Si Adelina At Ang Lakan [Hacienda Wars]

Epilogue

Matapos ang lahat ng nangyari sa Hacienda, at nang maramdaman ko na ako ay natututo ng mga bagay na mahirap tanggapin, naramdaman ko na ang kalooban ko’y nawawala sa aking sariling mundo. Bumalik ako sa lugar na dati ay akala ko’y magaan na pakiramdam—ang aming mansyon—pero may bigat na nagmumula sa aking puso na hindi ko kayang itago. Ang mga alaalang naiwan sa lugar na iyon, ang mga pagsubok at responsibilidad na iniatang sa aking balikat, lahat ng iyon ay bumabalik sa aking isipan.

Nagising akong mulat sa araw ng aking kasal.

Sa oras na iyon, nakatayo ako sa harap ng altar, sa tabi ni Eugene Forteza, ang lalaking pinili ni Papa para sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong magalak o maghinagpis. Ang mga mata ni Eugene ay puno ng malasakit, ngunit hindi ko nakikita ang pagmamahal na hinahanap ko. Hindi siya si Eugenio Forteza na naka-ukit sa mga alaala ng aking ama at ng mga nakaraan ng aming pamilya—hindi siya ang aking tinadhana, ngunit siya ay narito ngayon sa aking tabi, handa nang makuha ang aking kamay.

His features were much like Eugenio, though he had fairer skin. His hair was the same shade of dark brown, and his eyes, though gentle, lacked the fire I imagined a true Lakan to have. The weight of my father's expectations hung heavily over me, but in my heart, I couldn’t feel any true connection to the man beside me.

I thought of the day when I stood before the mysterious figure in the forest, when they told me that my fate was not yet decided. Was this really my path? Was I truly meant to marry someone I didn’t love, all for the sake of legacy and family duty?

Eugene squeezed my hand gently, bringing me back to the present. I could feel the eyes of the guests on us—of my family, of his family, of everyone who had gathered to witness the union of two powerful bloodlines. My father's face was filled with pride, while my mother sat silently in the pews, her expression unreadable. I could feel her gaze heavy on me as though she was silently pleading for me to accept this.

I had to make a choice. I knew that. But it didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to walk down the same path that my ancestors had walked. I wanted something more. I wanted freedom, love—something real. But I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing Papa, of turning my back on everything that he had worked for. It was as if my every move had already been mapped out for me, like the walls of this place had been built to keep me in, to hold me captive.

As I stared into Eugene’s eyes, something stirred deep inside me. He was kind, gentle, and he didn’t push me. He was patient with me in ways I wasn’t used to, but was it enough? Could I ever learn to love him, to find a life of my own in this world that felt foreign and suffocating? Could I accept the life that had been carved out for me, even if it meant giving up everything I dreamed of?

I had no answers. I only knew that the weight of this decision was too much for me to carry alone.

"Adelina..." Eugene whispered softly, almost as if he could sense my hesitation. "We don't have to do this if you're not ready. I want this, yes. But I don't want you to feel trapped."

I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. His words were both comforting and painful. Was it possible for someone like me to truly be free in a world like this?

And then it hit me.

I could choose my own path. I didn’t have to follow the script that was written for me. I didn’t have to give in to the pressures of tradition, the legacy of my family, or the expectations that everyone had placed on me.

I could make my own choices. Even if it meant breaking away from the world I knew, even if it meant disappointing my father and leaving behind the comforts and privileges I’d been born into.

Looking back at Eugene, I knew that the right thing wasn’t to marry him just because it was what was expected of me. If we were to be together, it should be because we loved each other, because we chose each other—not because of some family arrangement.

I took a deep breath and looked at the altar, at the guests around us, at the life I was about to step into. With a steady voice, I spoke the words that would change everything.

“Eugene, I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I can’t marry you just because I’m supposed to.”

There was a stunned silence in the room. Eugene’s face fell, but he nodded, understanding the weight of my words. The realization that I was choosing a different path was clear in his eyes, and though it was painful, there was a quiet respect there too.

Turning to face my father, I saw the disappointment on his face. "Papa..." I said softly, my voice trembling. "I know I’ve disappointed you. But I have to live my own life. I have to find my own happiness. I can't live under the shadow of our family’s expectations any longer."

My father didn’t say a word. He simply stared at me, as if he was seeing me for the first time. There was no anger in his gaze—just a deep, unspoken sadness.

And then, in a final moment of clarity, I walked away. I left the life that had been planned for me, the expectations, the duties, and the responsibilities. I walked away from everything I knew to find my own way, to create a life that was truly mine.

And though I didn't know what the future held, I knew that the road ahead would be difficult, uncertain, and perhaps even lonely. But for the first time in my life, I was free to choose. And that was all that mattered.

I didn’t marry Eugene Forteza. I didn’t marry anyone. Instead, I chose to walk my own path, and wherever it led, I would go—no matter the cost.