Husband Series 3: Dear Husband, Totohanin Na Natin!

CHAPTER TWO

DEAR SEVEN,

Advance happy birthday, anak! I’ve been reading and seeing the pictures you’re sending me every day. You know what? You are so gorgeous! Manang-mana ka talaga kay Mommy. On your seventh birthday, I wish you the very best and happiness! Take this small gift I’ve got you. Be a good girl, okay? Malapit nang umuwi si Mommy from Europe. Just wait for a little more, yeah? I love you!

Love,

Mommy Mia

“Oh my God! Daddy! Daddy!”

I leaned against the wall with my arm crossed over my chest, watching my six-year-old daughter run toward me, holding a small box and a card. She was in her school uniform, and her hair was styled into two braids. Seven spread her arms, asking me to carry her as a broad smile plastered on her lips, eyes sparkling with hope and joyfulness.

I heaved a sigh. Happiness is in the moment of my child. The more focused, the more intense, like a beam of light to the soul. Although, I feel the guilt rushing through my system when my father continues giving her fake gifts, fake letters. Fake hope. But we were both just as well-focused on that light, thinking this is a better solution. But the possible resolution terrifies me.

“Daddy! Up!” Seven’s keen voice made me snap from my thoughts.

I looked at her with a slight smile on my lips. Yumuko ako ng bahagya at iniipit ang magkabilang kamay ko sa kili-kili niya. I lifted her from the white tiled floor and carried her. She wrapped her right arm around my nape, and her sweet smile never leaves her lips.

“Uuwi na raw si Mommy!” She cheered, squirming slightly. Binuklat pa niya ang hawak na kulay pink na card at tinapat sa mukha ko ang nakasulat doon. “Look, Daddy! Mommy’s coming home!”

I’ve got a glimpse of what was written on the card, and it was computerized. Muntik pa akong mapamura at mapairap nang makita kong may nakadikit pang litrato ni Mia sa sulat. I looked at my father—who’s sitting on the sofa—with annoyance. My dad shrugged his shoulders as he mouthed, “I’m sorry”.

Iniling ko na lang ang aking ulo at tinuon ang atensyon sa anak ko. She kept on boasting to me that her mom will finally be going home. If only I dare to tell the truth without hurting my daughter.

“I think we can have a feast on my birthday, Dad.”

I squinted my eyes upon hearing her suggestion. “Feast? I thought you want to go to Hong Kong on your birthday?”

“I’ve changed my mind. I want to have so many handa on my birthday,” sagot niya sa’kin. “Because Mommy’s going to be home! I am so excited to see and hug her for real!”

Napapikit ako nang yakapin ako ng mahigpit ng anak ko at isubsob ang mukha niya sa gilid ng leeg ko saka nagtitili. She even wiggled her legs.

I sighed. This kid. Really. “Don’t be too excited, Seven. Plus, she never mentioned she would be home on your birthday. Ang nakasulat lang diyan, malapit na siyang umuwi.”

Lumapit sa direksyon namin si Papa saka nito kinuha mula sa’kin si Seven. “Ano ka ba naman, Uno? Huwag mo naman sirain ‘yong kaligayahan ng apo ko,” sita sa’kin ni Papa. Binaba nito ang anak ko at yumuko ng bahagya. “You should change your clothes na, Seven. Puntahan mo na si Nana. Naghihintay na 'yon sa kwarto mo..”

Tumango ang anak ko. “I love you, Lolo. Thank you!” aniya sabay yakap sa Lolo niya.

Watching them giving each other’s hug, I shook my head, frowning. Nang makita ni Papa ang naging reaksyon ko, binelatan ako nito. Sunod namang yumakap sa’kin ang anak ko bago siya tumakbo palabas ng sala.

Nang mawala na ito sa paningin namin, hinarap ko si Papa. “Until when you're going to do that, ‘Pa?” I asked him, crossing my arms across my chest. “For the nth time, stop giving her high hopes.”

“I just wanna see my granddaughter happy, Uno.”

“By giving her fake hopes? ‘Pa, hindi na babalik si Mia.” I spat off, saying her name with gritted teeth. “Kaya please lang, ‘Pa, itigil mo na ‘yang pagbibigay mo kay Seven ng regalo at sulat na kunwari ay galing sa babaeng ‘yon.”

I still can't believe my father has the gut to print out her face and include it in that card!

“Kung gusto mo pala akong tumigil, edi sabihin na lang natin sa apo ko ang totoo,” anito at nagkibit balikat. “Na pitong buwan pa lang siya ay iniwan na siya ng nanay niya sa’yo at sumama sa ibang lalaki.”

Nagsalubong ang magkabila kong kilay. Kumulo ang dugo ko nang marinig mula sa ama ko ang dahilan ng pag-iwan sa’min ng babaeng ‘yon. Naiyukom ko aking kamao. Huwag na huwag lang talaga magpapakita sa’kin ang Mia na ‘yon, lalong-lalo na sa anak ko.

“See? You still don’t have the courage, to tell the truth to Seven,” palatak ni Papa. Pinag-krus nito ang braso sa dibdin nito at nginisihan ako. “I am just helping you out here, son.”

Naiiling na sinimangutan ko ito. “Whatever, ‘Pa.” Iyon lang ang nasabi ko at iniwan na ito sa sala. Marami pa akong dapat asikasuhin at wala sa oras ko ngayon ang pakikipagsagutan kay Papa.

Lumabas ako ng bahay at dumiretso sa malawak na garahe kung saan nakaparada ang itim kong kotse. Pumasok ako ng driver's seat at binuhay ang makina ng kotse. Nakabukas naman ang gate kaya’t kaagad kong nilabas ito mula sa garahe at tinahak ang daan patungo sa munisipyo ng Buena Astra.

My eyes fixed on the road of Buena Astra. Madali ko lang iniwasan ang mga sasakyan dahil sa pagnanais kong makarating kaagad sa munisipyo.

What my father was doing was not right; giving my daughter gifts and letters that “came” from her mother but was truly made by my father. The more my father sets her hopes high, the more I’ll be silent about it and might hurt my daughter in the future. Ayokong sirain ‘yong kaligayahan ng anak ko nang dahil sa pag-iwan ni Mia sa’min.

I can hide the rejection she got from that woman and when I have an opportunity, to tell the truth to my daughter, I’ll do it without hesitation.

Pinaharurot ko ang sasakyan at nilagpasan ang bus na nasa unahan ko bago ko binalik sa tamang bilis ang kotse ko. Nakatingin lang ako sa kalsada hanggang sa may isang babae na nakatayo sa bus station ang umagaw ng atensyon ko.

“Was that…” I immediately pulled the brake and stopped my car ten meters away from that bus station.

I gripped the steering wheel before turning my gaze at my back—in the direction where the woman was standing. She was looking in my direction as well. Pero kaagad nitong inalis ang atensyon at tinuon ang tingin sa loob ng bus.

Without having second thoughts, I opened the door and stepped out of my driver's seat. However, as soon as I looked in her direction again, she wasn't there anymore and the bus began taking off.

Hindi ko maiwasang sundan ng tingin ang bus na ‘yon. From where I am standing, I still got a glimpse inside that bus. Gulat man ako pero hindi ko maiwasang mapakunot noo nang makita kong nakatingin din ang babae sa’kin.

Mas lalong lumalim ang pagka-kunot ng noo ko habang pinapanood ang papalayong bus. “Mia?”

I thought, she stayed in Europe with her bastard for almost seven years now?