“Don Miguel, pasensya na po. Hindi ko po talaga kaya. Uuwi na lang po ako samin.” Nakayukong sabi ng driver ng anak ni Don Miguel.

“Hindi na ba talaga magbabago ang isip mo?” Tanong ni Don Miguel sa driver na agad din namang umiling bilang sagot.

Hindi na maalala ni Don Miguel kung pang ilang driver na ito ngayong buwan. Halos sa araw araw ba namang ginawa ng Maykapal, hindi na ata natapos ang ganitong kaganapan sa opisina niya. Ang tanging dahilan? Ang kaisa-isang anak ni Don Miguel na si Minju.

“Sige, kung ganon ay magiingat ka.”

Same scenario lang yan araw araw. Pinakamatagal na ang dalawang beses na pagdadrive ng isang driver para kay Minju. Kadalasan kasi unang hatid pa lamang sa kanya ng mga ito ay tinatanggal na niya agad o kaya ay kusang nagreresign ang driver.. tulad ngayon.

Dali daling umalis ang driver sa loob ng opisina ni Don Miguel para makauwi.

What seems to be the problem here, Minju?

“Manang.” A woman in her 60s entered Don Miguel's office after a knock with a cup of coffee in her hands, his request from earlier. Kailangan niya ng stress reliever dahil mamomroblema na naman siya kung paanong makakarating ang anak sa mga gusto at kailangan nitong puntahan.

Don Miguel is a single dad. At mula ng mawala ang asawa nitong si Donya Julia ay hindi na siya nag-asawa pang muli. Nagfocus na lamang siya sa anak at negosyong iiwanan niya rito kung sakali mang siya ay susunod na rin sa yumao niyang misis.

“Kape po, Don Miguel.” Iniabot ni Manang Carmen ang kape na hawak.

Don Miguel took a sip before putting the glass down. Somehow he's relaxed, the coffee helped soothe his tense nerves. It reminds him of his wife, kape kasi ang bonding nila lalo sa umaga.

Don Miguel felt a twinge in his heart as he remembered his wife. Pero kailangan niyang magpakatatag dahil kailangan siya ng kanyang anak, kailangan siya ni Minju.

“Manang, can you call my daughter for me?” Tumango naman ang matanda at tumungo sa kwarto ng anak ni Don Miguel.

“Ma'am Minju? Pinapatawag ho kayo ni Don Miguel sa opisina niya.” Sabi ni Manang Carmen sa harap ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Minju.

Isa.. tatlo.. limang set ng katok at wala pa ring sumasagot.

“Ma’am Minj—” The door suddenly bursts open, revealing Minju who just woke up with an irked face due to being disturbed in her sleep. She looked so pissed but she just passed by the old woman.

“What do you want, dad?” Padabog itong umupo sa sofa na nasa loob din ng opisina ni Don Miguel. Nakapikit na siya uli dahil talagang inaantok pa.

“Your driver resigned again, anak. What is it this time?” Don Miguel said, after putting down his finished cup of coffee.

“He honked so much that it irritates me!”

“He honked twice to overtake dahil mabagal ang nasa harap niyo, Minju. You said you needed to go somewhere ASAP and when he followed, what did you do? Scold and insult him? Anak, that's not how things work.” Don Miguel stopped mid his sentences. “If only your mom was here.” He added with a sigh.

“But she isn't Dad, so just stop and find me a new driver.” Minju firmly stated, even crossing her arms to look determined.

Napahilot nalang sa sintido si Don Miguel. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin sa anak niya. Ubos na rin ang resume ng mga driver na nagapply sa kanila at mukhang wala na ring magbabalak pang sumunod dahil balibalita na ang mga pinaggagagawa ni Minju sa mga nauna niyang driver.

“If you're not going to change that attitude of yours then I'm sorry. I can only say that you have to drive on your own.”

“What?!” Minju stood up and went towards her dad's desk. “Dad you can't do that.” She sarcastically said as if mocking her father's command.

“I'll find a trusted person to teach you soon. You can leave.”

“No! I will not leave here until you find me a driver!”

“Then stay there until you can. This attitude of yours needs to change.” With her forehead creasing and tears that's about to drop from her pretty eyes, Minju left Don Miguel's office exasperated. It didn't helped na pumipintig ang ulo niya dahil sa hangover.

Minju loves her dad, but hearing him say that she needs to go on her own this time, she felt like he doesn't love her anymore. Don Miguel has always been protective of his daughter, making it tenfold when he lost his other half. Kaya this is actually a big decision for him to make.

He also saw how his daughter reacted. He wanted to console her, tell her what she wants but he needs to do this for her as well. Paano na nga lang pag nawala siya hindi ba? Who will stand up for his daughter other than herself right?

Don Miguel took his phone out and called an old friend.

—

“Jin! Kain tayo sa Mcdo!” Palabas na ng klase si Yujin nang humabol si Minjeong dito. Vacant na kasi nila kaya libre nang tumambay sa kung saan saan. May klase pa sila mamaya pero 4 hours pa bago yun.

“I can't Jeong, may trabaho ako.” Yujin said. Malapit na rin sila sa parking area ng school kung nasaan ang motor niya.

“Jin naman, lagi mo nalang ba akong irereject? Sa cute kong to?” At nagpuppy eyes pa nga ito na siya namang inirapan lamang ni Yujin.

Hinarap ni Yujin ang kaibigan ng huminto sila sa tabi ng isang big bike na may Grab Insulated bag sa likuran.“I really can't Jeong. Next time, babawi ako.”

Napasimangot naman si Minjeong sa sagot ni Yujin, but what can she do? Sinusuportahan lang naman kasi ni Yujin ang sarili niya. Pag nagsayang siya ng oras ay hindi siya magkakaroon ng pera para sa araw na ito, sayang. Kaya kailangan niyang kumayod, kahit mahirap.

“Sige na nga, basta next time ah?” Minjeong sadly said, giving Yujin a big hug before they parted ways.

“Yes, yes. Next time it is. Babawi ako sayo.” Yujin hugged her best friend back before going back to wearing her