See you later.” She hugged her
father then ran downstairs.
“Ingat! Love
you!” He screeched.
Richard crawled
out of bed slowly. He got a digital thermometer out of Lucy’s medicine cabinet
and took a temperature of himself.
38.8°C.
Damn.
He picked
the intercom and asked their helper for breakfast. He was sick and he got
nobody to take care of him so he must look after himself. He got his phone and
saw Lucy’s message. She has been in Ormoc for days now.
Good morning, honey! On my way to Ormoc’s Gym
for the blessing of the computers, I may not be able to text you from time to
time kasi we will be going frm one school to another for the distribution. Have
a good day and I love you, honey! ;-)
He tapped
for reply and knowing how busy his wife will be today, he didn’t bother to tell
her his condition. He wished her good day and huwag masyadong magpapagod and ended it with I love you too.
Though his
taste buds turned bland, he finished his breakfast and took Paracetamol and
Ibuprofen. He turned on the television for some news; after all he got nothing
to do for the whole day. He was watching absent mindedly. He was not feeling
well and he knew his mind was pre occupied with what happened last night.
He smirked
upon remembering his reactions to Vice’s punch lines. Was he really that obvious?
He could
vividly recall that part when Vice ribbed them endlessly as to what their term
of endearment used to be.
“Anong tawagan niyo?” Asked Vice.
“Ang tawag ko sa kanya, Babe. Oo…” Dawn
answered honestly looking at him grinning.
He looked down for a moment as if trying to
recall something, “Anong tawag ko sayo?” was all he could ever say.
“E… Ewan ko? di ko alam?” Dawn shot back as if
trying to recuperate.
“Ba’t di mo alam?” Vice shrieked, almost
sounded too unbelievable for Richard not to remember.
“Di mo maalala? Di mo maalala? Talaga?” Dawn
kept on repeating unto him. Her eye-to-eye contact with him was almost
searching for the truth. The truth which she knows he knew, too well.
“Anong tawag ko sayo?” Yet he asked again
twice this time, smiling wide enough that he looked so thrilled.
He wanted to tick off himself that moment. Of
course he does remember. What happened 23 years ago came rushing back in his
mind. Actually it never left, it was just there. Just don’t… Not now, not in
front of everyone. He wanted to plead her. I might kiss you.
Dawn can only smirk for she knew he was
clearly playing around.
“Paano ulit yun?” Vice asked as if trying to
butt in between the two.
“Ang tawag mo sakin noon, LOVE!” Dawn responded
without batting an eyelash giving emphasis on the word LOVE.
“Love…” He reiterated gently, drawing Dawn
closer to his side. There’s this strong enigma that he wanted to hug her that
very moment. He wanted but he couldn’t.
“Hoy eto, teka lang ha…” Vice said pointing him
and giggling simultaneously. “Teka lang, walang halong echos ha…” he added
almost swearing. “Kumislap ang mata mo, I swear… Direk I tight shot mo! Wa
echos, I tight shot mo lang yung mata ni Richard! O? ba’t ayaw mo ipakita?
Ipakita mo lang yung mata mo!” Vice yelped giggling.
“Nahihiya ako kasi hindi ko maalala.” He
retorted in defense.
“Hindi! Nung sinabi niyang LOVE may gumanon!
Promise!” Vice re-enacted trying to say that his eyes sparkled when Dawn said
the magic word, LOVE.
He let out a weak laugh and tried to regain
his composure. Needless to say, the word Love sounded so right, especially
coming from the woman beside him and he damn missed it. She damn missed her
saying that. So much, so much that it shows.
“Ha… Gaga!” He laughed at him thinking that
was the only justification he has at the moment.
But Vice only used it against him as he saw
how uncomfortable he was.
“Uyyyyy… na a-awkward!” Vice taunted him
endlessly. And Dawn could only giggle on his side.
Yes indeed he was. Of course that Reunited
song playing as the background music didn’t help him either. He was smiling
sheepishly. He felt cold sweats on his palms as he felt his blood rushing
through his cheeks too. He was blushing. He appeared to be nervous yet he was
happy. No, he was ecstatic.
He smiled
at the memory. It has been 23 years since they parted ways yet Dawn still has
this effect on him. He can’t even explain his connection with her but for him
he knew that connection has always been deep and special. He picked up his
phone and dialed her number. This time he was sure.
I need to talk to her.
No comments:
Post a Comment