Hello There, Stranger

Part 21

Erika and Francis found the time to visit her parents again and this time they came out clean with the pregnancy and the upcoming wedding. Zenaida didn't react much because she had known about the baby for a while now, Alan on the other hand needed a moment to collect his thoughts. The reality that his daughter was now getting married and would have a kid of her own was too much to handle in one single setting.

"Parang kailan lang na ipinakilala mo si Francis sa amin at ngayon ikakasal na kayo at magiging Lolo na ako?" Alan can't help verbalizing it out loud unable to contain his shock.

Erika and Francis didn't retaliate, they knew better than to respond to that statement. On the other hand, Christian remained passive but eventually hugged his sister and offered his congratulations.

"Sana lalaki ang anak mo ate, para maipasa ko sa kanya ang aking mga nalalaman" he jokingly said, and Erika shook her head.

"Huwag mong turuan ng mga kabulastugang bagay ang anak ko Christian" sambit ni Erika. Nakatawang sumagot si Christian habang nagkakamot ng ulo.

"Sigurado na baka kayo sa desisyon ninyong magpakasal? Baka ginagawa niyo lang ito para sa bata. Tandaan ninyo na ang pag-aasawa ay hindi isang birong desisyon, kailangan na panindigan ninyo iyan habang buhay. Kaya kung magpapakasal kayo ay dahil gusto niyo ito pareho at hindi dahil napipilitan lang kayo" paalaala ng kanyang ina.

"Opo ma, naiintindihan po namin iyan at napag usapan na rin po namin ito ng masinsinan ni Francis..." Erika assured her parents while Francis nodded agreeing to her words.

"Hijo, samahan mo muna ako, nais kitang makausap lalaki sa lalaki" saad ni Alan. While Erika can't help but feel a little worried.

"Ma?" She uttered wanting a backup.

"Hayaan muna ang ama mo. Kailangan niya yan para makasigurong hindi ka nagkakamali sa pinili mong tao." Bulong nito sa kanya.

Francis stood up and squeezed Erika's hand telling her it was alright before following where Alan was heading. Erika watched until they disappeared from her view. She clasped her hands hoping things would turn out okay.

"Eh nasaan ba ang mga magulang ni Francis, Erika? Hindi ba ito pormal na pamamanhikan?" Tanong ni Zenaida.

"Wala na po pareho ang ina at ama ni Francis" She then narrated little details to give her mother enough understanding of the circumstance, but she omitted some personal details that were too invasive.

Tumatangong nakikinig naman si Zenaida sa salaysay ni Erika and when she was done, she pursed her lips tightly. "Kawawa naman pala ang batang ito... maagang naulila sa magulang." Komento ni Zenaida.

Hindi naglaon ay muling bumalik sa sala sina Francis at Alan at mapapansin ang mapupulang mga mata ng kanyang ama.

Umiyak ba ito? Erika thought. 

"Pa? Okay ka lang?" Tanong niya.

"Siyempre naman..." madaling sagot ni Alan sa kanya, trying to conceal his embarrassment.

"Erika, Francis" saad nito sa kanilang dalawa. "Alam namin na malalaki na kayo ngunit isipin ninyong maigi na mahirap bumuo ng isang pamilya, marami pa kayong haharapin na mga pagsubok, may mga away kayong hindi ninyo maiiwasan. Minsan may pagkakataong mas madali ang bumitaw sa ipinangako ninyo sa isat-isa keysa magpasensiya at magpatawad subalit huwag na huwag ninyong kalimutan na parte lamang iyan sa buhay may asawa at trabaho ninyong suportahan ang isat-isa ano man ang mangyari para sa ikauunlad ng inyong pamilya. Naiintidihan niyo ba ang sinasabi ko?" Mahabang salaysay ni Alan.

Both Erika and Francis looked at each other and immediately nodded, acknowledging what he was telling them.

"Mabuti naman. At dahil diyan buo ka naming tinatanggap sa pamilyang ito Francis at ipinagkakatiwala ko na sa iyo ang kapakanan ng aking anak na si Erika, naway maging maligaya kayo pareho" madamdamin nitong saad and Erika can't help but be emotional about it.