It Has To Be You

Prologue

"Marcus, stop it."

"Dad, I'm serious about this! Nararamdaman ko!"

Library is one of the places where their family can talk anything they want. At ngayon, si Marcus at ang ama nitong si Zander Young lang ang nanduon.

"How many times did our feelings failed us? Can you still count it with your bare hands? Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon tama ang nararamdaman ng mga tao. Look at us. We are fooled numerous times and you know how it feels like, son."

"Are you giving up?"

"Tell me how can't I give up, Marcus? We've been fooled, we paid millions for the wrong infos. You were almost got killed so does your mom! We did all what we can. Stop this. Hindi na sya babalik. I already let go of her."

"You're loosing your hope. I am dead serious. I saw her!"

"You what? Saw someone like us having blue eyes in common?! What a cliche evidence, Marcus! There are millions who has the blue eyes! You know what, let's move on! We need to accept that no matter how we would like to see her walk around, smile and laugh around the mansion with us, it'll never happen again."

"No. I won't give up."

"Don't be such a stubborn, Marcus Young! Wag mo ng dagdagan ang sakit na nararamdaman ng mommy mo! We are looking for her for the last 15 years pero walang nangyaring maganda! Even the hospital confirmed na madaming natupok na bangkay noon! No one survived the fire except you, your mom and few of the hospital staffs!" Hindi nito inaasahan ang biglang pagtaas ng boses ng kanyang ama. Hinilot nito ang kanyang sintindo bago umayos ng pagkakaupo.

"I wasn't expecting that it would come from you.." Tumawa sya ng mapakla at may himig ng paghihimutok. "I'll ask you one question, dad. Answer it honestly."

His father looked at him, puzzled. "I don't have too much time, Marcus. Ang atupagin mo, ang pagiging professor mo sa Yonsei!"

"I am doing well in Yonsei. That is why I am telling you an important matter." Seryoso ding tanong nito.

"Are you going to tell me things like you've seen someone who looked like Lindey physically? I'll tell you this again, madaming magkakamukha ang hindi magkakaanu-ano. Madaming taon na ang dumaan. Kung nabuhay man ang kapatid mo, tiyak magbabago ang----"

Marcus cuts his father off.

"Are you blaming me? Did you once blamed me because of my stubbornness? That if I wasn't that stubborn enough to run after your car, I wouldn't be hit in the middle of the road? Kung hindi ako nasagasaan hindi ako itatakbo sa ospital. Hindi din sana ilalabas ng bahay si Lindey kasama si mommy para lang isugod ako, hindi ba? Did it crossed your mind, dad? I was eight and Lindey is a year and a half. I was growing up while she was just starting to develop everything in her surrounding. I may be too young, but I remember everything. Tell me, dad. Sa akin mo ba sinisisi ang lahat? Kasi ako, oo. Sinisisi ko ang sarili ko. Na sana ako na lang. Diba? Sana ako na lang."

A tear scaped from his eyes, hindi nakaimik ang daddy nya at mataman lang sya nitong tinitignan, nakakuyom ang mga kamay.

"Answer me! Sinisisi mo 'ko, hindi ba?!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice on me, Marcus. Anak lang kita!" Marahil ay hindi napigilan ng lalaki ang sarili kaya napatayo sya at nasuntok ang anak. Napaatras ito at agad na hinimas ang pangang nasuntok ng ama.

"ZANDER!" Mula sa pinto ng library lumabas ang may bahay nito kasama pa ang dalawang binata.

"Pa!" Awat ng mga ito. Ang dalawa ay hinawakan sa magkabilang kamay si Marcus at inilayo dito at si Mrs. Young naman na pinakakalma ang asawa.