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Chapter Nineteen

Parents Meeting

I went to work after that. Mamaya pa naman ang class schedule ko kaya dumaan na muna ako sa cafe. It's just so near my university. When I came back here in Cebu I've met with my relative and we talked about co-owning this cafe. At dahil my savings naman ako, and the money that both my parents have left me so I was able to start and share a business with my cousin, Jeth.

"Alexander," Sinalubong ako ni Jeth pagkapasok ko ng cafe.

"Jeth." Binati ko rin siya.

"Napag-isipan mo na ba 'yong sinabi ko sa 'yo nang isang araw?" He asked me.

Bumaling ako sa pinsan ko at tumango. Pinag-usapan namin na palalakihin pa ang cafe. This rented space actually has a second floor. But since we just opened not so long ago we only used the first floor. And now we're thinking of using the second floor as well as part of the cafe where customers could also dine in.

"Dumadami na rin kasi ang customers natin. Especially the ladies who's been frequenting our cafe because of the young future doctor." Jeth gave me a meaningful smile.

I just shook my head. And then we started welcoming new customers coming in the cafe.

"Ganda nung isa kanina." sabi sa 'kin ni Jeth habang nasa counter kami.

"What?" sabi ko lang habang nag-aayos din ako doon.

"Sabi ko maganda 'yung babae kanina. At halatang may crush sa 'yo." He said. "Hinihingi pa ang pangalan mo sa social media. Bakit hindi mo binigay?"

Bumaling ako kay Jeth. "I already have a daughter, Jeth." I said. "And she's my priority. I also don't really use social media."

Tumango naman siya. "I get you, Alexander. I'm just saying that, maybe one day when you decide to date I'm sure marami ka pa rin pagpipilian. And of course my niece would not be a big deal to any lady." He grinned at me.

Inilingan ko lang siya uli.

"O baka naman, iniisip mo pa rin ang Nanay ng anak mo?"

Napabaling ako muli kay Jeth. We were already close even back then nang buhay pa ang lola ko. Magkaedad lang din kasi kami and same school pa noong high school. He's just like Gerald here in Cebu. And I've already talked to him about Theia's mother. Sinabi ko lang sa kaniya na hiwalay na kami ng mama ni Theia and we met in Germany when I was there. And Theia's with me now.

Umiling na lang muli ako kay Jeth. And didn't say anything after that.

And then after a while ay nagpaalam na rin ako sa kaniyang papasok na sa university.

At parang mabilis lang din na lumipas ang panahon. Pakiramdam ko pa nga ay ang parang ang bilis lang din lumaki ni Theia. I almost couldn't believe it that I'm now bringing her to kindergarten.

"Hello, Sir! I am Teacher Marie!"

Ngumiti ako sa teacher, who welcomed us. "Hello, teacher. This is my daughter, Theia Alexandra." I introduced my daughter to her new teacher.

Bumaling naman ang teacher sa anak ko.

"Hello, Theia!" Ngiting-ngiti sa amin ng anak ko ang teacher.

"Good morning, teacher." I greeted and then I looked at my daughter.

Tumingin din sa akin si Theia, before she turned back to her teacher and greeted her as well. "Good morning, teacher..." She timidly greeted but politely enough.

"Good morning! Halika, pasok na tayo sa loob. Ito ang classroom natin." The teacher said.

I was holding her hand when Theia looked up at me again. She looked a bit hesitant on entering the classroom. It's just her first time to enter school today. I bent down so that we could level. I smiled at her. She looked so adorable in her little school uniform and a Disney backpack with a lunchbox as well. It comes in pair with the backpack that we bought at the mall. Natuwa pa nga ako noong namimili kami ng gamit niya for school nang isang araw. All the cute things that they were selling at the mall suits my baby girl. That's why I also love buying and shopping for her things.

"Theia, you have to go in now. Pupunta pa si Daddy sa hospital. Pero susunduin kita mamaya. And Yaya Mia will also stay here at school with you." I gently told her.

Pagkatapos ay unti-unti naman siyang tumango. I gave my daughter a reassuring smile. And then she went in the classroom with her teacher.

Tumayo na ako pagkatapos at nagpaalam na rin sa yaya. "Please look after Theia, Ate Mia." bilin ko sa kaniya.

Tumango naman siya sa 'kin. "Ako nang bahala rito. Sige, pumunta ka na sa ospital."

I nodded. And I'm really grateful to her. Baby pa lang si Theia ay siya na ang nag-alaga. But when we have to move to Manila, she couldn't come with us anymore. Dahil nandito na sa Cebu ang buhay at pamilya rin niya.

Habang papunta na ako sa sasakyan ay tiningnan ko pa ang picture ni Theia sa phone ko. I took a few photos of her earlier in her new school uniform. It's her first day of school and I want to keep some remembrance of it. Napangiti ako habang tinitingnan ko ulit ang pictures niya sa phone ko. She's so cute.

