Why Not Me (why can't it be me?) [Vini & Dalilah]

Kabanata 21

I kept my unwavering smile, standing all tall and while trying to appear strong beside my daughter, even though I knew that no amount of pretending could make coming home any easier. Part of my heart was glad to be back here, as there was nothing like the feeling in the place you grew up to. However, the other part, the scared part, weighed heavier for I did not know what awaited us here. I was not sure if coming back was a good idea, especially since I had not moved on from the past yet-perhaps because I did not even try to. Dito sa puso ko ay dala-dala ko pa rin 'yong malaking hinanakit at matinding galit kay Vini sa ginawa niyang pang-iiwan sa akin sa ere.

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay ni Dahlia sa pagkakaalala sa lalaking 'yon, natatakot sa maaaring mga mangyari sakaling malaman niya ang tungkol sa kaniya. However, I needed not to worry about that as we were not staying here for long. Once I had negotiated with the company willing to buy half the shares and resolved the problems, Dahlia and I would immediately fly back abroad and resume our life there.

Tightly holding my daughter's hand, we made our way to the baggage claim area. As we waited for our bags, I scanned the airport and my eyes immediately welled up in tears seeing Auntie Delaney smiling and waving her hand at me, and who was being extra as usual as she held a banner with my name and Dahlia's printed on it.

Until now, no one in my father's family knew about my pregnancy, the birth of my baby, and the special needs my child had-except for Auntie Delaney who only found out about it just recently. Ang sabi ni Mumeee sa akin noon ay natatakot daw si Dee-dee sa maaaring maging reaksyon ng mga magulang niya, lalo na si Grandpa Dalton. He might be a sweet and caring grandpa, but he could be ruthless when it came to protecting the family name and reputation. Kaya kay Auntie Delaney muna nila ipinaalam ang tungkol dito. Last week, through a videocall, Dahlia and her had a quick introduction, Dee-dee asking his sister a big favor. Siya na raw muna ang bahala sa aming dalawa pagdating namin dito sa Pilipinas at tulungang magpaliwanag ng tungkol dito sa mga magulang nila.

Sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari at ang sumunod na alam ko na lang ay nakalapit na siya sa akin at yakap-yakap na ako nang maghipit sa mga bisig niya.

"Dal! I've missed you so much!" aniya na halos maalog na ako.

"I've missed you, too, Auntie," I replied, and when as I was about to return the hug, she suddenly pulled away and looked down at the small girl now hiding behind me.

Auntie Delaney bent on her waist until she was eye-level with Dahlia.

"Hello, my beautiful Dahlia! Can you remember me, baby? We've met already. I am-" biglang natigilan siya at napatakip ng bibig. "Oh, my God! Come to think of it! I am her grandma now!" sabi niya na nagpahagikhik naman sa akin. "Anyway, let's not think about how you will call me."