Hurricane (Disaster Series #1)

Kabanata 50

This is the last chapter before the epilogue. I will soon be posting 'Wakas' here.

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Hurricane

With all that has happened, I can finally say that my heart is now at peace.

With Tita Ada arrested, Mandy sent abroad, and only our families left to formally tell about our engagement.

At tingin ko, mas mapapadali na nga ang pakikipag-usap ng pamilya namin ngayong kakarating lang ni Mom at Rafaela.

Their flight was unfortunately delayed for a week because of a typhoon kaya medyo natagalan silang makapunta rito. Pero natuon rin naman ngayong plano na namin ni Luci na ipaalam sa kanila ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal.

Can you believe it?

Before, I used to think he irritates me so much.

That his presence is only a disturbance to my calm system.

Well, his presence still is right now. But now, I can name my feelings without feeling afraid of all the risks.

He makes me want to plunge, after all.

Ang nakapaskil na ngiti sa labi ay unti-unting lumiit nang napansin kong kanina pa pala ako pinagmamasdan ng mga tao sa hapag.

We are now having lunch at Tita Helen's house kasama ang bagong dating na sina Mom at Rafaela.

"Are you sure that you will start working at the company on Monday, anak?" Sinuyod ng tingin ni Mom ang ekspresyon ko.

I smiled more, feeling the warmth from it all.

Pagkarating na pagkarating agad nila rito, sinuyod na ni Mom ng tingin ang lahat ng katawan ko. She checked if I had wounds from the accident, na nawala na rin naman. She also kept on asking me if I was okay.

And now, she's checking on how I feel.

Everything about it is actually making me feel so light.

"I'm sure, Mom. I'll be able to handle it just fine," sagot ko nang mas lumala na ang pag-aalala sa eskpresyon niya.

"Right Tita? Nakapagbakasyon na rin naman po ako 'di ba?" baling ko kay Tita Helen dahil tila ayaw 'atang maniwala ni Mom.

"Right, don't worry. Also, I already fixed everything for her at the company so she won't be having any difficulty." Tita Helen smiled at my mother.

Before my Mom could express her relief and thanks to Tita Helen, one househelp went inside the dining room to announce something that earned one awkward silence from us.

"Ma'am, Sir, papasok na po si Sir Oliver."

And there, behind the househelp is my Dad. Malapad ang ngiti niya at magiliw na magiliw kahit pa man inaalalayan rin ng isa pang katulong. At nang inilibot niya ang tingin sa hapag at nadako kay Mom, umawang ang mga labi niya, hudyat ng pagkagulat.

There's no problem about Dad being here. It's just that it's my parents' first time meeting each other after being apart for so many years. So, yes, it's very awkward indeed.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry for coming here uninvited. I just wanted to surprise Cara. I-I guess I should just go back home instead?" Hilaw na ngumiti si Dad, bakas pa rin ang pagkalito sa mukha.

Napasulyap ako sa banda ni Mom para pagmasdan ang ekspresyon nito. She can't seem to look at Dad. Kunot ang noo at nakabaling lamang ang tingin sa mga kubyertos.

Tita Helen let out a laugh that made everything even more awkward. Napatikhim si Tito Gilbert. And the twins, Kuya Eisen and Kuya Ezra let out a big sigh.