Romans & histoires Papa No Iukoto Wo Kikinasai

You’re just an insect if she’s here “anong magagawa ng bata? Wag kayong matakot sa bata!” (what can a kid do? Don’t be scared!) if my sister heard that she won’t forgive you! Your tongue will be cut off and your fingers! And your arms! For touching me! “bilis! Nasisira na ang pinto!” (hurry! They are breaking the door) when I heard that, I felt something strange. What door? They’re pushing me to the door, right?

Nasa iisang bahay lang kami ni Papa buong araw ng new year? Wow. Lalong sumikdo ang kirot sa dibdib ko. Hindi ako makapaniwalang magkasama lang pala kami ni Papa noong mga panahong iniisip kong pinagpalit na niya ako sa kung saan siya masaya. Marahan kong sinulyapan si Papa. Nasa dulong upuan siya at nagniningning ang kaniyang mata sa nasa unahan.

The three of them are cute. "Papa Nosa never played home? Mas miss you. The other day Papa promised me you'd take us to a shootout?" Ask one of them. Kaylila was unable to distinguish the three of them. They're identic twins. "Yes, papa still bothers. Later if it's not a hassle, you'll come and ask you to play with the gunfire." Answer Nosa with her sweet smile. "Whose aunt is this, Papa? Papa's girlfriend, huh?" suddenly one of them snumbled, making Nosa squeal to shake her shock.

Pa-simple kong kambiyo ng topic namin. "Me? No. Si Papa sasayaw siya." Napangiti ako nang magana itong nagkwento about sa napipintong pa- curacha ng ama. The next few minutes were filled with the animated talks of Lola. We discussed about the program and the fascinating curacha mayor in between meals. Kahit kasi ilang beses ko nang napanood kagabi ang sayaw, thanks Youtube, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang 'di humanga sa sayaw at sa buong concept noon.

Napaka bipolar niya naman! "Don't look at me like that, hindi naman ako maarte tsaka huwag mong sabihin kahit kanino na kumain ako nito. Bawal kasi sakin ang street foods eh, magagalit si Papa" mas lalo akong napanganga dahil sa pagsasalita niya. Para bang first time niyang magsalita at ako ang unang nakarinig ng boses niya "Kinakausap mo ba talaga ako?"

"Why Papa?" Jide asked, "why are men so cruel and attack with insult things they don't understand?" Maduka stroked his ears and smelled his first finger before returning to his stool. Jide thought he was going to lick the finger, like some of the elders in the village. But instead, his father washed his hands and returned to sharpening his machete.

Mabait si Miss kaya lang talaga minsan pag inabot ganyan yan. "Kung ano-ano na naman 'yang iniisip mo, eh wala ka naman makukuha diyan sa pag-a-artist mong iyan," palagi ko iyang naririnig sa bibig ni Papa pero imbis na panghinaan ako nang loob

“Pakiramdam ko noon ako na ang pinakaswerteng babae sa buong mundo. Totoo naman iyon. Hindi ako kailanman pinahirapan ng ama mo.” Malungkot itong ngumiti. Alam niyang sobra na ang ginagawa nilang pagluluksa sa ama niya. Pero alam din naman niyang darating din ang oras at magiging maayos silang mag-ina. Hindi na sila maiiyak sa tuwing alalahanin nila ang ama. “Ma, naisip mo rin ba kahit isang beses na magagawa ka ring lokohin ni papa?” alam ni Ziah na imposible iyon dahil kilala rin niya ang ama. Mahal na mahal nito ang kaniyang ina at hindi sila nito kayang saktan.

"Wag na po.. baka kasi hanapin tayo ni papa kapag nawala tayo mamaya" "Sige ikaw bahala.. kaya mo bang masikmura ang pag bubunyi nila dahil sa pag dating ulit nang batang yan?" "Sumabay na lang po tayo sa kagustuhan ni papa para hindi nya na tayo mapagalitan pang muli" "Sige ikaw ang bahala, ikaw din naman ang masasaktan at hindi ako.. pero sabagay dalawang baboy rin yun masarap din yun haha"

“I come home, Mama.” Papa stayed back. Watched. Then stepped forward, slow. No hug. Just a hand on Chino’s shoulder—firm, brief. “You dey alright?” Papa asked, voice rough. “I dey alright, Papa. Work good. Life good.” Papa nodded once. Looked away. “Food dey inside. Come eat.” Dinner was quiet—jollof, fried plantain, chicken, Adanna talking fast to fill silences. Kelechi asked about Toronto winters. Mama asked about food there. Papa ate slow, eyes on his plate.