A Mere Percent

Percent 38 - Conciliation

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Percent 38 - Conciliation

Pagkamulat ng mga mata ko ay may narinig akong kumakatok sa pintuan ko.

"Lavine? Breakfast's ready? They'll be here any minute from now." Paalala sa akin ni Kuya.

"Okay, Kuya. Susunod ako."

Tumango si Kuya at sinarado na ang pintuan. Pagkatayo ko ay dumiretso ako sa banyo para maligo. Nagbihis agad ako pagkatapos ng isang silver sleeveless top at black pencil-cut skirt. I wore my black flat ballerina shoes.

Lumabas na din ako sa room ko pagkatapos kong magbihis at dumiretso na sa kitchen. Nakita ko doon si Kuya Ivan na may kasamang isang babae at isang lalaki. May kasama silang bodyguards na naka-black at nakacoat- -and-tie.

Impossible. This is insane! I can't believe it.

Totoo nga ang sinabi ni Kuya. They're alive. My parents are here after 10 years of believing that they're gone.. I saw them again. They're here!

This time nakaharap at nakatayo na silang dalawa. Nakatingin sila sa akin.

Hindi ko alam kung tatakbo na ako at yayakapin sila o tatayo lang ako dito at titigan sila.

But I did the latter. Sila mismo ang lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako. I still can't believe it. All this time, they're alive. I hugged them really tightly. Gosh, I missed the both of them too much! Ang lahat ng galit ko ay nawala na parang bula.

"Mom, Dad.. I miss you two! Where have you been?" I said in between my falling tears for the longing and missing both of them.

"I'm so sorry, Lavine. But we have to do it. For the safety of you two. We love you both. So, the sacrifice is not in vain." My father said. My mother just hugged me tightly and also cries in joy. While Kuya Ivan is standing there in the corner. He's smiling.

I thought I can't see them again. But look at all of these happening right here, right now.. They're still alive.. They're safe and sound. I'm so glad that I got the chance to see them personally. Their warm hugs and longing tears. I missed it.

"Louie, did you tell your sister about the social status and secrets related to our family?" My Dad questioned my brother. My brother then shooked his head.

Social Status? Eh?

My father looked at me again and deep sigh. "Well, this is now the time that we have to tell you our family's secret. Are you ready to know these things, Lavine?"

Nakakabahan naman ako sa sasabihin ni Dad. I guess, I'm ready for this. I have to be. No running away from the truth.

"Yes, I'm ready." I answered truthfully.

"Our family came from France. From the town of the East. It's called Land of Aethelstan or Aethelstan Palace. We are an independent kingdom. You two, Louie and Irelia are both heirs to the throne. You're our precious children to follow our footsteps. We're really sorry for keepig this away from you for a long time." My mom said and wiped her tears with her handkerchief.

I blinked my eyes for a couple of times. Is this an imagination or just a dream or what? This is way too impossible.

"What? Then I'm a princess? This can't be! I'm just a freaking commoner! I'm not a heir or rather a heiress. This is impossible, Mom. I-I just can't process this things in mind right now. This is all so sudden and absurd. Why? This is so not true. Impossible." Naguguluhan ako. I'm a COMMONER, not a PRINCESS. That's the real me! This is way complicated!

"We know you're still shocked. But that's the truth. We did brought a proof.. It's your real birth certificate." May ibinigay si Dad sa akin na isang pirasong papel na may stamp ng sinabi ni Mom na Aethelstan Palace at may karugtong na Private Property. My real name.. I really can't believe it!

"So, the one I'm using when I'm in the Philippines was all fake? How did you? How come? I have so many questions to ask. I can't believe these things are happening to me right now.." I'm really puzzled..

"Believe it. You're our precious daughter and our princess.." Sabi ni Dad.

Tinignan ko si Kuya Ivan na nakatingin na sa akin. I'm asking for his help to explain things to me but he just raised his shoulders that means that our parents themselves can answer those questions.

"Okay. I need time to think about this. Will you let me?" I asked my parents for their approval.

"Of course." They both agreed. Phew! Akala ko hindi nila ako papayagan..

"We're next door. Our suite. Call us if you need anything." Mom said.

Tumango ako. Sabay na kaming naglakad papunta sa pintuan para ihatid si Dad at Mom. I waved my hand and smiled.

When the door's closed, sinuntok ko si Kuya sa kanyang braso.. Akala niya, ha!

"Ouch! It hurts!" Reklamo nito.

"That's what you get for not telling me the truth." Mataray kong sabi.

"Sinasabi ko sa'yo pero hindi ka nakikinig kaya kasalanan mo 'yan, baby sis." Ani Kuya.

"Ewan ko sa'yo, big bro! I hate you!" Tumakbo agad ako sa kwarto ko at ini-lock ang pinto. I need time to think. To let it all sink in. I need to do it.

Humiga ako sa kama ko. Matulog nalang kaya ako? Maaga pa naman. Tama. Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko at nakatulog na. Napabalikwas na lang ako ng bangon nang may kumakatok sa pinto ko.. Narinig ko doon ang boses ni Mom at Dad.

"Irelia, lumabas ka na diyan. We're going somewhere.." Ani Mom. Tinawag niya ako same totoo kong pangalan. Hindi pa ako sanay na tinatawag na ganyan. Nasanay ako na 'LAVINE' ang tawag nila sa akin which was not my real name..

"Coming! Wait!" Sabi ko. Nagmamadali na akong pumasok sa banyo. I washed my face. Pinunasan ko na ito ng towel. Lumabas na sa banyo at dumiretso sa harap ng salamin. Naglagay ako ng powder, eyeliner at lip balm. I'm good to go. Ini-unlock ko na ang pinto ko.

Nakita kong nakaupo si Mom at Dad sa sofa. Si Kuya naman ay nasa kitchen umiinom ng tubig.

"Where are we going?" I asked them. Eyeing Kuya Ivan especially.

"No questions, missy! We're late." Ani Kuya Ivan. Nagmamadali na itong pumunta sa akin.

"Uh. Okay. Let's go, then." Sabi ko nalang.

Sumunod na akong lumabas kasunod so Kuya, Mom at Dad. May mga bodyguards pa rin. Nakasunod sila sa amin. I'm not used to this. I'm not still quite convinced that I'm a princess.. Tss.

Nakarating kami sa underground parking ng hotel na tinutuluyan namin.

Nakahanda na ang isang black Audi Q5. Pinagbuksan kami ng pinto ng isang bodyguard. Nauna naman akong pumasok. Sumunod si Kuya at Mom. Si Dad ay nasa front seat. Paalis na ang sasakyan. May nakasunod sa amin ang isang Mercedes Benz na kulay itim din.

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala! Ganito ba palagi ang ginagawa kay Ezreal/Trey? Ang hirap naman na ganito.. Every move ay may nagbabantay. Nakakastress.

Hindi ko na namalayan na nakarating na pala kami sa pupuntahan daw namin. Naunang bumaba si Dad, Mom, Kuya at ako ang huli. Nakarating kami sa isang mala-palasyong bahay.

What is this?

"Welcome to Aethelstan Palace! You'll be staying here starting from now onwards." My mom said.

Huh? Ano daw? I'm staying here?

Aethelstan Palace? Are you kidding me?

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Thank you for reading! ^_^

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