Series3# OUR WORLD (COMPLETED)

EPILOGUE

MARK SHAN POV
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I grew up without my parents taking care of me since childhood. I was left with Manang Dessie, my nanny, ever since I was a baby. She raised me while my parents were busy working abroad. She gave me the love that my parents couldn't. But I love my parents dearly, even though they didn't have time for me. I always tell myself that they're doing all of this for me.

Ngunit sa isip ko lang pala iyon. When I was 18 years old ay pinaramdaman nila saakin na hindi ako parti sa pamilya nila. They don't even introduce me sa mga relatives nila. Tanging sina Lolo at lola lang talaga ang alam na nabuhay ako.

I tried my best, I studied hard, but they didn't see all my efforts.

"Shan, your family loves you,"

"If they loved me, they wouldn't make me feel this way. I've done everything, Manang Dessie, I've done everything. Why can't they see all my struggles and efforts?" Maliit na luha na pumatak saaking pisnge.

"Shan, may dahilan ang lahat. Intindihin mo nalang ang mama at papa mo." Sa sinabi ni Manang Dessie ay lalo ko pa initindi ang magulang ko, pero wala na talaga e. Di na sila magbabago.

When I turned 20, I felt like I had lost everything. Manang Dessie was gone from my life. She had a heart attack and passed away. I was all alone, with no one to turn to.

"You're good for nothing, Mark! You've let your life go to waste with that old hag!" Sigaw saakin ng aking Ina.

"Mom, she's my Nanay," diin ko. Napasalampak naman ako sa sahig ng agapan ako ng suntok ng aking ama.

"Don't talk to your mother like that, Mark! You have no gratitude towards us. When did you learn to talk to us like that? You have no respect!" I gave a bitter smile.

"We'll forget what you said today, but if we hear you talk like that again, you better pray for where you'll end up!" They turned their backs on me during the time I needed them most. When I needed them to comfort me after Manang Dessie's passing.

Wala akong  masandalan noon at tanging sarili ko nalang ang kakampi ko kaya pinagpatuloy ko ulit ang sinimulan ko. I studied hard and graduated Summa Cum Laude, fulfilling my dream of becoming an engineer.

Akala ko magiging masaya sila mommy at daddy ngunit mali ako. Pagpasok ko palang sa aming bahay ay bumungad na saakin ang aking mga maleta.

"Mom. . Dad. . What is the meaning of this?" Naguguluhan na tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa.

"You and your mother have deceived us, Mark! I'm ashamed to call you my son!" My dad yelled at me, furious.

"You're good for nothing Mark! What good is your engineering degree if you can't even run our company properly? You're a plague on this family!" My mom yelled before turning her back on me.

"Lumayas ka na sa pamamahay namin at wag kana babalik pa. "We regret having a son like you, you idiot!" Those hurtful words fueled my anger towards the parents I once knew. Minsan iniisip ko nalang, anak ba talaga nila ako?

Ang gusto ko lang naman na maging proud sila saakin. Naituring nila ako na parti sa pamilyang ito. Mahirap ba gawin yon? Mahirap ba akong tanggapin? Mahirap ba iyon para sa kanila? Kahit ngayon lang sana ay marinig ko na i-congratulate nila ako at sabihin proud na proud sila saakin.