MY SECOND CHANCE GIRL (ON GOING)

CHAPTER 11: ANNICA

FASTFORWARD: 3 YEARS LATER.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko ng matanggap ko ang tawag mula kay mommy kagabi. I know, we have not settled our bad terms before I left the country, the last time we talked was when he begged to talked to me..

Flashback.

'What? No dad, I know you're marriage with mom is going through rough times now but annulment? For godsake dad!' I angrily murmured.

'We could no longer save it Annica, can't you see? Pinahihirapan lang namin ang sarili namin. Hindi na kami masaya sa pagsasama namin.' Malungkot na saad nito.

'Because you are having an affair with somebody else dad, thats why' I replied. He tried to hold my hand but I avoided his touch..

'I love her Annica..' my dad muttered.

'Damn it dad, she's half your age, peperahan ka lang niya.. she's almost my age. Oportunista siya dad!'

'No?! You dont know her Annica, so dont judge her.' He replied. Ang sakit palang marinig na may mahal ng iba ang daddy ko.

'Ipagpapalit mo kami sa babae mo dad? You are going to ruin your marriage for that girl?' I wanted to cry but I held my tears back.. ayokong umiyak sa napakawalang kwentang rason, I have to be strong for my mom.

'Annica' napalingon kami ni daddy ng marinig namin ang boses ng mommy ko, bumaba ang paningin ko sa hawak niyang envelop at hindi na matigil ang kaba ko.

'You didnt right?' I asked without taking my eyes off the envelope.

'Your dad's right.. hindi na kami masaya. Hindi na ako masaya, pagod na rin akong umiyak.. pagod na akong magmukhang tanga, pagod na ako Annica..' Its like a thousand of needles are inside my heart right now, parang nadudurog ang puso ko ng makita kong nasasaktan ang mommy ko.

Wala na akong magawa ng isa-isa ng binaba ng mga katulong namin ang mga bagahe ni daddy. All I did was comforted my mom inside their used to be room. Ni hindi ako lumabas ng kwarto ng marinig kong nagpaalam sa labas si daddy.

'Ill be fine hija, I'm stronger than you think' she gave me a forced smile but I know, deep inside she's dying. All my life I've witnessed her undying love for my father, he was the strength of our family.. he was my mom's greatest love.

End of flashback.

'Annica!!!!' Napalingon ako sa my entrance ng airport, I saw Monique and Alani, dali dali akong lumapit sa kanila at sinalubong nila ako ng mahigpit na yakap.

'Condolence..' they murmured in chorus.

'Thank you..' he died. My father died.

Agad kong niyakap si mommy at humahagulgol siya. Kahit hindi naging maganda ang paghihiwalay namin ng daddy ko, hindi ko parin maiwasang masaktan, kasi kahit baliktarin mo man ang mundo, he's still my father. And I loved him.

'Mula ng iwan siya nung babae para sumama sa isang hapon,wala ng ibang ginawa ang daddy mo kundi maglasing.' My mom stopped as she wiped her tears.

'Bakit hindi niyo man lang po sinabi sakin?' I asked. Nakaupo kami sa harap ng casket ng daddy ko.

"Dahil ayokong bigyan ka pa ng iisipin sa London. I've seen you doing so well and I cant afford to ruin it' lumuluhang sagot ni mommy.

'H-how did he died?' I asked, wala akong idea kung paano sya namatay.

'Car accident, sa sobrang kalasingan.' She sobbed again and all I did was hug her.

'I'm sorry that you have to do it alone mom.. If I was here..'

'No Nica.. you've had your part of bad days and I can't take it if ill dragged you along again with issues regarding your father.. kung pwede nga lang na hindi ko na ipaalam sayo ang nangyari, gagawin ko but after all.. he's your father' my mom said apologetically.

I assisted with everything that has something to do with the death of my father, alam kong pagod na ang mommy ko.

'H-hindi ko po ata nakikita sila tito Max mom?' I asked at may kunting kurot sa puso.

'Baka bukas na daw sa libing sila pupunta anak.. they'll try to make it here nagkataon kasi na may bagyo kaya cancelled ang mga flight sa Cebu' Bukas? May umahong kaba sa dibdib ko, kasama kaya siya? 'Nica? Will you be okay?' Mom asked worriedly.

'Mommy.. I'm fine besides, almost 3 years na rin... I bet we've moved on.' Liar! You havent.. I secretly admonished myself.

Hinayaan ko munang matulog si mommy dahil alam kung ilang gabi na rin siyang puyat.

'Annica?' Napalingon ako sa likuran ko and automatically smiled when I saw Vercel.

'Vercel..' I walked towards him and offered him a tight hug.

'Its really you..' nung makapagdecide akong magLondon, hindi naman talaga nawala ang communication ko kay Vercel pati na rin kina Monique dahil narin sa may business kami pero 3 years din akong hindi umuwi sa Pilipinas.

'N-nagkita na ba kayo?' Out of nowhere, he asked.

'We havent, the last thing I heard was he took over tito Lucas business in Cebu..' I tried to calm my voice.

'You think you're ready to see him again?' I swallowed hard before I gave him a reassuring smile.

'Why wouldnt I? Antagal ng nangyari yun Verz, I'll be fine.' I'm an expert liar.

'And I'm sure alam mo na rin ang balita?' I stiffined and felt my heart stopped beating for awhile.

'Y-yeah..' I cleared my throat and smiles at him.

'And you're okay with it?' Dudang tanong niya sakin.

'Oo naman. What were you expecting? Maglulupasay ako sa kaiiyak? Ive moved on.. I'm fine okay? There's no need to worry about me. I can manage'

'Mabuti naman.. you're right, its been 3 long years.. What's so bad with your ex getting married with my ex.. the irony of life..' he chuckled.. then I expelled a deep breath..

'Yeah.. what's so bad about Andrei getting married to Lauren' I fake a small laugh and thought..

Everything's bad....