Broken Keys (#Wattys2016)

10th KEY

"Alright. I get it. Your dad wants to see me so he could clean up his conscience. Is that it?"

"Aria, why do you have to be so narrow-minded? Can't you understand that he just wanted to be a father to you?" may bahid ng inis sa boses niya.

"Why? You know what I don't get, after all these years of silence, you would just show up all of sudden---without notice---here in our house. And announce that your father wanted to acknowledge me. Why now?" Bakit pa nila sisirain ang pananahimik ng mga buhay namin? Akala ko nga nakalimutan na ng ama ko ang tungkol kay Mom at nagpatuloy na sa buhay niya.

"He has his reasons. But you have to understand, he's still your father. Atleast, consider that. Catherine, our youngest, and Henry, my younger brother, wanted to see you too. We all wanted to meet you. And make you part of our family." I hate his formality. The way he talks like he's ordering me around and every order should not be bent. Or maybe I'm just not used of having a brother.

"Do we have to do the formalities of meeting and greeting each other? Can I just give my word to your father? I don't think it's necessary. But I don't mean to be rude, I'm really just a busy person." Or if I would be honest, I really don't want to meet these high and mighty people. Why don't they just stay in their manor or something?

"My father wants to meet you in person, Aria. So is your mother."

"What?" agad na nag-react si Mom."What do I have to do with it? Aria would be fine alone. That, if she wants to meet her father." Tiningnan ako ni Mom na tila nagtatanong kung gusto ko nga ba talaga.

"You traveled all the way from England just to say this?" tanong ko. Hindi ko alam ang nararamdaman ko. Masyado akong nabigla sa mga pangyayari at hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang magdesisyon ngayon.

"And meet you. I was really delighted Dad chose me to come here and see you. I've always wanted to see you ever since Dad told us about you," he smiled and his youthness showed.

"Since when did you know about me?" I inquired.

"Just a year ago, after Mom's funeral. Dad told us that we have an older sister that we didn't know of. He also told us about his first wife," he glanced at Mom,"And how it didn't work out between them."

Do I really want to meet my father? Matagal ko ng gusto na magkaroon ng tatay pero ngayon na nangyayari na ang gusto ko, may kung anong humihila sakin na huwag ituloy ito.

"Do I have time to think about this?" tanong ko."I'm really not sure if I want to have an extra drama in my life right now. I don't hate him, just so you know. But I'm also not ready to meet him yet."

"Of course, take your time. No rush. I'm certain Dad would understand if it takes a while for you to make up your mind." Nakahinga ako nang maluwag sa sinabi niya.

"Good to hear that. Does that mean you're going back to England?"

"Well, I might linger around for a while before I head home. How long do you think would you make up your decision?"

"I'm vague about it. Probably a long time." Pero mas nangibabaw talaga sakin na ayaw ko pang ma-meet ang ama ko. Hindi pa talaga ako handa.

Napatango-tango siya. I studied his movements and I noticed that for a guy, he was too prim and proper. Too formal. He moved with certainty and gracefulness. He seemed like a guy who would prance around.

"I see. I'll talk to Dad about this and I'll let you know. So, I suppose that's it for today. I sincerely apologize for barging in to your home. But I am deeply delighted to meet the both of you." Tumayo na kami at nakipagkamay sa kanya. This guy seriously need to lose some formality.