Mine Forevermore

Kabanata 45

Kabanata 45

Never

My daughter had her first birthday in Spain. My family relatives were present, and some in our neighborhood were invited by my mother as well, which make enough noise to filled the house with joy and laughter.

"Your father wants you to go home." Tita said while looking at my daughter while playing with other kids.

I sighed. "I'm not yet sure, Tita. I want to see Daddy too but the atmosphere here is way better than home."

"Kung ganun, wala ka ng balak umuwi?" Nangunot na tanong ni Tita.

"Uuwi din naman po. But only for vacation and also to spend time with dad." Sinulyapan ko si Amara. "I want my daughter to meet my friends and family. Hindi ko iyon ipagkakait sa anak ko."

Napabuntong hininga si Tita Auster.

"So you're planning to settle down here?" Tita concluded.

I bit my lip. "I also want to go home, Tita, but a part of me tells me to live here for good. I feel that it would be better for Amara to... stay here."

This place is peaceful for me. Malayo sa away, gulo, sa tsismis, sa mga taong mapang husga at walang ibang ginawa kundi ang mangialam sa buhay ng iba.

"O baka naman may iniiwasan ka kaya ayaw mo ng umuwi?" Singit ni Flor ng marinig ang usapan namin ni Tita.

Halos napasinghap ako duon.

"Flor, iniisip ko kung anong mas makabubuti para sa amin ni Amara. Home is just too... chaotic for me. Ayaw ko ng ganuong environment para sa anak ko."

"Pero hija, paano ang negosyo ng Daddy mo kung ganun? Ikaw ang magmamana ng Alvarez Corporation. Hindi mo ito pwedeng pabayaan nalang." Natatarantang sabi ni Tita Auster.

Nasapo ko ang noo ko, dahil hindi ko na naisip ito.

I love our company, but ever since my daughter came into my life, everything has changed drastically. I prioritize her above all even when I'd like to be in charge of our company one day.

"Paano ang trabaho mo? Dito kana magtatrabaho? I mean, you can get a job here but it's still different when you work at your own company, dahil hawak mo ang oras mo. You will get burdened with too much work if you start from a scratch!"

Napabuntong hininga ako, dahil pakiramdam ko ay na-stress ako sa sinabi ni Tita Auster.

"Please, try to reconsider. Hindi puwedeng habang buhay mong tatakbuhan ang responsibilidad mo. You are a mother, but you are a daughter too. A heir. A leader. The company and its employees needed you. Think, Nasia. And don't forget that your daughter could benefit from this too." Si Tita Auster na hinawakan ang braso ko saka inilahad sa akin ang isang box.

"What is this, Tita?" Nangunot ang noo ko duon.

"This is a gift from your father, for you... and for your daughter." Ngumiti sa akin si Tita.

Agad kong binuksan ang square box, may brown paper doon na naka close. Binuksan ko iyon at kinuha ang papel sa loob, at agad kong natuptop ang labi ng makita kung ano iyon.

"Tita..." nanginginig na sambit ko sa kanya.

"Matagal mo ng hiniling na bumukod sa Ama mo, pero ni minsan ay hindi niya ibinigay sayo. Now, he's giving you your freedom."

Mabilis na nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko.

"He bought a penthouse in BGC under your name. When you are back, you can live there with your daughter."

"Tito also bought a brand new car. So you can drive it on your own when you are back." Dagdag ni Sol.

Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko at tiningnan sila. Sol smiled at me. Flor held my arm and rested her chin on my shoulder.