Chapter 16: Dad

"Dad?" I called.

The moment I woke up from time traveling, I was already here. Hindi ko pa alam kung nasaan ako eksakto. But then I saw my dad.

He actually looks younger here. Did I time travel way back? But I know it's him. He may look younger, but I know his face. And his smile...

He looks so happy. They were having an official soccer match. I think he's still in high school in this timeline. He looks so young, full of energy, and he was smiling so brightly.

Napangiti rin ako nang makita ko ang masayang ngiti sa mukha ni Daddy. He was also laughing with his teammates.

Tapos na ang match. I looked at the scoreboard—panalo sila. Parang may mainit na kamay na humawak sa puso ko. Parang ako rin ang nanalo. I turned my eyes back to my dad. I felt proud of him.

I knew he used to play soccer back in high school. Pero hindi na niya ito napagpatuloy sa college. That was also when he met my mom.

Parang wala ako sa sarili nang lumapit ako sa team nina Daddy. He was now talking to their coach.

"You did great, Trinidad! Wait for a sponsor's call. I'm sure they'll offer you to play soccer professionally," proud na nakangiti sa kanya ang coach ni Daddy.

I turned to look at my dad. He was smiling happily as he listened to what his coach had said.

My lips parted slightly. Pinagmamasdan ko pa rin si Daddy. And I was suddenly lost in my thoughts of him...

And just like that, I had so many questions.

I had already asked some of them before, in our present time. Like when I asked him why he had to stop playing soccer—when I knew he was already a great player, and had the chance to go pro. But he didn't... so why?

"Okay po. Thanks, Coach!"

The soccer coach smiled at my dad, then tapped his shoulder.

After that, Daddy walked toward the locker room to change. Sinundan ko siya.

"Dad... Daddy!" I called out.

He turned to me.

"What—Who?" Napaturo pa siya sa sarili niya. "Are you calling me?"

I nodded right away and stepped closer in front of him. We were standing at almost the same height. Natigilan siya. Nangunot ang noo niya.

"Why... why are you calling me..."

I grinned happily. "Dad? Because you are my dad!" But despite my smile, I could feel my eyes starting to well up. My vision of him began to blur from the tears. I was feeling so emotional.

"What..." Umawang ang labi ni Daddy.

"Daddy," I said again, like I was still a young boy. I've always been so close to him. Siya ang palaging nandiyan para sa akin. I didn't need more friends—because he was already my best friend. And I couldn't imagine a life without him.

I was too dependent on him growing up. At dati, kapag nagkakalagnat ako o kahit konting sipon lang, ang bilis ko agad magreklamo sa kanya. Umiiyak pa ako kapag iniiwan niya ang tabi ko. Gusto ko kasi na magpaalaga sa kanya kapag may sakit ako. And there were times when I didn't want to let him go at all. Gusto ko nasa tabi ko lang siya palagi. Ayaw kong iwanan niya ako. I couldn't imagine a life without my dad.

That's why he was always so busy attending to both me and my mom... that he never had the chance to pursue a career of his own.

"You're great! I just saw your match a while ago. Coach is right. You should go and play professional..." Mariin ko siyang tiningnan. "But why... Now tell me, Dad. Why did you stop? Why didn't you pursue your dream? You could've become one of the best in the world of football! Rather than just being a—what? A supportive husband to Mommy? I still want you to be my dad, of course. But I also want to see you shine!" I ranted at him.

He still looked lost at everything I was saying.

"Wait, please calm down for a moment. I don't quite get what you're saying... And you're saying you're my son?"

His forehead creased in confusion.

I nodded eagerly. "Yes, Dad! I am your son."

"Wha—What's your name? Who are you?" He raised his hands in front of me, as if still trying to calm me down.

"I am Julian Ellis Trinidad, Dad! You named me that yourself. Don't you remember?" I looked at him with anticipation.

Nakaawang pa rin ang labi niya.

"But... how could I... have a child already this big? I don't even have a girlfriend right now?" He looked completely confused.

And I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction.

"I came from the future, Dad," I said, straight and honest.

His lips parted even more. "You mean... you literally came from the future?"

I nodded. "Yes, Dad. And I am your son... from the future."

Nakaawang pa rin ang labi niya, at parang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa sinasabi ko.

And I get that.

Hindi nga naman ganoon na lang kadaling paniwalaan ang ganito.

"Alam ko pong mahirap itong paniwalaan, Daddy. But you're really my dad. And I'm your only son, Julian, in the present. You have to believe me. And also... I don't think I have that much time. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ako napunta sa timeline mo... But I still have to find someone in the past. I need to warn her of a tragic future—so it won't become that same tragic story again."

Mukhang gulat pa rin si Daddy sa mga sinabi ko.

Inabot ko ang kamay niya at hinawakan iyon. "Daddy, I don't know why I came back here instead. It's probably the machine's fault again. But I know for certain there's a reason I'm here now. And that is to warn you, too. To be your reminder—Dad, you have to go professional with soccer, no matter what, okay? Huwag mong sayangin ang talent at skill mo. I know you have a bright future waiting for you, Dad. And I'll wait for you in the future, okay?"

Daddy didn't nod or shake his head. I bet he's still shocked by everything happening.

But I just gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'll see you back in the present, Dad. I'll be waiting for you there. Kami po ni Mommy, hihintayin ka namin doon. I love you, Dad. Mahal na mahal ka po namin ni Mommy. And we're always grateful to you—for your unmatched efforts for our family. There's no one else like you in both mine and Mommy's lives, Daddy. We're proud of you. Always."

At kahit may kalituhan pa rin sa mukha ni Daddy, I saw his face slowly start to calm... and a soft smile formed on his lips—for me.