Where My Heart Lies Between

Chapter 46: Courtesy Call

Meanwhile—

Bongbong

Eto na. Yung pinaka-hinihintay ko. Ang araw na hindi ko lang makaka-usap ang Ka. Eduardo Manalo para sa gagawing courtesy call. Eto rin ang araw na makausap ko na rin ang kaisa-isa kong unica hija... after 16 years?

I just arrived here at the INC's Central Office around 2:00pm and was escorted by the ministers on our way to Ka. Eduardo's quarters.

"Salamat, brother!" I smiled at Ka. Israel Facundo.

"Good luck, sir Bongbong." he said, giving me a pat on my back.

The white panel double doors had opened as I entered the room. The interior had so many changes since it was renovated recently. In fairness, kaya din maki-ayon sa modern times in terms of interior design, but blended with some architecture styles from the past that gives a timeless look na hindi rin masakit sa mata.

I couldn't help but in awe to see how much it changed that I didn't notice someone tapped my shoulder. Napalingon ako and it's actually Ka. Eduardo behind me.

"Good afternoon sa'yo, Bong!" he greeted with his hand out for me to shake it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, once again!" I smiled, accepting his handshake.

"'Musta ka na? Nangangayat ka na mula nung umpisa ng campaign season ninyo." he asked full of concern.

I chuckled, "Oh, don't worry about it much. Kelangan ko na lang ng konting pahinga at maraming tubig for this, tutal - tag-init na rin." I said, tumango na lang eto.

"Upo ka muna pala," he motioned me to sit down at the gray chairs behind us.

"A job well done in maintaining your place in the surveys, Bongbong." papuri ng Ka. Eduardo. "Higit pa dyan, I'm impressed that you never stoop down sa level ng mga bumabastos sa'yo at sa pamilya mo. Lalo na sa mga nakikita ko- goodness." he shook his head while making clicking sounds with his tongue, "Ayokong i-mention yan sa'yo ng paisa-isa dahil halos lahat ay nasaksihan natin yun."

"All thanks to social media, I say." komento ko.

"Hmmm." tumango ang Ka. Eduardo, "Pero ang masasabi ko dyan, pinagtibay nga kayo ng panahon."

A/N: Not sure if that's the right sentence I pick, pero- bahala na! 😅

I chuckled, "Ohh, it's just us- being numb as time passes. Mula pa sa umpisa, Ka. Eduardo. Dahil buhay talaga namin yun, eh." I sighed, "But I always tell myself that-"

"Don't worry about it. You have the advantage because you know the truth." ani neto, napabilog yung mga mata ko sa mga katagang binitaw niya.

"Hey! Don't tell me... you watched it also, huh?"

Ka. Eduardo giggled, "Bongbong, sa ilang dekada nang magkakilala o magkasangga ang mga pamilya natin, there's never in a day na yan ang pinanghawakan ninyo if someone threw lies against you and your family. Apart from believing in divine justice, of course."

"Parang kayo din, in all honesty." sabi ko, remembering the times when he and the whole Church - mula pa sa Sugo until now - faced so much criticisms and hate, especially if that is something to do with Ka. Eduardo's decision that shocked most of us.

Kung ang pag-uusapan is yung pinatatag ng panahon, tinalo pa nila kami dyan. 40 years v.s 108 years.

"Hindi na yan bagong bagay sa amin na mga kaanib sa Iglesia ang dumadaan sa mga pagsubok, lalo na sa pag-uusig. Marami pa rin ang hindi alam sa mga totoong pangyayari, lalo na't may mga sarado pa rin ang isip nila, kahit anong explanation na sasabihin mo sa kanila. It sounds tiresome, but you can't avoid it." sabi ng Ka. Eduardo na tumango na lang ako in agreement.