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The Senator's Daughter (TAGALOG)
The Senator's Daughter (TAGALOG)
Author: Jin

KABANATA ISA

HARPER CHANEL PARISI POINT OF VIEW.

“Dad!” I chimed happily as I ran towards my Dad who just came home from his campaign. He smiled towards me as he opened his arms to welcome me with a hug.

Nang makalapit ako sa kaniya ay mahigpit ko siyang sinalubong ng isang mahigpit na yakap. “Dad, I miss you so much. Bakit ngayon lang po kayo?” I asked, pouting.

I heard him chuckle upon hearing what I said. “I was too busy, princess. Huwag kang mag-alala, babawi si Daddy, huh?” he answered as he kissed the top of my head.

Muli akong napalabi bago humiwalay ng yakap sa kaniya. “Pero Dad, ilang taon mo na ‘yang sinasabi. Sabi mo bago ka umalis, sasamahan mo akong um-attend ng fashion show sa France pero hindi ka naman dumating.”

“But I sent you a present, right? Saka pinasama ko naman sa ‘yo si Yaya Melanie mo para hindi ka maging mag-isa habang wala ako,” giit niya.

I let out a harsh breath. “Iba pa rin kapag kasama kita, Dad. Wala na nga si Mom, pati ikaw parang wala na rin,” I whined like a child.

My mother passed away since I was seven and since then, I only have my father. Kaya heto at lumaki akong Daddy’s girl. At the age of twenty seven, I still clings to him like a child. Wala, e. SIya lang naman ang mayroon ako kaya ganito akong ka-clingy sa kaniya. Losing him is still my greatest fear.

Mahina naman siyang tumawa bago ako muling niyakap. Nakasimangot naman akong tumugon sa yakap niya. “I bought the bag that you want. Balita ko, wala pa nito sa Pilipinas saka. . .”

“Really, Dad?!” I excitedly cut his words off. A soft chuckle escaped his lips upon seeing my reaction. He slowly nod his head and that made me more excited. Iniangkla ko ang aking braso sa braso niya bago siya excited na tiningnan. “Come on, Dad. Hindi na ako galit sa ‘yo.”

I spent the whole day with my father. Kumain kami sa restaurant, namasyal at bumili ng kung ano-ano sa mall, at iba pa. Hindi namin iyon karaniwang nagagawa dahil busy sa trabaho si Daddy at saka masiyado raw mapanganib dahil malapit na naman ang eleksiyon.

My father is a senator and he is now planning to run for the Presidential position. Dahil tatakbo na siya bilang Presidente, kasabay niyon ang panganib na dulot sa buhay niya at maging sa buhay ko. Naiintindihan ko naman ang sitwasyon namin kaya hindi na ako sumusuway. . . although it’s really tempting to go out alone just like before.

“Daddy, kailan po ulit ang alis niyo?” tanong ko sa aking ama nang makauwi kami sa bahay.

Bahagyang natigilan si Dad kaya naman muli akong napalabi. Mukhang alam ko na agad ang sagot sa tanong ko. I drew in a long breath as I faked a smile towards my father. “Ayos lang, Dad. Naiintindihan ko naman po kung aalis na naman kayo ulit,” mapait na sambit ko.

“Princess. . .”

“It’s all right, Dad. Wala po kayong dapat na ipag-alala dahil naiintindihan ko naman po. Alam ko naman po na kailangan kayo ng bansa at ng mga tao.” Pilit akong ngumiti sa kaniya bago muling niyakap ang aking ama. “Big girl na ako, Daddy. Hindi na po ako hahabol at iiyak tuwing aalis kayo.”

My Dad heaved a deep sigh as he tapped my back. “Sorry, ‘nak, huh? Sadyang ganito ang trabaho ni Daddy mo, e. Huwag kang mag-alala dahil babawi ako sa ‘yo. Kapag naging free na ulit ang schedule ko, I promise that we’ll have a vacation outside the country,” he consoled me.

Mas lalo naman akong napalabi nang marinig ang sinabi niya. “Dad, malapit na po ang eleksiyon. Saka kapag nanalo na kayo at naging Presidente, ibig sabihin niyon, wala na po kayong magiging free time,” I said in a matter of fact tone.

“Basta babawi ako. It might seem impossible for now but I promise that I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

“Pero Daddy. . .”

“Don’t you trust your old man, huh, princess?”

Napawi naman ang lungkot ko nang marinig ang tanong niya. Humiwalay ako ng yakap sa kaniya bago siya malapad na nginitian. “Of course, may tiwala po ako sa ‘yo, Dad. I’ll wait until we can spend time together again. Habang wala po kayo, I’ll just bond with my friends and manage my fashion line for the mean time,” nakangiting sagot ko sa kaniya.

Dad smiled as he messed my hair. “Hindi na nga baby ang prinsesa ko. Hindi na siya iiyak at hahabol sa akin,” biro niya.

My lips immediately puckered upon hearing what he said. Inayos ko ang aking buhok bago nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. “Dad, I’m already twenty seven. Matanda na po ako.”

“Uh-huh. You’re already twenty seven but you still haven’t gotten yourself a boyfriend. Kailan ka ba magpapakilala sa akin ng lalaki? I’m not getting any younger, Harper. Baka naman hindi ko na maabutan ang magiging apo ko sa unica hija ko,” naiiling na tanong niya kaya’t muli akong napasimangot.

Malakas akong bumuntong hininga bago nagbaba ng tingin. “Wala pa akong nakikilalang lalaki na tulad mo, Dad, e. Baka mamaya, saktan lang ako ng mga iyon. I’m not yet ready to fall in love but who knows, right, Dad? Malay natin baka bukas o makalawa, may maipakilala na ako sa inyo,” biro ko.

My Dad let out a loud laugh. “’Nak, don’t find someone like me. I’m not a perfect man. Baka masaktan ka lamang din kapag nakahanap ka ng lalaking tulad ko. Look at what happened to your Mom. . .”

“Dad, hindi niyo po kasalanan na namatay si Mommy. And I’m sure that wherever she is right now, she’s not blaming you for what happened to her. And I’m not blaming you, Dad. . . no one is blaming you for what happened so don’t be too hard on yourself. Alam ko po na mabuti kayo at hindi niyo kayang manakit ng tao. I trust you, Dad.”

“Harper. . .”

Muli akong yumakap sa kaniya para pagaanin ang loob niya. “And Dad, if ever I will find someone like you, I’m sure that he won’t hurt me. Hindi mo naman po ako sinasaktan, ‘di ba po, Dad? You’re a good man after all,” nakangiting sambit ko.

He drew in a long breath as a response to what I said. “I still hope that you won’t find a man you’re your father. Ipagdarasal ko iyon, ‘nak. Your old man is not a perfect man and if ever you found someone like me, I’m sure that you’ll get hurt.”

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