No Ordinary Playboy (PUBLISHED UNDER LIFEBOOKS - The 2018 Wattys Winner)

Chapter 23

Isaac Dryle Alfonzo Guevarra's POV

"You are lucky. You still manage to breathe air." Buntung-hiningang sabi ni Mike na bumisita sa akin sa ospital. I wasn't hurt much. Konting galos lang ng baril sa balikat pero pina-admit nila ako.

"If it's my time, then it's my time. Kung dati hindi ko matanggap na nawala nang ganoon si Dad, ngayon tanggap ko na lahat. Maybe, I wasn't ready to accept the truth that time. Naghanap lang ako ng masisi para maibsan ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. Siguro ganoon din nangyari sa babaeng iyon," sabi ko sa kanya habang tumitingala sa kisame. She just need someone to show her the things she wasn't able to see.

Marami akong napagtanto sa nakalipas na taon. Everyone moves according to their wants and needs. Lahat may kanya-kanyang dahilan. Pero ako di ko alam saan ako patutungo dahil sa pagkamuhi ko.

"Maybe it's also time to let you know the truth." Seryoso ang mukha ni Mike. May hindi pa sila sinasabi sa akin? "It's about Dannie. Binilin niya na sabihin ko ito kung handa ka na. I know you avoided the topic about Dannie. You never tried asking us about her these past years." I remained silent. He is somewhat right. Hindi ko rin naman kasi alam ang gagawin kung sakaling malaman ang tungkol sa kanya. "She was involved in an accident."

"I already know about that."

"Did you know that your Dad was also there?" Umiling ako. She never told me that. "It was the same day your father died. The little girl who was almost hit by your dad was Dannie. Naging mabilis ang pangyayari para sa kanya dahil nakita niya mismo ang nangyari sa dad mo. She taught she was the reason of the accident."

"I remember meeting a girl during that time sa bahay nila lolo. She never talked but she stayed by my side when I was crying so hard that time. Ayaw kong makita ni mama na umiiyak ako. Mas lalo pa kasi siyang malulungkot. At iyon ang huling araw na umiyak ako. I tried my best to be strong for mom's sake.

"She developed her personality disorder after that time." Muling dagdag ni Mike.

"I already move on. All those things happened in the past. I want to make my own future from now." How I wish I can take away the post-trauma she had. Or maybe someone already did that for her. That's it! She is now happily living with someone.

"Want to know where she is now?" I know whom he meant.

"No need. I already met her the other day. She is happy now. And I only want happiness for her."

"Really? You met her? That's surprising. Well, if that's your decision, then."

"Kuya Prince!" Umalingaw-ngaw ang sigaw ni Mona sa loob pagkapasok. Ang batang 'to talaga.

"Uh, my little princess." Halos mapangiwi ako nang pumatong sa gilid ng kama ko si Mona. Nahawi kasi niya ang balikat kong may sugat.

"Be careful, Mona. Huwag kang makulit may sugat ang kuya Prince mo. Be a good girl. I'll check the bills first so behave." Paalam ni Mike.

"Ayiee Captain!" Mabilis na sagot naman nito. "Kuya Prince I have something for you." Masayang sabi nito bago may kinuha sa bag niya. "Someone said that flowers can heal. So I brought you one!" Inabot niya sa akin ang isang bulaklak na puti.

"I am all healed now. Shall we go,now?" Bumangon na ako habang bumaba na rin si Mona na tumatango.

"Gosh! Di ba si Isaac Dryle 'yan? Ang gwapo talaga." Biglang nagkumpulan sa daan ang mga babae. Matagal ko rin palang nakalimutan ang ganito. Indeed, no one fails to notice an Isaac Dryle Alfonzo Guevarra.

"Kuya Prince, when are you getting married? Mommy said you will." Mona cutely hold my hands while we are walking.

"In no time. For now, I'll look for a bride." I patted her.

"I'll help, then!" She giggled excitedly.

Our princess has grown up cutely. Last time, she's just a stubborn girl looking for attention. Kids are indeed cute.

"Someone is waiting for you," sabi ni Mike nang makarating kami sa bahay nila. Pinilit niya kasi akong pumunta sa bahay nila.

"Sino?"

"She said she missed you so much. She's also the one who told me about the flowers," masayang sabi ni Mona habang nakangiti lang si Mike.

"Babae. It's not surprising for---" Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin nang may nagsalita.

"Isaac Dryle Alfonzo Guevarra." Someone with a very familiar voice said my name.

Matagal ko na ring hindi narinig ang boses niya.

"Hindi mo naman ako namiss e. Nakakainis ka," pagtatampo niya.

"No! I missed you. I really really missed this beautiful woman." Nilapitan ko siya at mahigpit na yumakap.

"Magaling na sugat mo?" Kinalas niya ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanya.

"Not really, but I don't feel the pain now because you're here." Muli ko namang yinakap siya nang mahigpit. "I missed this. I missed you, Mom."

"I missed you, too, my very own Isaac Dryle Alfonzo Guevarra."

"Tita, you promise me that you'll bring me to a nice place. I want to see lots of flowers!" Mona said in her most energetic way.

Bumaling naman si mama sa kanya na nakangiti.

"Give them enough time, Mona. Kakarating lang ng kuya mo." Baling naman ni Mike kay Mona. Nagpout naman ang cute naming Mona.

"I'll keep that promise. We can go now, if you want." Masayang sabi ni mama kay Mona na nagpatili sa kanya. "Do you want to go along?" Hinarap muli ako ni mama bago nagtanong.

"Sure. Anywhere as long as it's with you."

"Oh. That's sweet of you, my son. You never fall out of sweet words. You are indeed a playboy."

"I am no ordinary playboy. That's the right word to describe me."

"You never change, Sac." Mike said with his disapproving look. "Tita, sorry to bother you with Mona. I need to go back to work now." Baling niya kaya mama na nagpahiwatig naman nang pag-intindi bago pinuntahan si Mona. "Be good."