Stonehearts 3: Aquamarine

One

"Papa, Daddy, I am home!" I shouted with glee when I reached home. Sinalubong naman ako ni Papa Luigi na umaamoy sa wine glass na hawak niya, daddy was trailing behind him.

"Ah our principessa is already here. Come figlia the new boxes of wine just came and we want you to taste it." Daddy Piero said before he tugged me to the kitchen.

There are wooden boxes of freshly made wine mula sa winery namin. Inabot sa akin ni Papa ang hawak niyang baso, I smelled it like they usually do. "It tastes amazing Papa!" Sambit ko, they both smiled before looking at each other.

"Our figlia is a fast learner. Only four years and now you are well versed with our business. Daddy and Papa can't be more proud." Napababa ako sa hawak kong wine glass at napaakap sa kanilang dalawa. "Kanino pa nga ba ako magmamana Daddy, kundi sa inyong dalawa lang ni Papa."

They both gave me feather light kisses on top of my head. They really are heaven sent. I couldn't ask for more because I have the best set of parents. Actually, I never thought na ganito ang magiging buhay ko. I have accepted the fact na baka sa ampunan na ako tatanda. I momentarily frowned when I remembered what I was about to tell them kanina.

"Oh right. Papa, Daddy, remember our Philippine Expansion?" I asked. They nodded bago nila ako sinundan pabalik sa sala ng bahay namin.

"The hacienda? Why princess may problema ba?"

"Did you check kung kaninong real estate we're teaming up?" Tanong ko. They looked at each other before shaking their head. "Hindi ko kabisado bambini, but I know they offered the best during the bidding." Muling tanong ni Papa.

"The Bardoquillos. They own the lot."

Napababa si Papa sa hawak niyang baso, "Bardoquillo?" He repeated, I think he's trying to remember kung saan niya narinig ang apelyido na yun. "The same Bardoquillo who hurt my principessa?!" He suddenly said in a high pitch voice. "Dio Mio, oh cieli! We will withdraw the partnership! Hahanap na lang tayo ng ibang lot for lease or for sale even!"

I saw Papa tremble with anger. Hinawakan na ni Daddy ang kamay ni Papa dahil sa nerbyos nito. Alam kasi nila ang tungkol sa ginawa sa akin ng mga Bardoquillo. Sinabi ko sa kanila. I don't hide anything from my parents. Lahat sinasabi ko. They know everything about my past.

"Il mio amore, please calm down. Our bella figlia can't keep running away from her past. She needs to settle it once and for all and I think this is the best chance we could ever have. To be able to move forward she needs to let go of the pain and grief caused by her past. Please amore, think about this." Daddy said in a tranquil manner as he caress Papa's hand to calm him too.

Tahimik lang ako habang pinapakinggan si Daddy. Tama nga naman siya, hindi ko na pwedeng iwasan pa ang mga Bardoquillo. Yung galit na namuo sa puso kailangan na rin mawala. Alam ko, I accepted their accusations kahit alam kong wala akong ginawang masama. Pero kahit ganoon, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magtanim ng galit sa kanila. I can still remember every part of it. Yung mga sinabi nila, yung mga bintang nila, lahat-lahat.

Napabuntong hininga si Papa saka umupo sa tabi ko, "Sorry bambini, kung alam ko lang hindi ikaw ang papapuntahin ko ng Pilipinas. I just don't want to see you crying mia dolce, bella Aqui. That is why Papa is very protective." He said with a hug me before planting a kiss on top of my head countless of times.

I smiled and looked at him. "I know that Papa but daddy's right. I need to face my past so I can get going. Besides, you are booked for Spain the same date I am to meet them."

He let out a heavy sigh, "Okay, okay. Papa agrees with you going back to the Philippines. But once I hear or see you cry I will bust out my karate moves so he will learn. Learn for good." Umakting pa ito na nagkakarate kaya natawa ako.

