Long Lost Daughter

Chapter 6

Irene

I was on my bed when the telephone rang, I wonder who's this. It took me awhile before I answered the call because it's unknown.

"Hello, who's this?" I asked right away, I heard that the voice on the other line sighed.

"Hello po? C-can I speak with Ms. I-Irene Araneta?"

The voice is from a teenage lady and she's looking for me.

"Hi, speaking.." I replied, "May I know who's this?" I added.

"U-um hi po, Si Isabelle Dy po ito. We met in Paoay Church po.." She replied that surprised me,

How can I ever forget, Of course!

"Oh yes, of course. Isabelle, I remember you. Hi hija." I said joyfully, we were talked about my offer to her and she told me that she cannot make it because she don't have a relative to live with.

Honestly, I did think of this before offering her the opportunity. I'd be happy if she live with us in our house in Forbes, Makati.

Actually, I solemnly want to adopt Isabelle because I have a strange feeling towards her. In that one day, I already saw her as my daughter and although, we just met but it felt like I have known her for years. I want to get to know her more and the only way for that is us being in the same roof, so I suggested, actually I asked her to live with me and Greggy, she was shy at first but I'm glad that she accepted my offer.

I also offered her a ride to Manila so I could assure myself that she'll get there safe, I insisted for it. I don't know why but all I want now is to be with her. I can see my Samantha Celestine in her and I know this is crazy but  please good God, let her be my Celestine.

I know it's quite impossible, but I'm really hoping and praying that she is her, I don't want to be heart-broken again but for now that I'm still not sure about it, I'll just keep it myself first before I tell Greggy and make a move, I want to see evidences first before I start anything.

Apparently, we ended the call because someone knocked on her door, I told her that I'm really hoping that Sister Anabelle and Sister Theressa would allow her to go with me and right after that phone call, I decided to go to Celestine's old room, I looked at our photo frames placed on the wall.

Not a day would pass that I wouldn't think of her nor don't miss her. Like what I always do, I decided to write a letter for Celestine.

To mommy's star,

Hi baby, please visit me in my dreams again. It's your first time to visit me in my dreams after so many years, please give us a sign on where we could find you. I really want to hug you badly, anak. Honestly sweetheart, mommy's tired of crying but it doesn't mean that we'll give up.

Until now, I'm still full of hope that one day, you'll appear infront of me and said "Mommy, no more pain and suffering now. I'm here na.", our house had never been a home again since the day that we lose you.

Sorry if we left Philippines and we let the private investigator to take in-charged in finding you. Mommy and Daddy just needed to heal to continue our lives, please my love, hug me in my dreams.

With all my love,
Mommy

I kissed the the paper before putting it inside the envelope, I decided to go to my room and put the letter in the box where all my letters for her are inside, I promised myself that someday if we already find Celestine, I'll give her these letters I made for her to let her know that all those years I didn't forget about her, after that, I went downstairs and only Bonget was the only person there.

I think everyone else are resting.

When he saw me, I smiled at him lightly.

"Irene.." He called my attention, I immediately walked towards him.

"Are you okay? You look bothered.." He added, I smiled confiding that I'm okay and there's nothing to worry about.

"Yes, oo naman okay lang ako, pagod lang ata." I told him and smile faintly, mas lumapit siya saakin.

"Irene, kapatid mo 'ko. Alam ko kung may mali at kung may problema ka. Anong nangyari?" He asked softly, I shook my head.

"Manong, I'm okay, I swear." I said, I hold his hand and squeeze it to reassure him.

"You miss her?" He asked once again and hold my hand, my tears were starting to form as he caressed my back for comfort.

"Not a day would pass that I didn't miss her, kuya." I uttered, I can't hide tge pain anymore that my tears cascade through my cheeks already.

"I miss my little angel, she was my source of happiness during my tiring hours, my light in my darkest days, I failed to protect my precious star." I said while crying silently, Bonget hugged me as he continue to caress my back to make me calm.

"We'll find her, Irene. You'll be with Celestine again, the soonest as possible, we will do our best to find her, I promise you that." He assured me, I hugged him tightly.

...

Bongbong

I just came from the kitchen, when I heard someone heading down from upstairs. It's Irene and she looks pale and weak, I had enough seeing my sister in pain kaya't ayaw na ayaw kong nakikita siyang ganito.

I asked her if she's okay, she told me she is but I can feel that she's not, I'm her brother and eventhough she denies it a couple of times, I know she's not okay and the only thing that can make her not okay is the missing gem in our family.

Samantha Celestine, the only princess in our family, we usually call her the heiress of Mama Meldy's shoes, the one and only girl, the unica hija but she got lost. I think this is the reason why her eyes are puffy and sad, I was perceived that she does cry everyday longing for her daughter.

I was right, she missed Celestine. I've witnessed how she suffered when Celestine got lost, how she wouldn't go out of their room, how hard to asked her to eat, how she was traumatized by the tragedy that has happened, how she doesn't want to talk to any of us and how she cried infront of God and ask him why do he have to let this happen.

It was hard for Irene to leave the Philippines and live for awhile in California, she wants to take all in-charge in finding Celestine, nevertheless, she didn't do anything about it because Mama Meldy pleaded her to go and forget all the problems for awhile, Mama Meldy also assured her that we will take all in-charge in finding Celestine.

Our mother hired more than fifteen private investigators to find Celestine in different cities and provinces of the Philippines, yet no Celestine was found, we didn't let the search end and up until now we are still hoping that we could still find Celestine. I caressed her back while she was crying, I hugged her when she started to state that she failed to protect Celestine which is not her fault of course, no one wanted to happen and none expected this.

"Good God, let Irene's pain & suffering be worth it. Give her a chance to be with her daughter, give us a sign on where we could find her. I pity my sister so much, please." I said in my mind while I'm hugging my sister, After minutes of her crying, I made her calmed, finally, I told her that someday everything will be okay.

"Thank you, Manong." She said while wiping her tears.

"All for you, Irene. Take a rest again. You're tired." I told her, she nodded and I told her to drink a water first before she head to her room, which she obliged right away.

To be continue..
Sorry for the wrong grammars and misspelled words.