Chapter 64

Miguel Falcon

"Pinatawag mo raw ako dad?" I asked while sitting in the armchair and he looked up at me. "Tell me, son.. Do you still want to see your mom?"

"No," I answered. Nangunot naman ang noo niya. Mukhang nagulat sa sinagot ko. Pero pinanatili ko ang ekspresyon ko. It's so sudden and I feel like he's just testing me so..

"Why?" he asked, almost like a whisper. Tinignan ko lang siya. Why is he acting like this? May pinaplano ba siya?

"Anyways.." He cleared his throat nang hindi na ako makasagot. "If you change your mind and if you want to meet her.. Here's her contact info."

This time nagsalubong na ang mga kilay ko. Hindi ko kinuha ang papel na nasa desk niya. Tama ba ang naririnig ko?

"And I'm serious." pagpapatuloy niya. "I will let you be with your mom, but in a condition that you will still live under my roof."

"W-Why?" I can't help but stutter, but he just shrugs. Nawala ang kalmadong ekspresyon niya at napalitan muli ng pagkaseryoso. "Your mom loves you, Miguel. She did everything to reach you out, but I didn't let her." Mas lalo lang akong naguluhan. Hindi niya naman sinagot ang tanong ko.

"I don't want to see her anymore. dad. So I guess.." Nilukot ko 'yung papel pagkakuha ko rito. "This is just useless."

"When the opportunities are in your hand already, you should immediately grab it. If it's given to you, take it. No matter what happens, a real man should never be afraid of risk. This is your chance, Miguel. So don't lose it."

I can't believe this.

I am really hearing this coming from him.

Pinagmasdan ko siya. Iniisip ko kung ano ba ang mali sa kanya ngayon. Hindi naman siya lango sa alak, mukhang hindi rin naman siya nag-cocaine; pero bakit bigla siyang nagkakaganito..?

"Is this because of that woman?" I asked him and he stopped in his tracks. We stared at each other, but just like usual, my father didn't let me read him. Instead, he just motioned his hand to the door. "I have a lot of work here, son. Don't disturb me anymore."

I sighed.

Mukhang wala naman siyang pinaplano. Pero hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. Bakit niya ito ginagawa? Nilabas ko ang papel na nilukot ko, may numero roon at wala sa sariling tinipa ko ito sa cellphone ko at tinawagan.

What if he's just fooling me around? And this number is not my mom's contact-

"Hello? Who's this?"

"M-Mom.." My eyes widened. It's really her number! "Is.. Is that you, Miguel? S-Son?"

"I.." My lips trembled. "Where are you, mom? I'll.. meet you," And to that day, I went to her address.

We reunited.

But this time, with my little sister and baby brother. She's pregnant again. She and Uncle Brixxon are living together. They seem.. happy even without me. But I tried to not think about that.

I let myself hear her side and when I did; I was utterly confused again. If Dad was manipulating our situation even before, then why he was doing this now? Why let me meet my mom? There's something wrong here and I can feel it. But I think I should just go with the flow at this moment, I believe that soon, I will also know everything.

"Stop staring at me, son." Dad snapped and I instantly averted my eyes. "I can't concentrate with these folders."

"I apologize.."

"Why are you even acting like this? Nung nakaraan ka pa. At first, I didn't mind, but now.. You always seem lost in your unending thoughts." He sighed as if I was the problem here and I didn't know how to react anymore.

"If you need a rest, take a leave. I won't mind." See?! It's not him. This is not my father anymore. Back then, when I was absent from work for the first time; he didn't hurt me, but he scolded me. So I promised myself that no matter what, I would always go to work. But now..

"Are you listening to me, Miguel?" I blinked my eyes. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi pa siya nagtataas ng boses. "D-Dad?"

"I think you are really tired. Loosen up, son. When you become monkey-looking because of exhaustion, you are not Falcon anymore." Did he just.. joke?

"Seriously Dad.."

"Yes, so I am ordering you to go home and rest. I will handle this. Don't worry." Napatayo na lamang ako. Hindi ko na talaga alam ang iisipin ko. I know that I have a fuck up life, but I think this is another level again.

