Circle of Life

47.

I.

As the evening came the grand celebration for Imelda's birthday had started. It was a night full of singing, dances and messages for Imelda.

Imelda stand up, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I don't even know where to start my speech", she stated and make everyone laugh.

"At this age I can't thank God enough for letting me reach this age. I think I have already fulfilled my mission in life and witnessing my children build their own families have their own children is already a joy in my life and now watching my grandchildren have their own family and be able to watch my grand-grand child grow up too, my heart is so full.", she stated smiling which makes the others look at her with full of love and admiration.

"If there had been a one wish of mine that had been over the years it was to have a grand daughter. As all of you know I already have bunch of handsome young grandson gentleman's of mine. I know it was so impossible for me to pray to have a grandchild, as Imee my first born was already annulled with her husband", she stated.

'Mommy naman', Imee shouted earning a laugh from everyone.

"Totoo naman anak eh", sagot pa ni Imelda.

"Bong and Irene can't already too even if they're happily married unlike my first born of course", she stated.

"But God really works in ways we can't imagine. Five months ago I had found out that I really had a grand-daughter, I'll cut the story short and will not further the speech. Tonight event became even more better because of her presence joining us today.", she smiled.

Kiella was then became nervous she wasn't aware that she would be introude to the circle of Imelda's friends and closes relatives.

"Mama", she said and look at Irene.

'It's okay anak, just go hmm', Sabi ni Irene at hinalikan Ang noo nito.

Tumango naman si Imelda na nakatingin Kay kiella, "let me introduce to all of you, my one and only grand-daughter Georgienne Kiella Rae M. Araneta", she announced. For which kiella nervously went to the stage.

'Mamu hindi ito Kasama sa ah sa ano ha. I am so nervous, sana nag-briefing manlang tayo huhu', Saad ni kiella Kay Imelda.

"They're our family too, it's fine to tell them", she stated.

•••

After the speech everyone went on with the party and kiella was just beside Imelda going from one table to another as Imelda would introduce kiella to them and for kiella to know them.

"Are you okay?", it was Imee who ask kiella as soon as she saw her spacing out from her seat already.

'Im fine tita, just tired already. I walk here and there with Mamu earling greeting everyone and I am too shy already. Exposes na exposed na kagandahan ko tita', magiliw na sagot ni kiella kaya naman natawa at naaliw si kiella sakanya dahil napapansin Niya na magiging comfortable at maayos na Ang kanilang pamilya.

"Ikaw talagang Bata. Very good may natutunan ka na sa'kin", Saad naman ni Imee at lumapit pa Ng upo Kay kiella.

'Oo naman tita Ang dami ko Ng kalokohan na natutunan Sayo, joke', Sabi ni kiella at tumawa.

"Okay na 'yan atleast meron tska mana mo naman ang ganda ko plus points na 'yun"

'Sus tita, Ikaw mukhang 40 no Ako mukhang 17 dahil 17 naman talaga ako', aliw parin na sagot ni kiella.

Minutes passed silence occupy them while just looking at their other family members especially Imelda.

"You know what, ngayon ko lang ulit nakita Ang Mamu mo na ganyan ngumiti", Saad ni Imee