Hurricane (Disaster Series #1)

Kabanata 24

Restless

Nakamasid lang silang lahat sa hapag sa kung ano mang magiging reaksyon ko. At alam kong hindi rin ito gusto ni Kuya Eisen at Kuya Ezra, pareho silang hindi sang-ayon dito pero nirerespeto pa rin nila ang desisyon ni Dad.

"I'm sorry I reacted like that earlier, Dad, masyado lang akong nabigla sa mga pangyayari," malumanay na paumanhin ko.

Shortly after I walked out, sumunod sa akin sa kuwarto si Tita Helen. Walang pag-aamo o kahit ano mang pagpipigil sa akin na sumama kay Dad ang sinabi niya, she just wanted me to eat my dinner.

Dad then nodded with my apology. Nakangiti siya, ipinapakitang hindi naman big deal ang pag-wa-walk out ko.

"I want you to give this a chance, Cara. Hindi mo ba ito gusto? Na pagkatapos ng mahabang taon, magkakaroon ka ulit ng buong pamilya?" He smiled warmly at me.

"I am not closing doors on that chance Dad, but I already have a complete family. Naging kompleto na ang pamilya ko kasama sina Tita at Tito pati sina Kuya Eisen at Kuya Ezra."

Tita and the family were just listening to us while eating. Bakas sa mukha nilang lahat na kagaya ko, hindi pa rin sila nakakabawi sa kung anong nangyayari.

I don't really understand how I feel right now too. Of course, I want to be with my Dad, but having another complete family will mean breaking the other one that completed me when I had no one else to lean on.

"Maiintindihan naman ng Tita Helen mo, hindi ba?" baling ni Dad kay Tita.

Tita sighed before gently wiping her lips with a table napkin. Her expression was unreadable and her lips plastered in a grim line but still, she managed to let out a small stretch of smile.

"I understand that you are her father, Oliver. At sa totoo lang, kahit wala ka sa tabi ni Cara sa mga taon kung kailan kailangan ka niya, nirerespeto ko pa rin ang karapatan mo bilang magulang niya."

I watched Tita while she spoke. She was wearing her venice lace dress, her facial expression was unfazed and her uptight bun made her serious posture even more intimidating, which is new. Tita has always been approachable.

"But I do hope you respect that we are now her parents too. And right now, I am telling you this as Cara's parent, just please, do not force Cara. Let her decide this on her own, don't pressure her," she firmly said.

"I understand, Ate Helen. I even arranged a dinner for us so Cara can meet them. She will get to know them first." Dad glanced at me reassuringly.

I smiled at Dad. Alam ni Tita na kailangan ko pa ng panahon para makapag-isip. And honestly, her opinion about this made me calm. Maybe I could just give it a try and get to know them first.

"I will, Dad. I'm willing to get to know them and give it a try."

Kuya Eisen and Kuya Ezra looked at me seriously, tinatantya ang nararamdaman ko kaya tumango ako at nginitian sila.

"Tito, just please make sure that Cara is comfortable around them," si Kuya Ezra.

"Cara can be distant first because she's new to it but please make sure that you bond together so she gets used to it," Kuya Eisen added.

Bigla tuloy nagbabadya ang mga luha ko. They've always been so observant and sensitive of my feelings. I am surely going to miss them...

Dahil sa usapan, nagtapos ang dinner na nagkasundo ang lahat. It is when Saturday came that Kuya Ezra and Kuya Eisen drove me to the restaurant where Dad arranged the dinner with Mandy and her Mom.