Sweet Surrender (ɢxɢ) ✔️

CHAPTER 31

Puno ng tao ang buong garden kung saan sini-celebrate ang kaarawan ni Papa. Puro negosyante at ilang politicians ang dumalo sa party niya. I can practically smell the power, luxury and privilege wafting over them. It makes me feel like a pauper in my plain white blouse and denim blue pants. Rinig ko sa loob ng mansyon ang malamyos na musika. The whole place was well organized.

Agad kong nakita si Papa nakatayo ilang layo lang mula sa buffet table. He was wearing a bespoke tuxedo with one hand tucked casually in his pocket. Nagdadalawang isip akong lapitan siya o hindi, pero sa huli ay napagdesisyonan kong lapitan na lang upang batiin.

May ilang bisitang nakatingin sakin habang naglakad ako sa kinaroroonan niya, marahil hindi nila inaasahang may anak pala si Papa. I looked exactly like him and they might have guess it right away.

Tumikhim ako ng malakas para agawin ang kanyang atensyon. Shocked written all over his face upon seeing me. His jaw slacked open and his eyes twinkled in happiness. Mukhang hindi niya inaasahang dadalo ako dahil hindi naman talaga ako uma-attend sa alinmang birthday parties nito, ngayon pa lang.

"Mia figlia, you came." tila hindi siya makapaniwala.

"Happy birthday." pormal na bati ko sa kanya. Medyo nakaramdam ako ng ilang dahil pakiramdam ko'y halos nakatingin sa amin ang mga bisita. It kinda felt uncomfortable.

"I must be dreaming." Kumurap-kurap siya ng ilang beses bago lumapit sakin at mahigpit akong niyakap. "Vi ringrazio tanto."

I didn't understand what he said, but I was stunned for what he did. Eto ang unang beses na niyakap niya ako ng ganito. After the incident five years ago, hindi na ako lumapit sa kanya. I never experienced this kind of fatherly hug from him, ngayon pa lang.

"This is a dream come true, anak." rinig kong bulong niya, his voice quivered a bit. "This is the best birthday gift I ever received." 

I can't hold my emotions anymore, tuluyan na akong napa-iyak. I hugged him back. Ganito pala ang feeling mayakap ang isang ama.

"Shhhh, please don't cry Suzaine." pag-aalo ni papa sakin sabay hagod sa likod ko.

"I'm sorry, Pa." pahikbi kong sagot. "I'm sorry if I was too hard on you."

"Mi hija, I should be the who need to apologize." he gently cupped my face. "I'm sorry for what happened last time."

"I forgive you, Pa."

"Thank you so much, hija." muli niya akong niyakap at pagkatapos inakbayan para iharap sa mga bisita. "Everyone, this is my only daughter Suzaine Blythe Bianchi."

Samu't-saring pagbati ang natanggap ko sa mga ito. My heart instantly melted. Tinignan ko si Papa at nakikita kong proud siya ng sabihin 'yon.

"Thanks, Pa." ako na mismo ang unang yumakap sakanya na agad naman niyang tinugon. All the hatred I felt for him vanished.

"How's Sol?" maya't-mayang tanong niya, he was referring to my mother.

"She's doing great, Pa. Nasa probinsya sya ngayon." nakangiting sagot ko.

"I want to talk to her someday. May gusto lang akong sabihin." something flickered on his eyes

"Pa, huwag na. Baka magselos lang si Tita Esther." biro ko.

"No, I just want to apologize to her again. That's all." there was a hint of guilt on his voice.

"Nanay already forgave you, Pa. There's nothing you should be worry about." assure ko.

"Did she used the farm we bought for her?"

"Farm?" bahagyang nag salubong ang kilay ko.

"Theia haven't told you yet?"