Scent Of Consanguinity (Book 1 of Scent Trilogy)

Kapitulo 32

After I got emotional to our father and daughter dance, I still didn't stop crying when my father begin his speech. Inabutan na nga ako ng panyo ni Kuya Jham na may halong pang-aasar habang nakaupo ako na mala-reyna. Tumabi pa ng upo sa akin ang bunso kong kapatid kaya kinukuhanan na siya ng litrato ni Rhealyn. She finds my younger brother cute again.

"I didn't prepare for this speech... may ganito pala?" Tumatawa pa si Captain. Ni wala nga siyang hawak na papel. Talagang hindi niya alam. Nagulat pa nga siya nang tinawag siya ng host "Ladies and gentlemen, char!"

Naiiyak akong tumatawa kay Papa. Tinatawanan na kasi siya ng buong guest.

"Thank you all for coming to my daughter's eighteen birthday... and being part of this important event. I know this is a special day for her... even though she reminded us that her birthday is not so special comparing to her dream profession."

Shit, he's exposing me again!

"At the time my daughter told us not to make her debut a grand birthday party... because she just want us to give her... her needs and that her course, biology, is much more important than having a party once, that family dinner is just alright. And that time I just answered, 'okay, mi amore...' but actually, we prepared all of this for her... she deserves this and more than this..."

"Tito, pwede ba mag filipino ka na lang muna?" Sabat ni Chin. Tinawanan naman siya ng mga pinsan namin. "Sorry, Tito. Wala ka sa airlines!"

Tumawa lang si Papa dahil sa sinabi ni Chin at nagpatuloy na. "Oh! I forgot to formally introduce myself. I am Zander Allena. A Pilot Captain. I am the father of this woman... I'm still trying to figure out my own title." Mahinang tumawa na si Papa. "Just kidding! Because you know, sometimes, she's not helpful! She calls me 'Captain' and there is also a times when she calls me 'pare'. Grabe diba?"

Napatawa ang lahat kay Papa. Tinuturo pa ako ni Ymee habang tumatawa siya. Ipapamukha na naman sa akin kung gaano ako ka gaga!

"So, I'm really having a difficult time. Please, Tulong!" Pagbibiro pa ni Papa kaya napairap ako sa kanya kunwari. "Okay, enough about me. My second thank you comes to my wife, Mrs. Lugen Cuerda Allena. For always reminding me to do the things I forgot. And for being a great mother and a perfect wife to me. I love you so much, baby... and Happiest Sixteenth Wedding Anniversary to us!"

Napatingin ako kay Mama. Mukha siyang nahihiya na kinukurot ni Ymee sa tabi niya. Inaasar nilang dalawa ni Tita Achi si Mama. Si Mama naman naging emosyonal na kaagad kagaya kanina. Kinasal lang naman sila noon nang mag dalawang taon ako.

"My third thank you comes to my families, my lovable parents, my ever-supportive siblings, to my beautiful sister-in-laws, my not so stubborn sons, Junilo, Vinzent, and Matthew, and to all of my sometimes-a-jerk nephews and genuinely respected nieces, you guys are so adorable! Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi magiging kompleto ang lahat ng 'to." Napasinghap si Papa at tinaas ang hawak na glass of wine. " La Famille Avant Tout! Pang habangbuhay na inuman, Allena!"

My cousins are clapping their hands except to my brother, Vince. Mayabang siyang nakahawak sa dibdib niya na akala mo siya ang pinapalakpakan. Nakatikim tuloy siya ng batok kay Rabella.

"Jerk daw..." Malakas ang boses ni Lyrel na pumapalakpak.

"And also a heartful thank you to my daughter, for existing as a wonderful and respected woman. To her lovable friends, thank you for coming. Nicolette, thank you for being my daughter's and nieces' amazing friend over the years, You are so important to the Allena family."