TOUCH

                                      As what Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan said: Don’t judge your father too harshly. After all he really loves you very much.

                                 I remember this quote right after I read Lakambini Sitoy’s Touch. I love how the writer presented the characters. Every reader would probably learn something from them. For me, the story has an impact. It pushed me to play what-if. What if my father was Mang Tinong? What if my younger brother was Ciso? What if I was Dora? What if somebody who’s nobody was the healer? What if we were in their situation? Touch – such an interesting title.

                                 My father exposes his self under the heat of the sun for almost ten years. No doubt his skin turned dark. He prepares food for our breakfast and dinner. No doubt I do not know how to cook. He cleans our surrounding during his day off. No doubt he has lesser time to relax. Unlike my mother, father isn’t affectionate. I love you never came out from his mouth.

                                 Like father, my younger brother doesn’t show he cares. We used to play basketball under the rain when we were kids. For me, that’s the sweetest bonding ever. Yet, for him it was merely a competition. I kind of hate him because he never taught me how to play Counter Strike and Dota. So, I had to help myself. I swear it wasn’t effective. I didn’t get any better – I was never even good at it. Still, I do care for him.  Though I never heard him say thank you.

                                 Among my siblings I am the sweetest, I guess. However, I can also be bitter every time the situation calls for it. I love to say “thank you” to my siblings and father. “I love you” is intended only for my mother. Unlike the rest of the gang, it doesn’t sound dramatic for her. My problem is, I am too shy to say I’m sorry whenever my conscience would knock. I may not say it yet I do show it.

                                 Our family is apparently not perfect. At least, we live and suffer together. And I thank God for that.

                                 Though papa doesn’t say he loves us, we can feel and see that he does. So, if he was Mang Tinong he’d probably not beat us. Dodong may not say he’s thankful but at least he is respectful. Then he would not leave me hanging if he was Ciso. I love my family so much -- whatever will happen, I will always choose to live with them. I think positive as much as I can. So, if I was Dora I would never be full of regrets. Our family might face some wounded times. Yet there is someone who isn’t just anybody – He is always ready to heal our hearts and minds. So, if we were in their situation we could probably get through it.

                                 I finally get the touch after the what-ifs. It isn’t about what you say; it’s about how you act instead. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. For me, touch is what your heart feels which contradicts what is on your mind. Thus, it is left unspoken yet uncovered.

                                 I even more appreciate and love my father after reading the story. I consider him as our Superman. Yet I realized that even heroes have weaknesses. So, I decided to help him as much as I can. I will study well for him and my family. As far as possible, he must relax when he would arrive at home from his work.

            I know papa is not perfect like Mang Tinong. However, I promise not to judge him. I’d agree with Mrs. Darling – after all he really loves us very much.