"I understand," I replied, thinking about how hard this must be for him. "The company needs you."
                          
"Yes," he added. "Besides, I don't want to waste years of your Mom's hardwork and sacrifice just to leave our companies in the hands of those board of directors."
                          
Napangiti naman ako nang marinig ko 'yon. Being the sole provider of our family and the CEO of our group of companies would give him a greater burden. I wanted to comfort him but I didn't know how.
                          
"Here." He slid a small box to my direction. "A gift."
                          
I looked at him, confused. "For what?"
                          
"I wouldn't be here on your birthday. Sorry."
                          
Ah, right. I have completely forgotten about that. Sabagay, yearly ko namang hindi naaalala at nare-remind lang ako kapag naghahanda sina Nanay Fe at Nanay Meling.
                          
"Uhm, thank you," I mumbled while looking curiously at the box. This was the first time he personally gave his gift to me.
                          
For some reason, it made me sad because I'd probably never receive any gifts anymore from my mother. The ring I was wearing was the last and I was glad that Jazer found it when I lost it that day.
                          
"Chloe," he called. I looked at him and my heart sank when his expression softened. "Take care of your mother and siblings."
                          
"I . . ." My voice cracked and faltered. "I will."
                          
"Take care of yourself, too," he added and I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.
                          
Yumuko ako para itago ang mukha ko pero naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa likod ko. The next thing I knew, I was already crying on my father's arms. He didn't say anything, just like the time he told me about Mom's condition.
                          
"Sorry for forcing you to be strong," sabi niya habang hawak pa rin ako. "But you have to. We have to. Because the people dearest to us are depending on us."
                          
Tumango naman ako at pinipilit kong pigilan ang pag-iyak ko. I promised I wouldn't let anyone see my tears anymore but I kept failing. This time, I needed to be the pillar . . . to be their source of strength.
                          
Pagkatapos kong kumalma ay naglakad na palayo si garden si Dad. Kailangan niya pang ihanda ang mga gamit niya at for sure, marami rin siyang ibibilin kina Nanay Meling at Kuya Larry regarding Mom. I was staring at Dad's back when Jazer suddenly appeared. Nagulat naman siya nang makita niya si Dad.
                          
"Good morning po," bati niya.
                          
"I need to talk to you," he said which made Jazer's shoulder tense.
                          
Na-curious din ako kaya naman umalis ako mula ro'n sa kubo at tumakbo papunta sa kanila.
                          
"Dad," tawag ko. "Why will you—"
                          
"Because I am your father," he said, as if he already knew what I was going to ask.
                          
"What?"
                          
He just gave me a quick smile before the two of them went outside. I didn't get it but whatever. Bumalik na lang ako sa loob ng bahay at nagpalipas ng oras.
                          


                          
***
                          
After an hour or two, nag-prepare na ako para pumunta sa school ni Czanelle. Binihisan na rin siya ni Jazer pero ako ang pumili ng isusuot niya dahil baka kung ano pa ang maging itsura niya. Dinala ko na rin ang bag ko para diretso na sa university at mukhang gano'n din si Jazer.
                          
Paglabas ko ay naabutan ko silang pababa na ng hagdan kaya sumunod na rin ako. Dumiretso na rin kami sa labas dahil naghihintay na ro'n si Kuya Larry.