When I finished med school I started working at a hospital in Cebu City. But I received a bigger offer in Manila and moved there for the opportunity. My professors in the university recommended me for doing well when I was just still studying medicine, and the hospital where I worked or became a resident doctor here in Cebu also recommended me as well to transfer to a bigger hospital in Metro Manila. So we moved to Manila with my daughter when Theia was seven years old.

I also had to hire a new nanny for her. Since I go to the hospital to work. At sila lang ang naiiwan sa bahay para may kasama rin siya. And although Theia misses Ate Mia in Cebu, nasasanay na rin siya sa Ate Merry niya. Mas bata rin si Merry kay Ate Mia kaya parang ate lang din talaga siya kay Theia at nakikipaglaro rin siya sa anak ko. I'm just always thankful that I find someone na maaasahan kong maiwan sa anak ko habang nasa ospital ako. And a nanny is a big help for a working parent like me.

Maaga akong natapos sa trabaho ko sa hospital ngayon kaya sinundo ko si Theia sa school niya. She's in Grade 2 now here in Manila. I also promised her na kakain din kami sa labas ngayon at mag-s-shopping na rin kami ng new clothes niya and toys.

Hindi na siya sinasamahan ni Merry sa school now that she's in the second grade. So the nanny just stays at home. Hanggang last year na lang siya nagpapasama pa sa school niya. At noong bagong lipat pa lang kami rito sa Manila. Now she said that she can manage on her own. Of course I feel proud for my daughter. But thinking that she's becoming more mature, ay ayaw ko rin na parang ang bilis niyang lumalaki at nagkakaisip. Kung pwede lang na bata siya palagi, but she will always be my little angel. And my baby princess. Kahit pa lumaki na siya at maging dalaga, at magkaroon pa ng sarili niyang pamilya...

Napangiwi ako sa naisip habang nagmamaneho. I think I'm not ready for it yet. Kaya hindi ko na lang din muna iisipin. Theia is still a baby now.

"Nandito na pala ang Daddy ni Theia." Her teacher welcomed me and smiled.

Ngumiti rin ako sa teacher and talked to her a bit about my daughter in school. And the teacher willingly talked to me as well.

Lumapit na rin sa akin si Theia pagkatapos, and I helped her carry her school bag. Nagpaalam na rin kami sa teacher and went back to my car.

"How's school?" I asked her while I drive to the mall.

Bumaling naman siya sa akin. "Okay, Daddy. Teacher said there will be a parents meeting." She told me.

Tumango naman ako at nasabi na rin sa akin kanina ng teacher niya.

I brought Theia to the mall at kumain muna kami. Before I brought her to the shops and I bought her clothes and shoes. She also chose a new large stuffed toy. She likes teddy bears more than dolls. Although she also used to play dolls and the dollhouse I gave her when she was younger. But she likes hugging a stuffed toy when she sleeps. And we just also bought a take out food for her Ate Merry.

"Did you enjoy today, Theia?"

"Yes, Daddy! Thank you!" Malambing naman na aniya sa 'kin.

I smiled to my daughter. And then we went home.

When she was in Kindergarten, I remember that whenever she gets stars at school from her teacher I make sure to acknowledge even the littlest of her achievements and I treat her out like this.

At sa bahay ay nakikita ko rin siya na tumutulong sa Ate Marie niya sa paglilinis. Silang dalawa lang kasi ang naiiwan sa bahay, and my daughter was just so willing to learn household chores at a young age. She's a responsible and a sweet girl.

She also already learned baking when I bought an oven for Merry dahil magaling din siya sa pag-b-bake ng mga cake at cookies and she taught Theia. Once my daughter also baked me a small cake for the Valentines. And I remember that I was so happy to receive it. Akala pa nga ng mga kasama kong doctors at nurses sa hospital ay kung kanino galing. But I told them that it's my daughter who made it. Binaon ko kasi 'yong cake sa hospital dahil may duty pa ako at doon ko na lang kinain because I already have to leave home when Theia gave it to me.

And then I attended the parents meeting. At ako lang yata ang daddy na pumunta roon sa meeting, because most of the students parents who came were moms. At mukhang nakuha ko pa ang atensyon nilang lahat because they were looking at me. Siguro kasi iniisip nila na ako lang ang tatay na nandoon sa meeting.

And after the meeting some of the parents also went to talk to me...

"Single Dad ka pala? Sabi ni Teacher." anang Mommy ng isang classmate ni Theia sa akin.

I looked at the teacher, at ngumiti lang din ito sa akin.

"Ako rin single! I mean, single Mom." My daughter's classmate's mom said.

And I just smiled...

It wasn't easy to raise my daughter alone. But I have learned many things raising Theia. It was fulfilling being my daughter's Dad. And it was worth it more than anything in the world.

I made it without Aletheia. I raised our daughter alone. At nakaya ko na.

But now I would see her in front of me and my daughter. And she would just suddenly appear here after many years that she wasn't with us...