Where My Heart Lies Between

Chapter 58: The Dream

One day later...

Annaliese

It's already 3:57am as I'm already finished getting myself ready for later. It's Tuesday— and this means pag-eensayo para sa gagawing pagtupad.

After I put on my usual fruity lip balm, as always— kinuha ko yung bag ko na nasa loob yung clearbook ko at facemask saka ako lumabas ng kwarto. Pero bago ako bumaba, napagisipan ko na pumunta ako sa kwarto nina Daddy E.

I carefully twisted the door knob as I pushed the door open. Magkatabing natutulog sina Daddy E at Mommy Lynn.

A bittersweet smile formed on my lips as I watch them sleeping. Even up to this day, I still wished that everything I've found out is all but a dream. Masaya na ako kung anong meron ako ngayon. I was being nurtured by this family who brought out the best in me when everyone— not all, but some people— sees them as outcast dahil lang sa Iglesia Ni Cristo nga sila.

Pero kahit anong pagpipilit ko, wala na talaga akong magagawa— dahil nandyan na, eh. I slowly come to terms that I'm a Marcos by blood, pero I still don't understand how I ended up in here in the first place. 

The name also sounds super triggering para sa buong bansa— no thanks to what happened last Elections. 'Di ko ramdam sa pamamahay na eto for some reason, bakit kaya?

I shrugged that question off as I quietly moved closer to their bed and gently planted soft kisses on their cheeks. "Di ko po kayang sabihin 'to sa inyo... pero," I breathe out a sigh, "Salamat. Sa pagmamahal na binigay po ninyo sa akin. Hinding-hindi ko po eto malilimutan."

Dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng kwarto nila at isinasara ko yung pintuan.

At dahil derechong pagpupulong ng LAHAT ng mga maytungkulin pagkatapos mismo ng ensayo, I decided to have a quick meal bago umalis ng bahay— tinapay lang na may palaman na Cheez Whiz at kape.

༺ ･ ❀ ･ ༻

Kakapasok lang ng announcement pag-uwi ko na wala kaming classes for today due to a teacher and faculty staff meeting as preparation for the coming new set-ups sa next school year. Mapapasayaw na lang ako sa saya dahil, finally! Pahinga— kahit isang araw lang! 😅

Nasa breakfast nook ako ng kusina, staring at the old picture of Papa Erdie and me that was taken nung 95th anniversary celebration ng Iglesia. I couldn't help but recalling the dream I had last night...

⋯ flashback ⋯

"H-hello? W-who are you?" I stammered, looking at the shadow that caught my attention kanina pa.

I tiptoed my way to the living area to avoid making noises since ako lang ang gising nung gabing 'yon, and everyone in this house is already asleep.

I can only see a figure of a man is staring at the pictures na naka-display sa isang tabi.

"Uhh... excuse me po?" I said with my heart beating hard, swallowing a lump in my throat and sweats forming on my forehead.

Humarap naman eto sa kinatatayuan ko, with it's eyeglasses that concealed some of his facial features, that attire, and the hair that I can easily recognize.

Papa Erdie?

"My sweet baby girl. Anlaki mo na talaga." when he uttered these words and ended with his signature smile, I didn't waste a second to run towards him and hug him tightly.

"Jusmiyo! Apakahigpit naman 'yan, hija!" he giggled.

"Pa naman!" I began to sob, feeling his hands rubbing on my back.