A good mistake

1

TASHANA

Growing up, one of the most important factors that contribute to a child's development is a supportive environment. Ideally, this comes in the form of a loving family. Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to have one, including myself. From the time I was young, I always yearned for a parent's affection and guidance that I never received. Sadly, I am a neglected child, unwanted and alone. Specifically by my mother.

"How was the ranch?" I was brought back to reality when Alexjandro Fuentes spoke again. I paused for a moment before recalling the image of the ranch, but my mind was preoccupied with other things.

"It was nice, refreshing, and a great escape," I replied, and he seemed pleased with my answer. "If you liked it so much, why did you come back?" he asked curiously before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Telesporo told me you were returning today, so I came home," I said with a smile, feeling satisfied with my response.

"That's great to hear, my child," he replied, and I was taken aback by the endearment. I then sat down in front of him, and Telesporo took the cue to bring me my coffee. He was Alexjandro Fuentes' most loyal butler.

"Hmmm," I murmured before turning my attention to the garden. I am content with my peaceful life, and I am grateful for having Alexjandro Fuentes as my father. At least kahit papaano ay thankful parin ako.

"Tashana, would you like to go with me?" he asked, furrowing his brows, trying to gauge my reaction. Tinawag rin ako nito gamit ang pangalan ko, so this seems serious

"Where to? Don't tell me you're taking me to one of your business parties again?" I asked, knowing that he always did that to me since I was young. He raised me to take over his business, and he thought it was essential for me to learn from a young age. I'm not ungrateful, but I want to live a normal life, especially at my age.

He chuckled, "No, dear. I'm not taking you to any business parties. I haven't forgotten our agreement." I breathed a sigh of relief because we had a deal that he would let me live my life until I turned 25 years old, which is when I would take over the company. I'm currently working on my expenses, and I don't want to ruin the life I have now.

"So, where are we going?" I asked impatiently, not wanting to entertain any ideas that he might have.

"The Philippines," he replied, and I almost said something before he continued.

"Masyadong matagal na simula ng umuwi tayo ng Pilipinas, ayaw mo bang mag bakasyon doon?" Pinag-aralan ko muna ang mukha nito bago pinag isipan ang isasagot ko. It's not that I don't want to go there but I just couldn't see the need to go

"Bakit niyo ngayon naisipan ang umuwi?" Hindi nito ako masisi na magtaka dahil sa tinagal ng panahon ay ni hindi ito nag-aya ng umuwi ng Pilipinas. We were living here in Italy for years at minsanang pag babakasyon sa America dahil sa mga negosyo nito. Napa buntong hininga ito bago sumagot

"Masyado ng matanda ang lolo mo, maybe this time it's good to go back again" malungkot na sagot niya bago napangiti ng mapait "They haven't met you yet" proud pang nakangiting dagdag nya but I am not even amazed

"Dad, ain't you forgetting something?" I understand his reason dahil kahit anong mangyari ay tatay pa rin niya si Lolo but I just can't accept it. "After everything they did to you, you'll just go back as if nothing happened?" hindi ko mapigilang ilabas ang sama ng loob ko. I was too young back then but every word and nasty look that they were giving Dad was engraved to my mind. Napabuntong hininga lang ito bago ako titigan ng malumanay at mag paliwanag

"They are still a family, Tasha" No! I will never forgive them. Never in my life have I treated them as one, and it goes both ways!

"No! You may forgive them for what they've done to us pero ako hindi Dad!" Ni kahit kailan hindi nila tinuring na pamilya si Dad. Ako ang saksi sa lahat ng hirap na pinagdaanan ng tatay ko. He went through a lot of struggles before he got this kind of life. Lahat ng meron sya, kami ay galing sa sakit at hirap! I never give Dad a chance to say something at mas nag patuloy pa

"Hinding-hindi ko sila mapapatawad sa lahat ng ginawa nila sayo Dad. We were never treated as a family. They were the ones who severed the ties from us. Dad magtira ka naman para sa sarili mo." halos maiyak kong pakiusap dito. Those days when my father begged and swallowed his pride just to save my dying mother but they were heartless to play deaf and blind. Wala kaming nakuhang tulong sakanila kundi ang pag sitabuyan lamang kami.

