Chapter 38

“Papa,” I called him. He's standing near the glass wall. Nakatitig ito sa malawak na siyudad ng Manila.

We're here in a very wide and big condominuim of Rial Condo. Malaki ang espasyo ng sala nito, kusina at may terrace pa. May tatlong silid at ang isa ay inuukupa ni mama Amelia na hanggang ngayon ay tulog pa.

He turned his head to look at me and smile. He motioned me to come over, and that's what I did. Nilapitan ko siya at agad niya naman akong niyakap.

Parang biglaang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko sa uri ng yakap ni papa. He's hugging me as if I was lost for many years. I could feel his longing between our hugs.

“I never thought my babygirl was alive,” he murmured.

I hugged him back, much tighter than his. Diniin ko ang mukha ko sa kanyang dibdib at hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong umiyak. Hindi ko rin inakalang hindi ako nabibilang sa pamilyang Martinez.

“Dad,” said by a voice behind us. “Can we talk?”

Kumalas ako sa yakap kay papa Edcel at bumaling kay Art na seryoso ang mukh