This I Promise You

45

Family

"I couldn't contain my emotion when Evan told us that he finally found you. I immediately planned to go to the Philippines, but he told me to stay in Manila in the meantime because he's not sure when you'll be ready to face us again..." Sambit sa akin ni Mamma.

We were both watching Brandty play in the pool with his Pappa, Tito Kiel, and Tita Rei. It was past noon now, and we just came back after watching the hatching of the green and hawksbill turtles in the ocean.

Si Dad ang nag-arrange noon para kay Brandty dahil alam niyang matutuwa ito, at hindi nga siya nagkamali. My son really loves all kinds of animals. He couldn't contain his excitement as soon as he saw the baby turtles. Gusto niya pa ngang sundan ito sa dagat kung hindi lang siya napigilan ni Evan.

Nakatulog si Brandty pagkabalik namin sa Villa at nang magising ay nagmeryenda muna tapos niyaya na ulit ang Pappa niya na magswimming sa pool. I know hindi lang si Brandty ang sobrang saya dahil kitang kita ko rin ang kagalakan sa mga mukha ng kanyang lolo at grandmama habang pinapanuod ang bawat galaw niya.

This is our fourth and last day here in Amanpulo, and we spent the whole day doing activities that were applicable and enjoyable for Brandty.

"He also told us that you tried to lie to him to hide your identity."

Mamma continued after taking a sip of his watermelon juice. I stared at her for a couple of seconds before smiling and also taking a sip of my mango shake.

"I tried so he would leave me, but I failed. Evan knows everything about me, Mamma. Even the things I didn't know about myself."

Mama smiled at me, then she held my hand that was on the table. I looked at it and smiled at her too.

"I'm so proud of you for being strong and for raising your child alone. It's a very tough thing to do, but you did so well, my princess...And you're not alone now because you have Evan, your first and only love and the father of your beautiful son."

"Tack (Thank you), Mamma."

"I still can't believe that you have your own family now, parang kailan lang noong tinataguan mo pa ako at ang mga royal guards tuwing may ball sa palasyo dahil ayaw mong magsuot ng gown."

Mamma and I both chuckled.

"Your Pappa will be so happy and proud of you. You're more mature now and much braver." Ani Mamma tapos hinaplos ang pisngi ko.

Hinawakan ko naman ang kamay niyang nasa pisngi ko. "And it's all because you and Pappa raised me so well."

Makalipas ang ilang sandali ay umahon na sila Brandty kaya naman natigil na rin ang pagkukuwentuhan namin ni Mamma.

Gusto kong magtanong sa kalagayan ng palasyo pero alam kong hindi ito ang tamang oras para doon. My father-in-law also thought of that because he told us not to think about it and to enjoy our time here on the island first. Pagbalik nalang namin pag-uusapan ang mga susunod na gagawin. Alam ko naman din na desisyon ko nalang ang hinihintay nilang lahat.

"Why don't you spend time with Evan after dinner, darling?" Sambit ni Mamma habang nasa kwarto kami dahil binibihisan ko si Brandty.

Evan and the others were left in the living room.

"What do you mean, Mamma?"

"You know, just the two of you. This is our last night here, and I know Evan wants to be with you too."