They disowned my father just because they are closed-minded and think highly of themselves. My father is from a very wealthy clan. An old money they say, so as expected the family has no intention of letting go of that wealth so they should marry to a par family. My father is different; he is not someone who cares about social status or anything. He is very intelligent and one of the sons who is expected to lead the family's business. In other words, the future of the family is on his shoulders. Sure thing it was a huge pressure on my father's part and I know that he never wanted it, he did his best tho. He doesn't have freedom, his life is already planned out, not until he met my mom who came from a simple family. Like the other love story that is subject to scrutiny and objection through social status, they were bound to break, however, my parents fought hard for their love but the consequence was them not being recognized by the Fuentes and dad being disowned.

Ever since we never got any connection from them, they are the ones who cut everything off anyway so we just cherish a family of our own. I witnessed the hardship of my parents. I witnessed and experienced the adversity of life. My dad would get every job so that he could support our needs especially when my mother was sick. She was diagnosed with cancer. My dad swallowed his pride and begged his family to help his wife but what they did was very outrageous. They humiliate him and tell him how he deserves what's happening to him because he betrayed the family. I was six years old back then but still remembered the horrible experience of his family. I couldn't forget the words that were thrown at him. It was very painful to see my parents in that situation. Ever since I swore to myself that I would never treat them as a family no matter what kaya simula noon ay hindi na kami muling lumapit pa sa mga Fuentes at naisipang mas makakabuti kung lalayo kami. The most painful part was when my mother died. Doon ko nakita kung paano gumuho ang mundo ng aking ama. Alam ko na nawalan siya ng pag-asa sa buhay na para bang ayaw na nitong mabuhay pa, sobrang sakit na makitang humahagulgol ang tatay ko sa puntod ng nanay ko but I couldn't do anything I was just a child.

But I was so proud dahil alam kong alam ng tatay ko na he still have me. So, he did his best even though it was painful. My dad and his friend built a business and thank god they got blessed and it was successful at dahil doon ay binigyan niya ako ng comfortable na buhay. I couldn't think of anything more than my father's happiness. I may have longed for a mother's care and love but I am lucky to still have a dad. He is my everything, my best friend, and the first man who truly loves me. Kaya hindi niyo ako masisisi kung tutol ako sa desisyon nitong makipag- ayos sa pamilyang itinakwil kami.

"Think about it Dad" determinado akong baguhin ang isip nito sa binabalak niyang pakikipag ayos sa kanyang pamilya pero may magagawa pa ba ako kung mukang desidido na ito? Ngunit tanging "understanding smile" lamang ang nakuha ko rito.

"I know where you're coming from anak. Pero kung nandirito ang mom mo ay sasangayon din sya sa akin. We're just wasting time keeping a grudge against each other, dear" alam ko, he is not getting any younger at tanging hiling rin nito ang makipag-ayos sa pamilya nya but I just can't do it. May malambot na ekspresyon ko syang tiningnan bago umiling. Because he may think that way but I doubt na ganoon rin ang pamilya nya, knowing them.

"I understand, but Dad I will not hide from you how against I am with your plan. I am only okay with this dahil alam kong desidido ka pero hindi parin ako sang-ayon" I made it clear that I will never support this madness! Ever! I only received a smile and a reassuring nod from him bago ito tumayo at yakapin ako

"Thank you, darling" Everything seems fine when this comforting hug is from him " You give the best hugs Dad" biro ko dito to lighten up the mood. Ayoko rin kasi na nagkatampuhan kami dahil sa kaming dalawa nalang naman ang nagdadamayan. He chuckled in response bago nito ginulo ang buhok ko

"Pack up and we'll leave" and it starts my journey to the Philippines against my will. If it's not my Dad I will never step a foot on that place ever again!