YOU. || Gregorio del Pilar x Reader

KABANATA VII.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Ever since Goyo got your father's blessing in courting you, he has been visiting your home almost everyday. And if he couldn't, he never fails to send you flowers as a form of apology.

It's flattering, how a man genuinely cares about you, who wants to marry you not because of your father's money- but because of love.

Your parents are more than happy for you, your father is immensely proud for you had found a man who is protective of you like he is.

Goyo is now more than welcome in your home. Your parents treat him like he is their own son, well, in the future, he will be, your father said once, shooting you a wink.

He has never treated your past suitors like how he treats Goyo. He even gives the young man advices that sometimes makes him laugh.

You're currently sitting with your mother in the living room, your father in his office, saying that he's got some work to do.

"Mamma," you called, and she hummed, so you continue. "Paano po naging kayo ni pappa?"

"Bakit mo natanong, anak?" She asks, taking a sip of her tea.

You shrugged. "Eh, kakaunti lang naman po ang naikwento niyo sa 'kin. Gusto ko lang po malaman."

She smiled. "Kasing edad mo ako nang makilala ko ang pappa mo." She says. "Gaya ni Goyo, isa rin siyang sundalo. Nadestino sila sa bayan namin." She laughs softly. "Naka-takda ako noon na magpakasal sa lalaking hindi ko kilala."

Your eyes widened. You hadn't heard this story from your mother before.

She looks at you and smiles. "Pinakilala siya ng mga kapwa niya sundalo sa akin nang bumisita sila sa aming hacienda." She continued. "Noong una, hinding naging maganda ang pakikitungo namin sa isa't isa. Para kaming aso't pusa."

The sound of her laughter mixed with your echoes through the room.

She reaches for your hand. "Pero hindi ko talaga mapagkakailang nagkagusto ako sa pappa mo noong una ko siyang nasilayan." She mutters. "Tutol ang mga magulang ko sa relasyon namin, dahil naka-takda na akong magpakasal sa iba."

You stayed quiet, and she continues. "Ginawa ng pappa mo ang lahat ng makakaya niya. Ipinahanap niya ang lalaking papakasalan ko. Nakiusap siya sa kaniyang ama na bayaran ang mga magulang ng lalaking iyon para ipatigil ang darating na kasal."

She chuckles. "Hindi ko akalaing magtatagumpay siya noon. Nagulat na lamang ang aking pappa nang magpunta rito ang mga magulang ng lalaking iyon upang sabihin na ayaw na nilang ipakasal ang anak nila sa akin."

"Ano pong nangyari sa inyo ni pappa, mamma?" You asked.

"Hiningi muli ng iyong pappa ang kamay ko." Your mother responded. "At dahil wala na ring nagawa ang mga magulang ko, pumayag silang ligawan niya ako. Pinakilala ako ng pappa mo sa mga magulang niya. Lumipas ang isang taon, at napag-desisyunan namin magpakasal."

She strokes the back of your hand with her thumb. "Sa dalawang taon naming mag-asawa, nalaman kong nagdadalang tao ako. Nag-retiro ang iyong ama bilang sundalo nang ipanganak kita."

She sighs as she finishes her story. "Kaya anak, kung lolokohin ka man ni Goyo... 'Wag kang magdadalawang isip na hiwalayan siya, dahil ginawa ng pappa mo ang lahat ng maaari niyang gawin para hingin ang kamay ko sa nga magulang ko."

Her words made you believe in love. You smiled at her. It justifies the fact that if a man wanted to, he would.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*