"What game you are playing, Dad.." I whispered out of nowhere.

But days passed, months started to evolve yet his strange treatment continued. And I think I'm going crazy, disturbed by what he was acting but somehow, I deliberately became used to it too. I tried to get on his nerves, cracking his temper but he never got angry. Yes, he will glare at me.. But that's it. No violent reaction, no more tantrums.. For the first time, he just became normal being in my sight.

Should I hope again?

They say nothing is impossible.

What if.. he's really willing to change?

If I could change my mom's heart back then, there would also be no exceptions with Dad.. right?

If I cannot have a complete family, it's not too late any more to have a good relationship with both of my parents right?

"What the hell are you doing, Trezer!" I exclaimed. Kumawala ako sa kanya. Pero mas tinakpan niya lang ang mga mata ko.

"Shh.."

"Fuck you!" Siniko ko siya. "You say that I will meet a client here!"

"Shut up, bro. Ang daldal mo." He only laughed. But later on, while he forced me to walk, natalisod yata siya kaya natanggal ang panyo sa akin. With that, sinubukan ko siyang kwelyohan pero may nagsiubuhan na sa harapan at nang tumingin ako rito..

"HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY, MIGUEL!" Halos sabay-sabay na pagbati nila. Umuwang ang bibig ko. Dito sa mamahaling restaurant, nagsama-sama sila manang, mom, my siblings and Uncle Brixxon.

"W-What..?" I was bewildered. Birthday ko pala ngayon? Hindi ko na naalala.

"Pwede ka nang mag-asawa.." Sa bulong na 'yon ni Trezer ako nakapag-react. Binatukan ko siya at nagtawanan naman sila.

"Happy birthday, son. I wish you all the best in life. I love you." Niyakap ako ni mom, sumunod naman sa kanya ang mga kapatid ko.

"Thank you, mom.." I smile at them. Nakipag-fist bump ako kay Uncle Brix at hinalikan ko naman sa noo si manang.

"How about me bro? Where's my.."

"Shut up." I chuckled at him. Nakipagsiksikan naman siya sa pagyayakapan namin.

Napailing ako.

Niyaya nila akong kumain. Sa malaking lamesang naka-reserve, nagsalo-salo kaming lahat. Napuno ng kasiyahan ang buong hapagkainan at kahit gusto ko namang makisabay sa energy nila ngayon, hindi ko tuluyang magawa. I don't know but even though, my mom is here.. I still feel incomplete. Something is missing in my lonely heart.

"Your dad told me that you can sleep in my house if you want.."

"Uh.." Naging mailap ang mga mata ko. "I left something in the mansion, Mom. Sa susunod na lang."

"Okay.." She smiled, but I know na natigilan din siya.

Pagkauwi ko sa mansion. Bukas ang lahat ng ilaw. I don't know what to expect anymore, but I actually try to find Dad. Sinilip ko siya sa master bedroom at nang maabutan ko siyang natutulog na roon ay napabuntong hininga ako. Tumuloy na ako sa kwarto ko. Naupo ako sa kama. Akmang matutulog na rin ako nang may mapansin akong box sa side table. Kaagad ko itong nilapitan at tinignan.

Keep being strong like a Falcon.

Happy birthday, son.

-Dad

He remembers..

"T-This is the best gift ever.." I murmured, admiring the set of neckties in front of me.

What a happy birthday indeed.

"Seriously, dad? Why do you even trust me with this kind of event.." I frowned at him. "What if I fail you? This event is a big deal right?"

"So what? I believe in your capabilities, Miguel. I know you can do this." Natahimik ako. Pero kalaunan ay napatango na lang. This is good, right? My dad finally appreciated me. "I will do my best, dad."

"Of course, you will." A soft, wide smile lined up on his lips and my heart melted. I think I should really thank the reasons why he changed.

For once.. I feel happy.

For once.. My relationship with my parents seems really okay.

Now, everything feels nice.

And for the first time in my life, I pray to Him.

"I already give up, but you still save me. Thank you, God. I owe everything to you. Please let this situation continue.." As I closed my eyes, a carefree tear dropped on my cheeks. But just like how heartless the destiny is, my life becomes fuck up again. In just a blink of an eye, I'm here in front of his.. coffin.

