A Martial's Query (Saint Series #6)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27
Wrap Up

Days and days more passes. Nanatili ako sa Ireland sa piling ng aking pamilya. Hindi ko rin akalain na darating si Drake kasama ang ama namin days after Daddy's funeral. It was overwhelming being acknowledged by my real father but I just can't seem to celebrate that knowing that the man who raised me just died.

"M-maybe... we can talk some other time?" kinakabahan kong habol sa matandang Alvarez nang lumabas ito sa aming bahay kasama si Drake.

Slowly, he turned around to face me. He didn't talk and just smiled at me genuinely. He then opened his arms sideward for me to run into. Hindi ko pinalampas ang pagkakataon na yon at agad na yumakap sa tunay kong ama.

"I just want you to know that when the door closes, there's another one to open for us," he whispered and kissed my temple. "And I want you to always keep in mind that all I wanted is your comfort."

Matapos ang usapan namin na iyon ni Mr. Alvarez ay tuluyan na rin silang umalis na Drake pabalik ng Pilipinas. I've also learned that he's been going through different medication since then. Nothing more. It's just overwhelming and painful at the same time. The boys went here as well. Ilang araw silang nanggulo rito sa bahay, nitong isang linggo lang sila umalis.

"Hey..."

Mula sa pagpipinta ay napalingon ako kay Kuya. Slowly, he sat beside me and stared at my painting. It was a fountain where we last went to. Where Dad and I saw Konon.

"Kuya," I smiled at him when he handed me a cup of tea.

"Hindi ka pa ba matutulog? Hindi ka ba napagod sa pagpunta natin kanina sa Ring of Kerry?" natatawa nyang tanong. "Yung dalawang bata ay kanina pa masarap ang tulog," he added.

"Hindi ako dinadalaw ng antok," I sighed. "Ang pogi ni Daddy," turo ko sa picture ni Daddy na nasa pader.

"Saan pa ba naman ako magmamana, di ba?" he joked kaya napangiwi kaagad ako.

"Itulog mo na yan, kuya," umiling ako tumayo na. I tapped his shoulders before leaving him inside the art room. Ilang sandali pa akong nanatili sa labas ng kwarto, at nang tuluyan kong narinig ang iyak ni Kuya ay doon na ako umalis.

Dumaan ang ilang linggo. Doon ko napagpasyahan na bumalik sa Pilipinas kasama ang kambal na halos ilang bwan ko ring nakasama sa Ireland. I'm so grateful kasi napakabuti ng puso nilang dalawa. I left their father but they still chose to let me mourn with them. Our bond becomes tighter. And I can't ask for more than this. I can say too that I'm fully healed now from Dad's death.

There's still pain pero bearable sya at gusto ko iyon dahil sign yon ng mga alaala ni Daddy.

"Tatay!" malakas na sigaw ni North nang makita si Chano na naghihintay sa amin sa airport.

"Mga anak kong miss na miss na ni tatay!" masayang masaya na salubong ni Chano sa dalawa at kaagad na niyakap.

I smiled at that view bago ako humakbang palapit sa kanila. Zoe smiled at me genuinely. We held each other's hand and hugged. I even brushed her hair using my fingers.

"I am so happy that you're completely fine now," marahan kong bulong sa kanya. Humiwalay ako sa kanya at chineck ko pa talaga kung may mga sugat pa sya, mabuti naman at wala na.

"Ayos na ayos na ako. Salamat sa concern," marahan nyang sabi at muli akong niyakap. "I'm so sorry about your father."

"Ayos na naman ako," balik ko at kumapit pa sa braso nya bago kami sabay na sumunod sa mag-aama na ngayo'y naglalakad na palabas. "Kumusta kayo ni Chano? May progress na ba?" nakakaloko ko pag tanong sa kanya.