Trial and Error: XLIII

Chapter 43

“Oo, anak. Alam kong kayo pa rin ni James.” Simpleng sagot ni Mang Greg sa anak na todo ang pagpapaliwanag na ginawa sa ama.

“Iyon nga po sana ang gusto kong malaman. Pano po kayo nagka-ideya?” takang tanong nito sa amang nasa kabilang linya.

“Bago ka magdebut ay alam ko nang hindi talaga kayo naghiwalay ni James. Nagkasabay kasi kami ni Mr. Reynolds pauwi  dyan at nagkausap kami ng masinsinan. Ipinaalam ko sa Mama mo iyon at naku e sadyang mainit pa rin ang dugo niya nun kay James. Pero pinigilan ko siyang magsalita sayo dahil pakiramdam ko’y sapat nang kaparusahan ang pagtapon namin sa’yo dyan sa Davao.” Wika ni Mang Greg at napanganga naman si Devon sa narinig. Pero ang pinagtataka niya pa rin ay kung galit ang Mama nya noon ng malamang sila pa ni James e bakit pumayag ang inang lumuwas siya sa Maynila pero hindi na niya masyadong pinagtuonan ng pansin iyon at nagpatuloy sa pagkwento si Mang Greg.

Flashback…

5 yrs ago.

Nasa terminal gate’s waiting area si Mang Greg at inantay ang paglulan sa eroplano papauwing Pilipinas nang may tumabing lalaki sa kanya at tinapik siya sa balikat.  Nang masilayan ni Mang Greg na si Mr. Mathew iyon ay agad itong napatayo at halatang halatang hindi niya ikinatuwang makita ang lalaking iyon. Agad din naman siyang pinakalma ni Mr. Mathew at niyayang mag-usap at magkape bago magboarding.

Sa kapehan.

“I know what our kids have done is not something we should be proud of, Mr. Soriano. But I know those kids,  they are still young and both were pretty vulnerable at that time. Yes, I know the whole story. I was just hoping that that incident wasn’t the reason whyDevon is now studying in Davao.” Wika ni Mr. Mathew.

“I know, Sir, my daughter is also at fault why that thing happened but if your son respected her, my wife wouldn’t have seen that kind of act inside our own home. I feel like that’s just irresponsible of them. And yes, that’s the reason why we’ve decided to have Devon study in Davao.  We were just cautious and wanted what we think is best for her.” Seryosong wika ni Mang Greg.

“I understand where you’re coming from, Mr. Soriano.  I can never question your intentions on your only daughter, I’m a father too. But I’ve seen these two together, yes they are both young but young love is the most innocent and pure love, don’t you think?  When James knew that Devon will be moving to Davao he was devasted and really he was sorry that your wife had to meet him in such an awkward situation.  He wanted to turn back the hands of time to correct all their mistakes.” Saad ni Mr. Mathew at matamang nakikinig naman si Mang Greg.

“My son loves your daughter. In fact he is willing to wait until Devon comes back to Manila.”

“I’m sorry but Devon will not come back to Manila. Our whole family actually moved to Davao.”

“Well, that’s just sad. I’ve witnessed the love between those two kids. I adore your daughter and I know James does too.  If you could only give them another chance and give them their freedom to love whoever they want to, I’m sure your daughter will be happy. I’ve never seen my son so dedicated in all his endeavors and I know that that’s because of Devon. She’s his inspiration. We’ve all experienced this feeling, Mr. Soriano.  Can’t we just let them be? They’ve already kept that secret to your family because Devon was afraid that you’ll get mad at her but the worst happened.  I know they’ve learned their lesson. Don’t think of me as the father of James here.  Think of me as a spectator of this whole situation. I wouldn’t want my own child to be forever afraid of me just because of my ideals about love. They are very smart kids. I don’t think they did that on purpose. My son even told me that that was just a spur-of-the-moment incident. So, I hope you and your wife will find it in your hearts to forgive my son and trust them that they can love each other without hurting our feelings.” Mahabang litanya ni Mr. Mathew habang si Mang Greg ay parang naliliwanagan naman sa sinasabi ng kausap.

“We were just not expecting Devon to keep a secret from us and witness that incident.  She’s a good kid. I understand your point here, Sir.  I don’t want to rule over my daughter’s feelings but we just want to make sure that she’ll be able to focus on her studies first.” Sagot naman ni Mang Greg.

