Mine Forevermore

Kabanata 41

Kabanata 41

Betrayal

"Ang Ama mo ay kasalukuyan nasa labas ng bansa ngayon para sa isang conference."

"Hindi ko po tinatanong, Nanang." Malamig na sabi ko ng makababa at handa ng umalis para pumasok sa klase.

Rinig ko ang marahas na buntong hininga nito. "Ang babaeng dala ng Ama mo ay ipinakilala niya sa amin bilang fiancee."

My head immediately snapped on her way. "A what? Are you kidding me?" Bulalas ko.

Napabuntong hininga siya ulit. "Hindi ako nagbibiro. Ipinatawag niya kaming lahat dito kahapon upang I-anunsyo iyon. Wala ka kahapon kaya hindi mo alam."

My lips remained parted as I looked at my Nanang. I couldn't believe it. But then I thought, my father never care if I insulted his woman but yesterday he look furious about it that he even slapped me!

Well...I've wanted this for him for a long time now but now that's it's actually happening, I'm in shock. It didn't even occur to me that the woman is already his fiancee!

I feel ashamed. I had the thought that when my father one day introduce me his chosen wife it would be in a better circumstances not in such situation.

I ought to present myself better than that. What was she thinks though after knowing how rude I am? And what about my father? did she have a negative opinion of my father after he slapped me and say those things? I hope not.

Napabuntong hininga ako at unti unting nanlumo. "I'm sorry, Nanang. I had no idea. I was drunk last night and it made me lose control."

"Ayos lang, hija. Nagulat ako sa mga sinabi mo ngunit hindi ko maipagkakaila na nagustuhan ko ang pagtapat mo sa Ama mo sa tunay mong nararamdaman."

My lips parted.

"Sa tingin ko ay malaki ang naging epekto nito sa kanya. Sana ay maging simula ito upang mas maging maayos ang pagsasamahan ninyo bilang mag-ama."

Napabuntong hininga ako at tumango.

"Hindi ko man sinasabi ngunit gusto ko din na makahanap siya ng babaeng para sa kanya. Ilang taon kong hinintay ang pagkakataong ito. At masaya ako na malaman na mayroong bagong babae sa buhay niya. Sana maging tulay ito upang magbago siya kasama ang babaeng napili niya."

Lumapit si Nanang sa akin at niyakap ako saka tinapik ang likod ko.

"Pasensya kana sa Ama mo kung naging malupit siya sayo. Hindi niya man sinasabi ng harap harapan ngunit alam ko kung gaano ka niya kamahal, Nasia. Simula ng dumating ka sa buhay niya, ikaw na ang nagsilbi niyang kayamanan na hinding hindi niya kayang ipagpalit sa kahit na ano mang yaman sa mundo."

Tumulo ang mga luha sa mga mata ko habang niyakap pabalik si Nanang. Patuloy akong lumuha sa kanyang bisig habang inaalo niya ako.

In the back of my mind, I know that my father loves me, it's just that we mostly couldn't get along and understand each other, and it made us lead to most of our fights. When a fight breaks out between the two of us, neither one of us will let go since we both hold great pride and have our own different reason for wanting to fight.

We mostly disagreed because neither of us wants to appear weak. We both cold and impassive, reason why we often clashed. But if one of us back down, the other one will follow suit. Reason why that night, he gave up the moment I expressed myself and cried. He did not fight back, instead, he stayed mute while I proceeded to air my complaints.

After that day, I had planned on speaking with my father personally to resolve our own issue. I also intended on having a dinner with him and his fiancee to express my apology and joy at their engagement. I want to have a fresh start with my father and let him know I'll wait till he acknowledge Appolo as the love of my life.