Later that night, after hearing nothing from me. Ashianna vanished out of my sight and refused to leave her room. Kahit si Manang hindi nya kinakausap o pinapansin. She looks quite annoyed by what I've acted back in the car.And now, mom's pestering me. Begging me to visit them in New York. Things that she clearly knew I won't give a fuck."Son, ang tagal-tagal na naming hindi umuuwi. Your titos and titas are all here. Wala naman tayong relatives dyan. Kaya why don't you stay here instead, son?" Mahinahong pangungumbinsi ni mama. "Mom, we've talked about it many times. I'm good here. I'm already teaching in college." Napapagod na paliwanag ko.Kung dati, dinadahilan ko ang pag-aaral at pagrereview para sa board exam. Ngayon, pagtuturo naman ang ginagamit ko para lang hindi mapilit ni mama na sa ibang bansa na lang manirahan."Magbakasyon ka muna sa pagtuturo. Ilang taon ka na, wala ka pa ring. girlfriend." Mom emphasizes the last five words. As if it is the most essential thing I co
Ashianna's been busy, earlier until now. After her friends left, she went up to her room. And when she came down, she was carrying a tent, blanket, a pillow, and the teddy bear I gave her as a gift when she was young.She just passed by me on the sofa and headed straight to the garden. She's not running away, is she? Why is she bringing a tent? When she came back for the second time, she was carrying faded lights. She even stopped by the kitchen to get some food. "What are you up to?" I asked when I noticed her approaching where I was sitting. But she just passed by me again. On her third trip, she got another pillow and was already wearing her pajamas. "Hey, what's going on? What's with the back and forth?" I asked, coldly. I couldn't focus on the business magazine I was reading because of what she was doing. Ashianna didn't reply. Kaya naman, tumayo ako at saglit na inilapag ang dyaryo sa ibabaw ng coffee table."What's our problem?" I was all looking serious. Towering her sm
"Ayaw mong maging responsable sa nararamdaman ko pero kung tratuhin mo naman ako parang hindi mo anak." Matamlay na wika nito. Tila ba sinisisi ako kung paanong naging mabuting ama lamang naman ako sa kanya. I brought her home and lifestyle that her biological mother can't. I took care of her. From baby feeding to changing diapers. I barely slept when she was a baby, she'd cry nonstop every night. I sent her to school. Prepared her food. Fund and secured her future expenses. "Hindi tayo magkasing-edad lang, Ashianna. What you feel was just a puppy love, a hormonal influence on emotions during adolescent. It's normal but it's unacceptable." Nilingon ko si Ashianna. Nakasandal ito sa headrest ng kotse. "Kaya hindi mo'ko gusto?" "Ashianna, you- you're. my. daughter." Aabutin kami ng kung ilang oras na nakatigil sa gilid ng kalsada, kung paikot-ikot lang ang pag-uusap namin. Nandito ako para linawin ang mga bagay-bagay. Na hindi kami pwede, dahil bata pa sya at hindi ko m
Days flew faster for Hector, who, I guess, had been wishing for time to slow down. But for me, every moment crawled by in slow motion, like a sun-drenched day that refused to end. It felt like an eternity, an endless test of patience, before it finally became a week.And I've been dying to see Ashianna, who hasn't replied to me the entire damn time.A week without a word from her has my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Did someone bullied her? Or maybe Andra spoke to her while I was away and said something hurtful? Or did someone treated her so damn well that she forgot about me entirely?Weeks of unanswered calls have only added to my anxiety.Kung malapit lang ang Cebu sa Mindoro, umuwi na sana ako. Napatingin ako kay Lucas at kay Lilienne na nag-uusap sa may lamesa. Seryoso ang dalawa. At sa pagkakunot ng noo ni Lucas, masasabi kong nahihirapan itong kumbinsihin si Lilienne na umuwi."Tsk, tsk!" Napailing ako. Lilienne was a bit too immature to be Lucas's girlfriend. She
"Dad, talaga bang sa hotel muna ako mags-stay? Hindi mo na ba ako maihahatid sa school palagi?" Tumango ako. Hindi nililingon si Ashianna dahil sa mabilis na usad ng mga sasakyan."Bakit? Magiging busy ka na ba sa pagtuturo sa Bethel High?" Ashianna's constant nagging. She's now facing me, throwing me nonstop questions. "Hmm..." I hummed in response. Natahimik naman ito ng mga ilang minuto bago muling magtanong."Eh daddy..." "Hmm?" "Same office kayo ni Andra?" Now it makes sense. Ashianna's school is still a ways off, so maybe now's the time to ask why she's bothered by Andra's presence."Hmm, why?" I asked, not showing any hint of interest. But Ashianna just switched the topic."Then would you come pick me up every afternoon after class?" Ashianna asked innocently, after we'd stopped by the drive-thru.I ordered her a fried chicken and a sundae. Weird combination, but she likes it anyway.Akala ko ay malilimutan na nito ang pagtatanong. Pero hindi. Kumakain ito habang nagtatan
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIANNA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIANNA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIANNA~"The front yard was filled with a lively crowd, scattered everywhere, singing a joyful birthday song for my adopted daughter. Amidst the cheerful chaos, only my closest friends knew the truth about Ashianna and the real story behind her identity.She is my adopted daughter. And just two days after this party, I'm going to send her far away from me, away from this house, to help me control my emotions and detach myself from the feelings I've developed for her.It was actually a double celebration within a year. Last last month, we celebrated my board exam success, and today is Ashianna's 15th birthday.Brandon was already here. As for Lucas, we're still waiting to see if he'll show up. We've missed him for almost four or five months. He's been out of sight since the last celebration at my house.Ashianna's classmates were also here. Almost all of her classmates. Kaya halos mapun