Saka namin narinig ang tunog ng oven. "The chicken is done. We can now eat." Aya ni daddy. Sinukbit ko ang kamay ko sa braso niya at umakap doon habang nakahawak naman sa bewang niya si Papa.

Hinatid nila ako sa airport after two days, after 17 hours tatapak nanaman ako sa lupa ng Pilipinas at makikita ko nanaman ang lalakeng minahal ko noon. Lalakeng nagpaikot ng mundo ko, lalakeng pinagbintangan ako, kinutya ang estado ko. Hindi ko maipagkaila, I've been waiting for this to happen.

May sumundo naman sa akin agad when I arrived at the airport, her name is Karen, daddy hired her daw for me. I stayed in a hotel owned by Papa's friend, they gave me the best room. My heart melted dahil kahit malayo ako kila daddy at papa, inaalagaan pa rin nila ako.

"Will there be anything else Miss Q?" Tanong sa akin ng personal room attendant ko. She will be my RA daw hanggang sa matapos ang ipinunta ko dito.

"No, I am good." Sambit ko. She smiled at me saka siya nagpaalam. Napabuntong hininga ako. It's been so long since tumapak ako sa lupa ng Pilipinas. Yung traffic, polusyon, ingay, nakakamiss din pala.

I facetimed Papa & Daddy, dami pa nga nilang bilin specifically for the time I am to meet the person who broke me then. I took my Mac out and emailed the people that have been there for me when I was still an orphan.

"Q's back in town!" I typed and added random emojis with it. I sent to Ate Gie, Ate Amy, and Aya.

Ate Gie was the first one to reply, "Get a phone para mabilis ka naming makausap. Miss you Q! 'Till when are you going to stay here? Please stay hanggang maipanganak ko ang kambal ko. Ninang ka okay?" Napangiti ako. Yeah, autoliker nga ako ng preggy photos nitong si Ate Gie. Pregnancy suited her well. Maganda siyang buntis, hanggang like lang ako kasi inuulan ng 'heart' comments ni Kuya Lev ang mga pictures niya. He is super head over heels in love with Ate Gie.

Then Ate Amy shoot me a mail too, "Finally! Kita-kita tayo ASAP! Pero sana sinabihan mo kami para nasundo ka namin sa airport. Love you Q!"

"Ate Q! Miss na kita! Labas tayo, I am on sick leave." Aya replied. She's on sick leave again, parang mas madalas na ang pagkakaroon niya ng sakit these past few months.

I combed my shoulder length baby blue hair with my hand. Siguro aayain ko muna silang lumabas. This jetlag may get the best of me kapag itinulog ko so it's best that I should go. Besides, bibili rin ako ng bagong phone.

I went out with the girls. Ate Gie's looking lovely with her big belly. She has that great mommy glow. Si Ate Amy naman, nabuking ni Aya. She has a new boyfriend pala, the name's Chancellor. Actually, Aya did a great job mentioning Ate Amy's secret boyfriend. He owns an engineering firm kasi and Ate Amy said that she will ask him kung okay lang napadalhan ako ng engineers at architect to help me with the Hacienda. And Aya, well she's still the sickly Aya. Medyo maputla nga siya ngayon.

I again facetimed daddy and papa pagkauwi ko sa hotel. Nakaakbay pa nga si daddy kay Papa habang tumatawa when I told them about my day. "I miss you Papa Luigi and Daddy Piero."

Daddy reached out for their screen as if he could touch me. "We miss you too bambini. We miss you so much! Hindi kami sanay na hindi ka nakikita dito sa bahay." He said with a sad tone.

I tried to smile so my tears won't fall. "Q baby, you'll meet them all tomorrow. Are you sure you're ready for this?" Papa Luigi asked quietly, his eyes filled with concern. Daddy was just looking at me intently through their monitor as he rubs Papa's shoulder.

I gave them a warm smile. I don't want them worrying about me. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko. I can do this. I know I can. "Yes Papa. I am ready."