Let Me Hear (Let Me Series)

Special Chapter 4

Special Chapter 4 – Millarca's Departure

"How sure you are with your plan, ate?" tanong ni Kai sa akin.

I let out a chuckled. "I'm a hundred percent sure! Wala nang urungan 'to. I've been thinking about this for so long. I think this is the best time to do this since I wanted to start anew. Don't you think I needed it, do you?"

Agad na umiling ang kapatid ko. "Hindi, ate. I think you deserved this. I know what you've been through and so far, you've done a lot for our family. It's time for you to take care of yourself. You don't have to worry about us—or anyone in here, look after yourself. That should be your main focus now."

"I don't know where did you get that kind of wisdom, but I wanted to hear more of those from you, Kai." Tawa ko pa. "Anyway, give me a hug."

"Of course," he said. He reached his arms out and gave me the best tight hug. "Just so you know, if you ever encountered someone like Weston, tell me and I'll go punch the face of that guy."

I parted away from him. Bahagya ko siyang pinalo sa balikat at pinandilatan. "You don't actually have to do that, right?"

He shrugged off. "Malay natin, ate."

"Well, if that happens, I'm sure I can already handle myself. Gaya nga ng sabi mo, I've been through worse and those things made me who I am na. Sa tanda kong 'to, hindi na 'to sumusuko 'no. What happened in the past years made me realize how lucky I am to have a family like you so if I wanted someone to be part of this family, you guys should know about it and you know what, I needed that hearing aid of yours in case some little betrayals happened again."

He laughed when I said that. "You could bring my old one though. But I believe no one will betray you anymore, just don't let them hurt you."

"I wouldn't let them do that. Natauhan na ako."

"You know what, ate. Bilib talaga ako sa katapangan mo. You've been through so much. I've got to witness some of your pain and happiness. Those people who have hurt you don't deserve you at all. But you deserve to be free and to be happy and to find someone who truly loves you."

Napangisi si ate sa huli kong sinabi. "Thank you for the kind words, Kai. But I don't think I'll be able to do what you said on the latter part. I don't think it's my priority na. Hindi ko naman kailangang maghabol at maghanap talaga ng taong mamahalin ako. It's okay for me to be happy at may healthy life. That's for sure ang hahabulin ko... but someone who can make me happy? I don't think so. Kusa naman 'yan silang dumarating and if hindi dumating then it's fine. Pana-panahon lang din 'yan."

"I'm just so sad you have to leave but at the same time I'm happy for you."

Natawa naman ito. "Kahit ako naman. I don't want to go, but this has been in my head for years na rin. Para bang atras abante lang din ako sa mga plano ko sa buhay. I know I had a big responsibility sa hotel and restaurant natin pero ayokong hanggang doon na lang umikot ang buhay ko. I know they are expecting me to carry it over hanggang sa pagtanda ko. Maybe I would do it pero at this moment, bibitawan ko muna siya. I can't be free if something wouldn't let me go."

"Naalala ko na naman tuloy 'yong panahon na ayaw nila akong bigyan ng posisyon sa company natin because of my condition. And when I've got my own business, Dad offered me a position which I politely declined since I have to focus on my priorities and that's my own business and my family."

"I'm happy you found your special someone, Kai..."

"I don't think I've found her," sagot ko. "I think she found me. If she didn't get in my room that day bringing some frozen yogurt her mom promised to bring to me, we wouldn't be able to know each other. Maybe destiny brings us together."

"Destiny, fate, o kung ano man ang tawag diyan, people always find a way to each other kahit gaano pa kahirap 'yan. If it's about love, people would do anything for it. We just cannot give up if it's worth fighting for, but my fight here in the Philippines is over so I have to move across the country to start a new beginning. So, I'm gonna start a new fight with life... with absolutely nothing but myself."

Hindi ko naman napigilan at niyakap ko na si ate. "I hope you'll be happy there in Canada. I hope you'll find what you were looking for."

Hinagod naman nito ang likod ko. "And I hope you'll be okay here. Don't be scared coming to our parents and ask for help, ha?" Bahagya siyang umalis sa pagkayayap sa akin. "I may not be here to help, but they always can, alright? Minsan, iintindihin mo na lang talaga sila since they were busy, too. But enjoy life with your family and Matmat. Cherish every moment you have with your family. That's all I'm asking, Kai."

I nodded. "I'm gonna do that. Thanks, ate."

"No, problem." Ginulo niya rin ang buhok. "Ang drama mo pala talaga, Kai, 'no?"

Natawa na lang din ako sa sinabi niya. We just continued packing her things up. Because the next day, my sister, Millarca Foyer flew to Quebec, Canada to start a new life there. I may not know what kind of life awaits her there, but I believe she's gonna make it.

Nag-promise naman kami sa kanya na bibistahin namin siya ro'n once everything is settled, but then she said, you can visit me after two years or so. And that was too long for us to wait, but we believe in her. We can always talk to her through chat, call, and video... moreover, she's going to start everything there.

A blank slate for my sister, a new journey for her.