When Destiny Misfires

Simula

Prologue: Hatred

I fixed my hair one last time before finally stepping out of my car. I grabbed the cake box and headed inside the house.

Today is Dad's birthday. Ayoko sanang pumunta dahil sobrang busy ko sa school, lalo na't finals na namin, but Dad insisted he wanted to see me.

I couldn't bear the thought of him being sad on his special day.

As I entered the house, I immediately saw them—laughing with our relatives. I smiled and greeted my titas and titos.

"Oh my God, my baby. Buti naman nakapunta ka. Your dad will be so happy to see you," Mom greeted me warmly.

I smiled and hugged her tightly. I missed her and Dad so much. I hadn't seen them in two weeks because I'd been drowning in schoolwork at tuwing dumadalaw naman ako rito, lagi silang wala sila

"Happy birthday, Dad," I said as I handed him the cake. He smiled and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you so much, darling," he said while placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I noticed Kuya shaking his head with a smile on his face. Both he and I no longer lived at home. I moved out when I turned eighteen because I wanted to be independent.

"Can you sleep here tonight, darling? Just for tonight, anak. Please? Your mom and I really miss you." Dad looked at me with pleading eyes.

I pouted and slowly nodded.

Mom and Kuya immediately embraced me. It had been so long since we felt like a complete family again. Ever since Kuya and I moved out, we barely had time to see each other.

Kuya is currently in law school, while I'm graduating with a degree in Architecture this year.

We all had dinner with our relatives. Dad didn't want a big party—just a simple family celebration with the Villafuerte clan. Nagulat pa ako nang makita ko sina Lolo at Lola dito dahil bihira lang silang dumalaw lalo na't kapag may okasyon na ganito.

I smiled at my cousins when I saw them. We hardly see each other anymore because most of us are graduating this year too, so everyone's swamped.

After dinner, people went to grab drinks. Since I don't really drink, I just went to the living room and turned on the TV.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang balita—isang balitang matagal ko nang tinakasan.

"What can you say, Atty. Santiago, now that your son will be released after ten years in prison?" the reporter asked.

Atty. Santiago smiled. "Well... of course I'm very happy. We've waited ten years for this moment. My son deserves a second chance, a life outside those walls."