Promises are Meant to be Broken

Chapter 08

"Ma, nakita mo po iyong batang paslit?" I asked Mom because I can't see Ace everywhere in the house. Umuwi na ba siya sa Manila?

Almost one-week na kaming nandito sa bahay. I don't want to get back yet. And seems like Ace enjoying his stay here.

"I think he go outside. Nandiyan lang iyon, anak. Hindi ka naman iiwan ni Race," tugon ni Mama na ikinatigil ko sa paglalakad papuntang labas. Nang lingunin ko siya ay nginitian niya lang ako.

Life is confusing me right now.

I was about to go out when I saw Ivan opening the gate. Kumaway kaagad siya nang makita ako at nagmadaling tumakbo papalapit sa akin.

"Brielle!" Tuwang-tuwa niyang bati sa akin at pagkatapos ay niyakap ako.

"Hi? What are you doing here?" I curiously asked.

"We just wanted to visit you. Tito Haven is here, right?" I nodded as a response, and he let go of me.

"Wait, we?" Taka kong tanong nang mapagtanto ang sinabi niya.

"Yeah, he really wanted to see you," my forehead creased. "But someone caught his attention."

Magtatanong pa sana ako nang maglakad siya papasok sa loob ng bahay. Susundan ko na sana siya nang marinig ko ang boses niya.

"You really wanted to study again? Or maybe, you just wanted to be with my granddaughter?" My eyes widened when I saw my grandfather talking to Ace. Naka-akbay si lolo sa kaniya at parang seryoso sa kanilang pinag-uusapan.

"I really wanted to be an engineer, sir. About Alana Brielle..." his words cut when he glances at my direction. And he gave me a reassuring smile.

"L-lolo..." kinabahan ako nang makaharap siya.

"Alana Brielle," tinapik niya pa muna ang balikat ni Ace bago siya naglakad papalapit sa akin. I gulped when he hugs me. "How was my granddaughter?"

"I-I'm fine, grandfather." I answered and almost stuttered.

I'm not that close to him but he always visits us to check our condition. And every time I always see him; I can't help but to get nervous even though he didn't do anything. My grandfather is kind. He really likes to see me.

He let go of me. "I'm glad that you're fine." He started to caress my hair while smiling at me. "Thank you for... fighting for my son, apo."

I blinked and stilled in front of him. Naramdaman ko ang pangingilid ng luha ko. I was just staring at him when I feel one drop of tear let go of my eye. I was about to wipe it when my grandfather cupped my cheeks and started to wipe my tears.

I genuinely smile at him even though my eyes started to get blurred. "Papa fight for my life... I just do the same thing that he does. I love him po, lolo."

"I'm so proud of my son that he raises a fighter like you, Alana Brielle," he patted my head with a wide smile on his face. I never knew that talking to him will remove something heavy inside of my chest. He's like the old version of my father.

"Pa," I smile when I heard my father's voice. I turned around to face him. He's having a bright smile on his face. "Oh? Why are you crying, Alana Brielle? Papa?" I chuckle when he glances at his father. He looked at him having a questioning look.

"We're just having some deep talk, Haven," lolo chuckles. "Don't get me wrong. I never hurt someone's feeling, especially to our family. I'm just glad that you and your wife raising a woman like this." Mas lalo pang lumapad ang ngiti ko dahil sa sinabi ni lolo. He even patted my shoulder.

"I just follow what you always said to me, Papa." My father started to walk towards us. "You're the reason why I learned on how to be a man to my family. Especially, for being a father to my beautiful daughter," I scrunched my nose when Papa ruffled my hair.