Villa Martinez Series #4: So It's You

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-three

Talk

I became busy with mommy because she just had so much plans for us two when I came back. We did shopping and pampered ourselves in the Salon. Hinayaan ko muna si mommy at ang sarili ko para na rin magkaroon kami ng bonding na mag-ina. Pinapatawag din ako ni daddy para makapag-usap na rin kami. So I went to my dad after spending some time with my mom.

"How are you, hija?" kinumusta ako ni daddy.

I smiled and told him how I was doing since I arrived. Pinuntahan ko nalang siya sa bahay nila. He's not yet completely retired from the company pero iyon na ang inaasahan niya seeing na maaasahan na rin naman si Sandro sa pamamalakad ng company. He just want to spend more time with his children he said. Hindi pa naman ganoon katanda si daddy pero kung umakto ito ay mukhang ganoon na.

"I prepared you drinks and this cake, hija." Tita Lana smiled at me kindly as she put the snack in front of me and daddy.

Bahagya rin akong ngumiti sa asawa ni daddy. Months after I left I learned from mommy na legal na naghiwalay na talaga sila ni daddy kaya naman napakasalan na rin ni daddy si Tita Lana. It's just my first time in their home. I was never interested in coming here or meeting my other siblings... Ganoon din naman si Sandro noon.

"Thank you, tita," I told her politely.

Mukhang nahihiya pa si tita kaya agad din muli kami nitong iniwan ni daddy doon sa office ni dad sa bahay nila. Their home wasn't as huge as our mansion. Pero malaki na rin ito at may magaganda rin namang furniture.

"Thank you for coming here, hija." ani daddy. "I didn't expect you'd suggest coming here. We can meet in the office or at home for us to talk."

Umiling ako kay daddy. "Ayos lang po, Dad. Uh, where are they?" And I mean my other two siblings...

Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni daddy. Mukhang natutuwa siya that for the first time I tried asking about his other children. Iniwasan namin ito noon dala na rin ng pagtatampo but now it just all felt like a long time ago and we're all ready to finally face it. "Nasa school pa ang mga kapatid mo, Alecxandra."

Tumango ako. "Uh, how old are they?"

"Alyssa is turning 18 and finishing her senior year in high school. Lena will be 16 this weekend," ani daddy.

"Oh, it's her birthday!"

Daddy nodded. "Yes. And if, uh, you can come... Simple celebration lang naman dito sa bahay at kami kami lang din ng tita Lana mo."

Tumango ako kay daddy at ngumiti. "Sure, Dad. I'll also try to invite Sandro," I said.

Ngumiti rin si daddy.

Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ito ng kapatid ko but the last time we talked he said he's already fine with daddy. At siguro naman ay magiging ayos na rin siya kay Tita Lana at sa dalawa pa naming mga kapatid na babae. So it's just Sandro who's our father's only son. At silang dalawa pa ang madalas na mag-away noon.

"You love Tita Lana, Dad." I said after a while.

Tumingin sa akin si daddy at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Our family was complicated. Both my mom and dad were only forced to marry each other. They had me and Sandro to inherit our family's wealth. Hindi pa sila agad naghiwalay noon because mom wanted to secure our inheritance, and she was a bit bitter... Until she fully gave up. Daddy couldn't stay loyal to their marriage and fell in love for the first time when he met Tita Lana... He still cheated on mommy dahil kasal pa rin sila despite there was no love involved... Being young and with the situation wasn't well enough explained to us, nagalit at nagtampo kami kay daddy. Hanggang kay mommy na rin dahil bakit hinayaan nalang niya si daddy. Especially Sandro, he hated daddy so much that he was a rebel child. He felt betrayed by our father...