THE ARRANGE MARRIAGE (COMPLETED)

(Chapter 22)

Sinalubong sina Zera at Drew ni manang Isabel pagkarating nila sa mansyon ni Don Rafael.

"Don Rafael! Don Rafael! Nandito po si Seniorita Zera!" Sigaw ni Manang Isabel agad agad naman lumabas si Don Rafael.

"Zera hija... What are you doing here...?" Tanong ni Don Rafael at agad na niyakap si Zera.

"Lolo..." Sambit ni Zera na agad napaiyak habang yakap siya ni Don Rafael.

"Shhh... Hush sweetheart... What's wrong...?" Tanong ni Don Rafael habang yakap pa rin si Zera.

"I... I... I... I left him." Sambit ni Zera sa binitawang salita.

"Everything will be OK... In the right time... Soon enough you will heal..." Sambit ni Don Rafael kay Zera.

"Lolo... Can... Can I stay here kahit sandali lang... Hindi na ako maka uwi samin... They are not my family... They didn't even treat me as one." Sambit ni Zera na hindi talaga mapigilan ang umiyak dahil sa sabay sabay na pangyayari.

"I am your family Zera... You have me always remember that. You can Stay here with me for as long as it take. This is yours."Sambit ni Don Rafael.

" Thank you Lolo... Pero si... Si Vladimir... "Sambit ni Zera.

" I will make sure na hindi siya makakapasok sa mansyon hija. If that's what you're worried about... "Sambit ni Don Rafael na nakangiti kay Zera.

" Pero apo niyo siya lolo... Ayoko namang-"Sambit ni Zera pero pinutol agad ng matanda ang sasabihin niya.

" And so are you... At hindi ko kukunsintihin ang pagkakamaling ginawa niya. We need to face the consequences of our action and he's not an exception... "paliwanag ng matanda para mapanatag ang isip ni Zera.

"You're Grandfather is a good man Zera. And I will take care of you like he did... I promised him that, When he was still alive..." Sambit ni Don Rafael.

Nakangiting tinignan ni Zera si Don Rafael with tears in her eyes. Speechless on what she heard.

"Do you want some Ice cream...?" Tanong ni Don Rafael.

Umiiyak man ay napatango na lang si Zera. This old man knows her weakness.

"Good... Manang Isabel samahan mo muna si Zera na kumuha ng ice cream tapos susunod nalang kami ni Drew doon sa Garden." Sambit ni Don Rafael.

"Sige po Don Rafael..." Sambit ni manang Isabel at inakay na si Zera para kumuha ng ice cream.

Nang makaalis ang dalawa ay hinarap ni Don Rafael si Drew.

"Salamat Drew... For always being there for her when my own grandson can't..." Sambit ni Don Rafael kay Drew.

"I love her Don Rafael, And I will do everything for her." Sambit ni Drew na nakatingin sa mata ng matanda. Ilang segundo rin sila nag titigan bago nag salita si Don Rafael.

"I can see that... But Zera have been through a lot... Kung ano man ang magiging desisyon niya ay susuportahan ko... I hope you do the Same..." Sambit ni Don Rafael.

"Mahal ko po si Zera... I want her to be happy..." Sambit ni Drew sa matanda.

"Mabuti naman... Kasi maaring magkaroon ng mga desisyon si Zera para sa sarili niya so that the wounds will heal... Hindi man natin yon maintindihan but that's her way of coping up.." Sambit ni Don Rafael.

"I'm not as selfish as your grandson Don Rafael. Alam ko kung ano ang gusto niyo sabihin. Pero hindi ako humihingi ng kapalit sa pagmamalasakit ko kay Zera." Sambit ni Drew.

"Mabuti't nag kakaintindihan tayo Drew. Tayo na. Hinihintay na tayo ni Zera..." Sambit ni Don Rafael.

Nag tungo na sila sa Garden.