Chaos in the Cavity of Peace (Love in Mendiola Series #1)

Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

KEECIA

"Got room for one more?" I called out, my voice trembling.

Everyone in my family turned in my direction, their eyes widening in surprise as they realized I was here. They hadn't noticed me arrive earlier because they were all busy packing bags and loading them into the car.

There was a moment of silence, tension hanging thick in the air as nobody moved, disbelief written across their faces. Then, as if everything happened in slow motion, they dropped what they were doing and rushed towards me.

"Ciacia!" mangiyak-ngiyak na sambit ni mommy nang dambahin ako ng yakap.

Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko nang yakapin ko siya pabalik. "Mom..."

"Oh, we missed you so much, my dear..." She pulled away slightly, cupping my face in her hands. "We are so sorry for everything, anak. We never meant to hurt you. Mahal na mahal ka namin..."

I nodded, unable to speak as my throat tightened. I just stared into her eyes and when I saw love and regret shining through, something inside me softened. "I know," I whispered.

Tuluyang naiyak si mommy at muli akong niyakap nang mahigpit. Lumapit na rin si dad sa amin at sumali sa yakapan.

"Dad..." tawag ko.

Humiwalay si mommy para bigyan kaming dalawa ng space. Dad then walked over and stood in front of me.

"I'm sorry, anak..." he began, his voice heavy with remorse as he reached out to me. "I take full responsibility for everything. Just like your mom said, hindi namin intensyong saktan ka. Mahal na mahal ka namin kaya nadala kami sa takot na mawala ka samin nang tuluyan, but you were right... there's no excuse for what we did. You had every right to know, at pinagsisisihan namin ang lahat. Alam kong hindi sapat ito dahil malaki ang naging kasalanan namin sayo, pero sana mapatawad mo kami... Please, tell me what else I can do to make amends. I'll do everything in my power to earn your forgiveness..."

"I forgive you, dad," I replied softly, gently squeezing his hands. "I mean, all of you..." I added, glancing at the rest of my family. "I've had a lot of time to think these past few months... I understand now why you did what you did. You were trying to protect me. You never meant any harm... I see that now... Kaya pinapatawad ko na po kayo sa lahat."

I paused, feeling a rush of shame as I glanced down, struggling to compose myself.

"Patawarin niyo rin po sana ako sa nagawa ko..." I continued, gathering my courage to look back up, releasing a shaky sigh. "I know I caused you all to worry when I shut you out—"

"No, your reaction was valid," Ahia chimed in. "We were in the wrong. You had every right to be angry at us, Ciacia."