"N-No.." My father's lifeless body is the only thing that I can see. How fast does the time change? I want to yell at him and tell him to wake up right now.

"W-We still have so much paperwork in the company, Dad.." My voice completely shattered. "I.. I still need you, please."

"Miguel.." Hindi ko nilingon si mom.

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala.

"I'm sorry for everything, son.." I tried to recall his last words. "I regret everything that I did to you and your mom." My eyes filled with tears. "You deserve all the best..I'm so proud of you." I slowly shook my head. "B-But why give up Dad? Why leave me?"

Except for having a disorder, Mike Anthony Falcon also has cancer.. he has a brain aneurysm. Since he was a kid, he suffered with his mental health. Because of his parents' wrongdoings, his grandparents pressured him with everything. With that, he always feels obligated to do his best, to act tough and perfect even though he is not. He always aimed for success, yet he didn't know how to love.. Not until he began loving me, not as a goal but because I'm his son.

"The fuck are you staring at? Leave!" I point out. Her eyes widened with humiliation. "W-What? But I thought.."

"You're funny." I chuckled nonchalantly. Nagsindi ako ng sigarilyo. "That's only a one-time thing."

"Y-you.."

"Leave. I don't want to see you anymore. I enjoy the night but the door is now open, give me a favour and fucking leave already okay?"

"Fuck you!" Napatayo agad siya. Namumula ang buong mukha niya sa galit.

"Be a penis then.." I shrugged, and she screamed to my face more before finally, leaving me alone.

"Women.." They are always the same. They got easily attached and it's fucking annoying.

Nag-vibrate bigla ang cellphone ko kaya napatingin ako roon. Inubos ko muna ang sigarilyo ko bago ko ito binuksan. Hindi na ako nagulat pa nang makita ang pamilyar na numero ni Trezer. May dadayuhin daw kaming club. Ise-send niya na lang daw 'yung location. His acquaintance will host a party there, and he convinced me na mage-enjoy ako roon dahil bukod sa maraming babae, there are also numerous available drinks there that will make us high as fuck.

"Threesome?" I scoffed, shaking my head while glancing at the girl on his lap. She's pretty but.. "No, thanks."

"Arte!" He laughed. "Sa akin ka na lang 'no?" The girl giggled while nodding and I sipped my drinks, not minding how they disgustingly made out in front of me. He's really shameless.

"Bro! Where are you going-"

"I'll just roam around," I informed him. "Enjoy then!" Hindi ko na siya pinansin. Lumabas ako sa VIP room. Sumalubong naman sa akin ang nakakahilong ilaw sa labas. Dumoble ang dami ng tao sa dancefloor ngayon at sa totoo lang, pinagsisisihan kong umalis pa ako sa pwesto ko kanina kase napakaingay nito ngayon.

"Geez.. These people are also wild," I breathed out. Babalik na sana ako sa loob nang may makakuha ng atensyon ko. Nangunot ang noo ko. Maya-maya pa ay hindi ko na namamalayang humahakbang na pala ako palapit sa kanya.

"Hey.." I cleared my throat, itching to get her attention. But to my dismay, instead of looking at me.. she walked away.

My lips parted. Did she indirectly reject me? I can't believe this. So I chase her, baka hindi niya lang ako narinig. Akmang lalapitan ko ulit siya matapos niyang huminto ngayon nang bigla naman siyang matalisod.

She's drunk!

"Oh, fuck.." I cursed under my breath. Kaagad ko siyang inalalayan pero ang hindi ko nga lang inaasahan ay ang naging reaksyon ng katawan ko nang madikit na siya sa akin. She feels oddly soft..

"Careful, miss.." I gently caressed her arms. Nang biglang may bumangga sa likuran niya ay tuluyan naman siyang napakapit sa akin. Mas yumakap naman ako sa kanya. Magkadikit na magkadikit kami ngayon.

"Tang ina." I looked away.. Naninikip ang pants ko. Gusto kong ilayo muna siya pero ayaw na siyang pakawalan ng mga kamay ko. She suited perfectly in my embrace and I didn't have the heart to let her go.

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