The Mischievous Lovers

PART 23: THIS ISN'T GOODBYE

(Erielle's POV)

I've been dragged into a private plane that sent me here in the states, unable to bid goodbye to my friends back in Manila. My eyes were swollen because I've been crying for three days. And I guess I've lost weight coz I never had an appetite knowing I'll be thrown into somewhere I don't really belong.

Mr. Delmundo gave me a new phone and instructed me not to call anyone except him and my mom. He said to cut the ties with all my friends in the Philippines so I could focus solely on my studies. It didn't felt right but all I could do is to obey. Mas maganda na nga siguro na mapalayo ako. Maybe it's the right thing to do para na rin makalimutan ko si Yuane. Forgetting someone you never had is really not an easy thing to do. Deymn!

"Mag-iingat ka dito anak. If you need anything, just give me a call. Okay?" My mom said while she hugged me tightly.

"Ma, don't worry about me. Nakalimutan mo na ba na tumira ako sa condo for four years. I am fine by myself." I said trying to convince her, but even myself could not believe my own words. How can I be fine? I uttered to myself.

"It's different this time Eriella. You are miles away from me. Wala kang kakilala dito. Gusto mo bang maghanap ako ng makakasama mo dito sa bahay?" Alalang tanong niya. "That's right. We should hire someone to do household chores for you while you are in the university."

"Ma naman eh. I'm okay. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Sige na, baka mainip na si Mr. Delmundo." Taboy ko sa kanya.

"Erielle, call him dad. You don't have to call him Mr. Delmundo."

"Ma, he will definitely won't like it. Baka sampalin niya ako pag tinawag ko siyang dad. You know how he hated me." I said kahit na nga alam kong naririnig ako ni Mr. Delmundo.

Pero nagulat ako nang magsalita ito. "You can call me dad."

"Take care here young lady." Dagdag pa nito na lalong ikinamangha ko. I could not believe that I'm hearing those words from him. Kaya naman kahit nakakunot ang noo nito, hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili na takbuhin ito at yakapin.

"Thank you po. Thank you po talaga... ahm...da-da- dad." I said stuttering.

He hugged me back. I felt the tenderness of that hug. For the very first time in my life, I felt complete. Lahat ata ng sama ng loob ko for my parents just faded away like a bubble in the air. All I could think of is that I have a dad and a mom now.

"I promise, I will study hard and make myself better. " I said teary-eyed.

"Remember, this is for your future so study hard and take care always." He said, his usual baritone voice changed with tenderness. "I'm sorry if you have to go through all these troubles. And about your friends, you will understand me in the future. But for now, I hope you'll do your best." Then he pat me on the head.

"Pasali naman ako sa yakap na yan." I heard my mom said as she hugged the both of us.

Bago sila umalis ay makailang beses nilang inulit lahat ng pinagbilin nila sa akin. Nakakarindi, pero I was happy. It was my very first time to feel the love and care from my parents. It was warm and gentle.

"Nakakatawa. Lahat ng sama ng loob ko, bigla na lang nawala dahil sa yakap na iyon. I'm so happy."

I deleted all my accounts in social media –Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I never really used those accounts in the first place. But, I really felt bad for not contacting my friends back in Manila. I know they're all worried about me. So, I started composing an email for Precy.