Taking The Spotlight (Uncompleted)

Chapter 36

I lifted my gaze to his, tears welling up as he took a step back, slowly distancing himself.

"P-Paano ka?" I finally saw his warm smile for the first time, but it was tinged with sadness.

He gently cupped my cheek, wiping away my tears. "I'll always be here, waiting for someone to pull me out of the darkness." With that, he removed his hand and turned away. "Go," he said softly.

I stepped back, my eyes fixed on him, but he didn't look back. My heart racing, I grasped the door handle, gazing at him one last time before tearing myself away.

"Gale Denver Hoston," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I loved you as my husband, despite our differences. I don't know how I fell for you, but I want you to know... I learned to love someone who couldn't love me back." My words dissolved into sobs.

"I was happy being your wife," I whispered. "I finally had someone to share my life with; I wasn't alone. Yet, you still made me feel isolated. I hope you'll truly love someone someday, just as deeply as I loved you." Hindi siya kumibo, nanatili siyang naka talikod.

Dahan-dahan kong sinara ang pinto, na iwan siya sa madilim na silid. Sa pagbaba ko ng hagdan, nakasalubong ko si Papa na paakyat.

Tumingin siya sa pinto na pinasok ko kanina, then bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Papa," tawag ko habang lumapit ako sa kanya.

"Did I force you enough?" he asked.

"I'm sorry if you felt that way... Gale was a good guy, to be honest. That's what I saw in his eyes when we first met – loneliness, sorrow and hatred."

"He grew up in a challenging world, like yours. I thought you two could make a good team. I'm sorry if I pressured you, Sage. I wanted a better future for you, with someone to lean on – a partner. I'm disappointed in myself; I wasn't the father I should've been. Your mother would've scolded me if she were here."

"There's a big difference between you and Aliana. I failed you both, but especially you.
I see courage in you, Sage, like your mom's, and kindness in your heart. You were brave enough to handle and fight for yourself-" naputol ang sasabihin nito ng magsalita ako.

"Hindi mo ba naisip, Dad, na kailangan din kita? Kahit gaano ako katapang, hindi mo ba naisip na kailangan ko ang aking ama?" Pabulong na sambit ngunit matigas.

"Nangungulila ako sa iyong attention at sa kahit na kaunting panahon lang na makasama kita at mayakap." Nanginginig ang labi ko kaya kinagat ko ito.

"Noong iniwan mo ako sa probinsya, hindi mo ba naisip kung kamusta na ang anak na iniwan ko doon? Masaya ba siya? Nag-aaral ba siya nang mabuti?"

"Dad. I have successfully achieved my achievements but i have failed to achieve my father during my big speech on my graduation. My eyes searched for you, hoping you'd come on stage and congratulate me. I had no one to walk with, so I accepted my medals alone."

"If you're here to force me to be with him again, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've found someone better and plan to spend my life with him." With that tumakbo ako pababa sa hagdan at rinig ko ang tawag ni papa sa akin pero patuloy ako sa pagtakbo hanggang sa naka rating sa gate.

Nakita ko si tito habang papalapit ako sa gate. Naka harap siya sa akin tila hinihintay ako.

"Tito I'm sorry-"

"Sorry for what iha?" Agad niyang sambit.

"K-Kasi..." yumuko ako at lumunok sa sasabihin ngunit nakita kong may inabot siya sa akin at naka lahad ito sa harap ko.

My lips parted as I looked up. He smiled and nodded. As I glanced at the plane ticket he held, and said, "I got you one. His mother strictly forbade me from buying one, she doesn't want me setting foot in Spain." Tumawa siya ng mahina.