You All Over Me ('La Magie' Book 2)

Portrait

Bong's POV

After seeing Sandro and Sara on TV, I quickly stood up and walked to the main hall.

Nabadtrip kasi talaga ako sa pagdikit dikit ng anak ko kay Sara.

Since it was still too early to leave, naisipan kong maglakad lakad na muna.

While I was walking down the hallway, my dad's portrait caught my attention.

For some reason, kahit ilang beses ko ng nakita yun doon, that day, it felt like something draw me to that portrait.

Di ko din alam kung anong nangyayari sa akin but I felt like all the emotions I kept inside since my father left us suddenly exploded.

I had an outburst of emotions.

And as I was looking at his portrait, I started crying.

Para bang bumalik sa akin lahat ng hirap na dinanas ng pamilya namin.

We were betrayed by the people we trusted the most, exiled, humiliated and all the bad things you could imagine ginawa na nila sa amin.

And now finally, the time has come na kaya ko ng mapatunayan sa kanila na mali sila.

All we ever did as a family was to love the country.

Especially my dad.

Pero grabe yung pagdurusang isinukli sa amin.

As the only son, nung nawala ang dad namin, ako na din ang tumayong padre de pamilya.

Definitely not easy for a young man who's just starting to build a life for himself.

Ilang taon din ang tiniis ko at ng aking pamilya para makarating sa araw na to.

When I thought of that, I talked to my Dad's portrait as if he was in front of me.

"Look Dad.. I made it! I'm finally following your footsteps."

Pagkasabi ko nun, mas lalo pa akong napaiyak.

Para akong bata na nagsusumbong sa tatay.

I still miss him.

Everyday.

I was crying my heart out when I felt someone touch my shoulder.

It was my younger sister Irene.

"Bonget, why are you crying ba? You're like a baby. Can you cut it out? Gusot na yang barong mo oh. Teka ayusin natin"

When I saw Irene, napatigil na din ako sa pag iyak.

As the older brother and the head of the family, hindi ako pwedeng makita ng mga kapatid ko na pinanghihinaan ng loob at umiiyak.

It's a tough job pero ganun talaga siguro.

Then I spoke

"Salamat Ading! Ah wala namimiss ko lang si Dad. I just wish he was here to watch us redeem his name"

Sabi ko sabay punas sa mga luha ko.

"Ah yun ba? Don't worry bonget, I know he's very proud of the man you've become. Mabait, mapagmahal sa pamilya, loyal sa asawa, lahat lahat na and I want to thank you for not giving up. I know it was a difficult journey but hey, you're finally here. Besides, di ka naman siguro gagawa ng katarantaduhan na ikasisira ng pamilya natin no? I mean I'm sure you won't pero kung sakali mang may balak ka, think about mom. Look at her, she's so happy and proud right now"

Sabi ni Irene sa akin sabay turo sa mommy namin na masayang masayang tinitingnan ang damit niya sa salamin.

When I saw the sparkle in my mother's eyes, bigla akong natigilan.