Pauls Family Tragedies - Essay Example

The bus shook as it instantly halted to give way to a rushing jeep that summoned from an intersection, and this made Paul wake up suddenly from a nap. The driver cursed viciously as the reckless vehicle almost disappeared from the other side. He turned his sight to the nearby window and saw the street sign saying that he is already in Lemery. He knew then that it won’t take more minutes to get to his destination. Paul grabbed his bag and stood up, made his way slowly to the door of the vehicle.

“Lemery Proper!” The driver yelled as he pulled over the side of the road. The driver reminded him of his father. He must have been this old right now. Paul started walking, sighing heavily. Half scared half angry. This feels more of an obligation - the very purpose of this trip back in his home town. But Paul is certain that he is not really going home, for there’s no more home in this place anymore. He is there to visit his father - a detainee in Batangas Provincial Prison for almost six years now, and charged with drug trafficking.

Today is his father’s fifty-first birthday. Secondly, he needed to see him as this might be the last time they may see each other. In a few days, he will be bound to leave the country to work overseas. It looked so tired, with a body that implied he had failing health. A knot suddenly formed inside of him. He turned his sight away from his father. “Paul…” the old man uttered in a voice so obvious of happiness to see his son. Paul didn’t even turn to look at him.

His father asked how he and John were faring; still, he remained silent. “I miss my family….” his father said. With this, Paul looked at him crossly, resisting to speak any foul language. His father, slowly becoming aware of his son’s disposition on him, didn’t speak anymore. He simply stared at him - his own son who’s all grown up now. Silence reigned between them once more. “It’s really lonely in here. I am truly grateful you finally decided to visit me….

” “I have to,” Paul shot at him. “I’m leaving for good. I will leave the country two days from now,” Paul continued with his head bowed down, avoiding his eyes. “Where are you going? Are you going to work there?” his father asked solemnly. “Yes, father. To Korea,” Paul answered. Feeling like he doesn’t deserve to be answered. Honestly, he thought to himself, he must put an end to this. Paul stood up and finally looked at his father.

A tear rolled down on his father’s eye. “Can I hold you, please?” his father asked him. “It won’t change a thing,” Paul answered, slowly shaking his head. “How’s John? Where is he?” “He’s gone.” “Heart failure. Seems it runs in the family….” Paul felt he could not hold it anymore. “The family you said you’ve been missing has been gone for a long time already. Thanks to you.” More silence.

“Happy Birthday, Father…. Goodbye.” As if on cue, Paul turned around and walked away hurriedly. Tears rolled down his checks, half blurring his vision. His father called after him with a loud howl after he heard the tragic news. The cries thinned out but followed Paul as he stepped outside the premises. Paul took the first bus that pulled over at the road that very moment, thinking that it must have been a mistake visiting him. His father’s voice calling his name helplessly kept ringing in his ears.

Four hours spent on the bus trip back to Manila found him relieved somewhat. He had done what he thought was part of closure he had to make. With all of his anger released and the nagging thoughts that battled in his mind during the trip, with his father’s cry still echoing on his mind, he then realized that he himself is also a prisoner of his resentment to his very own father. A lonely father, he thought. One who only wanted to be forgiven, and longing for a second chance to prove his love.

He badly needed Paul now more than ever. And what was he? Didn’t he long for his father’s embrace which he had denied earlier? He needed him badly too, now more than ever. With full determination to make it right this time, he stepped down the bus and run hurriedly. He then took the bus that was bound back to Lemery. At the door, he was asked, “Weren’t you the last one he spoke to?” Dazed from the crowd of people wanting to ask him questions at the same time, he cried a long, lonely howl with patent pain and regret, but one that answered to his father’s cries that haunted him then.