Stories Of My Father (1/10)

His smile was so genuine, I could die that moment, as if I had done my mission in life. I came home from work decades back, to find him having chitchat with the househelp by the dirty kitchen. He was seated on this makeshift stool made of scrap wood from somewhere. He was in his usual witty disposition, a lit stick of Marlboro Red on his right hand, wearing his one of only two white tennis shorts, topped with this v-necked white Hanes shirt, which was not as white anymore. Nope, there was no beer in sight. Not yet. 

I just received my first-ever salary in my life, in a brown pay envelope. I was so giddy having it in my bag that I did not even count how much was in it. All I needed was to know that all the broken nails from typing eight hours a day paid off. And the constant glaring of this old woman who was my supervisor, whom hindsight I think looked like a bit of a witch. Really. 

I approached Papa in his mid-laughter and handed him my pay envelope. I told him: 'Papa, nagsueldo na ako oh. Bigay ko lahat sa yo.' He was a bit hesitant to take it, like he had no right. But he took the envelope just the same so as not to embarass me. I knew he did not need it, he was Mayor for Christ's sake. I think now that my intention then was to thank him for everything that he has done to 'enable' me to have a job. The pay envelope was to honor those efforts. Then he asked, 'Pano yung allowance mo papuntang office everyday?' I replied, 'Eh di hihingi ako sa yo everyday'. We both found that funny. He put his arm around my shoulder and said, 'Thank you, nakkong. Now go give this envelope to your Mama'.