Chapter 23
***The ancestral house of Velarde became very busy and lively that afternoon as they welcome a new member of the family. Kalalabas lang nina Hanna at Baby Shin sa ospital matapos ang tatlong araw at nakiusap si Sheena na dumiretso sila sa ancestral house para i-welcome sila bilang kanilang pamilya.
The family of Silva are of course present in there as they talk about Shiruo and Hanna’s upcoming wedding that will soon to be held after a few months. Hihintayin lang nilang maka-recover mula sa panganganak si Hanna.
“I’m a little bit nervous,” Hanna uttered when she saw the huge front yard with two grand fountains that she only saw on televisions.
“You don’t need to worry about it, baby. Now that they knew what really happened back then, they don’t hate you anymore. Though, dapat nga hindi ka nila kamuhian dahil wala ka naman talagang kasalanan. Saka, ako na ang nagsasabi sa iyo na nagsisisi na ang mga pinsan ko sa nagawa nila, lalo na si Brook.”
Hanna slightly nodded. Hinilig niya ng kaunti ang ulo sa dibdib ni Shiruo na dala-dala ang bag na naglalaman ng mga gamit ng bata.
With the assurance Shiruo whispered to her, Hanna walk beside him with confidence while holding Baby Shin in her arms.
Party confetti popped as soon as they entered the house. They all warmly welcomed her in the family.
“Welcome home, Hanna and Baby Shin!” they chanted in unison.
Instead of crying, Baby Shin reached out for the colorful confetti raining above his head.
“Ooh, look at that! Hindi siya katulad ni Shellsea na umiyak noon. Surely, this kid will grow up to be very optimistic and full of perseverance,” Seashell said, Harvey’s wife. Pitong buwan na itong buntis sa pangalawa nilang anak.
“I hope so, Ate Sese. Ang cute ng anak ko, hindi ba?” pagmamayabang pa ni Shiruo.
As they exchange words with each other, Hanna observed everyone in there to see if anyone of them still hates her but just like what Shiruo said, they accepted her already and Baby Shin. Their expressions is already enough for her not to worry about them loathing her about what she did in the past.
“May I?” Sheena held out her hands to hold her grandson. Binigay naman ni Hanna sa kaniya ang bata saka kumapit sa braso ni Shiruo para panoorin ang napakagandang senaryo sa harapan nila.
Sheena excitedly showed the baby to them and even bragging that she had the most handsome grandson in the world.
Hindi rin nagpaawat si Aveonna at talagang iniyabang niya sa kanila ang kakaibang genetic disorder sa pamilyang Silva, ang kanilang insignia.
As the living room became lively and cheerful, Shiruo excused himself and went to the garden where his father and uncles are. Sumunod sa kaniya ang dalawang nakatatandang pinsan na sina Harvey at Aries.
“Papa,” tawag atensyon niya sa ama na hindi gaanong makalingon sa kaniya.
While he looks at him, he can’t find the reason to hate him or hold a grudge against his father. He understands him in keeping their family intact even by doing mean things. Ang kaibahan lang nila ay tinago niya si Hanna sa posibilidad na paghiwalayin sila ng kaniyang pamilya at ang ama niya naman ay gumawa ng isang bagay kung saan may matatapakan siyang tao.
Mas lumapit pa si Shiruo sa ama niya para ipakita na hindi siya galit dito. As much as possible, he wants to maintain the family’s quote— to value one another.
After three days in the hospital, that will be the first time he will talk to his father regarding what he did in the past. Tahimik naman ang magkakapatid, naghihintay sa paliwanag ni Santino.
BINABASA MO ANG
Isla Velarde #1: Raging Waves
RomanceShiruo Velarde went to their family island after resigning from his work as a photographer. Not wanting to take over their family business, his mother permitted him to go. He thought he will have a peaceful life living in the island until one stormy...