LOVE At First Sight

Vingt-et-un

"So the two of you knew each other?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Tiffany sa kanyang ama. Pang-ilan beses na nya ito tinatanong kaya't tawa ng tawa sa kanya ang tatlo.

"Mi hija, how many times do I have to tell you? Yes. Magkakilala kami. We've been classmates since Secondary up to Tertiary. And I was actually surprised that Alexander, your man happens to be this shithead's Son."

Then Alexander's Father snorted. "Says the man who failed two subjects during Tertiary. Who's the dickhead among us?"

Napangiwi ang ama ni Tiffany at napakamot sa ulo. "Binuko mo naman ako sa anak ko."

"Seriously Papá?" Napagpapantastikuhang tanong ni Tiffany sa kanyang ama kapagkuwan ay tumango ito na parang hiyang-hiya.

"Anyway that was all in the past so let's just change our topic." Sabi ng kanyang ama kaya't napatawa nalang si Tiffany at Alexander habang ang ama ni Alexander ay napapailing.

"Papá, hindi ba dahil nalaman mong anak ni Papa Alexis si Alexander kaya mo sya tinanggap?"

Her Father looked at her flatly. "Tell me Hija, mukha ba akong pera?"

Then she grinned. "Of course not Papá."

"I told you. I was just testing the both of you. Kilala kita anak. Parehas tayo ng ugali. We follow what our heart wants. And we'll do everything to prove our love. Gusto ko lang malaman kung hanggang saan mo kayang ipaglaban si Alexander. I wanted also to see what your man right here can do for the sake of loving you and he already proved it to me."

Napatingin sya kay Alexander na nakangiti sa kanya bago nya ibalik ang tingin nya sa kanyang ama. "How Papá?"

"It's a secret between us anak. So don't ask because I won't tell it you."

Napanguso si Tiffany bago sya muling magsalita. "So... you won't disown me Papá? Okay na tayo?"

Tiffany's Father held her hand. "Anak, I will never disown you. I'm sorry kung sinabi ko ang salitang 'yon but God knows that I would never ever do that to my only daughter."

Because of the overwhelming feeling, she can't help but to hug her Father tightly. "Thanks Papà. Sobrang na-miss kita. I'm sorry for giving you so much heartbreak. But even though I choose to be with Alexander, still I will be your loving daughter. Te Amo Papá."

"Te Amo tambien mi Hija."

Then Tiffany slightly pulled away from hugging her Father and looked up to him. "You'll stay here in the Philippines for good?"

"Yes anak but I'll still come back to Spain from time to time. Though medyo matatagalan bago ako bumalik because I need to look for someone."

Then Alexander's Father spoke. "You're still looking for him huh?"

"Of course Alexis. Before my wife died, she told me not to stop looking for him. And that's what I'm doing for almost 6 years after Tiffany's Mother passed away."

"Wait Papá, who's this 'him' that you're talking about?"

Tiffany's Father and Alexander's Father exchanged look at each other before Tiffany's Father spoke. "Your Mother's son from her first lover."

Tiffany's mouth gaped in suprise upon her Father's revelation.

So all along, I have a step-brother?

"H-how—"

"Mi hija, before your Mom came to Paris to work as an OFW, she had an asshole boyfriend that time." At napansin nyang kumuyom ang kamay ng kanyang ama. "And that asshole always hurt your Mom physically. Kahit pa buntis na ang Mamá mo noon, binubugbog sya ng gagong iyon. So your Mom decided to work abroad after she gave birth to their son. Pero tinago ng gago ang anak ng Mamá mo hanggang sa kunin na sa atin ng Diyos ang Mamá mo, hindi man lang nya nakita ang panganay nyang anak na lalaki.