“Of course, we want that. But don’t you think having inspiration while studying is not as bad as you and your wife are thinking? Don’t be too hard on Devon, she loves you two more than anything in the world, I should know because she talks about how great her parents are to me. I know you’ve raised Devon so well and she has a good soul.  I do want her for my son and I may say that I wasn’t as bad as a father and I too raised James to be a good individual and if you only give him a chance and get to know him then you might also say that you too would want him for Devon.  I hope that’s not too late.” Wika ni Mr. Mathew na may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Bigla namang tinawag ang mga pasehero ng kanilang eroplano.

“I think that’s us.” Wika ni Mr. Mathew, “It was nice talking to you. I hope you’ll think about what I just said. I also want what’s best for our kids.” At iniabot nito ang kamay kay Mang Greg at nagshakehands ang dalawa.

“It was nice chatting with you, Sir. I’ll think about it.” At binitbit na ni Mang Greg ang mga dala-dala at sabay silang pumunta sa gate nila.

Nakarating na si Mang Greg sa Davao. Nang gabing iyon ay nag-usap ang mag-asawa tungkol sa pagtatagpo ni Mang Greg at Mr. Mathew sa Sydney airport pauwi ng Pilipinas.

“At ano? Makikinig tayo sa lalaking iyon? Sa ipinupunto niya e parang may relasyon pa rin ang dalawang iyon.” Gigil na wika ni Aling Linda nang marinig ang kwento ni Mang Greg.

“Sa palagay ko nga rin ay meron pa. Pero nailayo naman na natin si Devon. Walang nagtatagal sa long distance relationship lalo pa’t hindi kasal. Hayaan nalang siguro muna nating magkasawaan sila. Hindi mangyayari ang kinakatakot mo sa anak mo lalo pa’t wala naman siya sa Maynila pati nangako si Devon na magtatapos ng pag-aaral. Palagay ko’y labis nang kaparusahan ang mailayo siya dun sa James na iyon lalo na sa mga kaibigan niya sa Maynila.” Pagpapakalma ni Mang Greg sa asawa.

“Naku, Greg! Kung nabilog na ni Mr. Mathew ang ulo mo, ibahin mo ako! Hindi ako papayag at uupo lang dito at hayaang magmilagro nanaman ang anak mo. Gagawa ang ng paraan.” Matigas na wika ni Aling Linda.

“Linda, wag mong subukan ang anak mo. Magpasalamat tayo at hindi siya nagrebelde sa ginawa natin sa kanya. Hayaan nalang natin sila.” Wika ni Mang Greg at inakbayan ang asawa.

“Basta, hindi ako papayag.” At marahas na inalis nito ang kamay ng asawa sa balikat niya. Napakamot nalang sa ulo si Mang Greg at hindi rin maintindihan kung anong pinaplano ng asawa.

End of Feedback…

Gulong-gulo naman si Devon sa kwento ng ama. Panong nakasabay niyang umuwi si Mr. Mathew e ang kwento ni James ay nagkasakit ito ilang buwan bago umuwi si Mang Greg sa Pilipinas. Iwinaksi nalang ni Devon ang kaguluhan sa utak niya at inisip nalang na marahil ay nakarecover agad si Mr. Mathew kaya nakapagbyahe agad ito.

“Iyon ang dahilan kaya siguro nasabi ng Mama mo na alam ko na ang lahat. Nagpapasalamat ako at umamin ka na rin. At least hindi na maloloka ang Mama mo kakaisip kung anong ginagawa mo.” Ngising wika ni Mang Greg sa anak.

“Kaya pala ganun po kayo makipagusap sa akin bago ako gumraduate. Kayo na pong may alam!” natatawang wika ni Devon.

“O, e sabi ko naman sayo e mabibigyan mo talaga ako ng apo. Pero siguraduhin mong papakasalan ka ng lalaking yan ha?” wika ng ama at parang may kumurot naman sa puso ni Devon nang marinig ang salitang apo.  Pero alam ni Devon na darating ang tamang panahon at magkakaroon uli siya nang pagkakataong magka-anak.

Natapos ang kanilang pag-uusap at sobrang ikinatuwa naman ni Devon ang mga narinig na kwento mula sa ama lalo pa’t ipinaglaban din pala siya ng ama ng nobyo niya.