Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 34: Dad's Consent

Gwen's POV

"No."

Dad gave me a serious look. I had been convincing him to let Aaron see Rosetta.

The truth was, I had a little hope na pumayag si dad. Alam ko na dati pa kung gaano siya katutol sa ideang ito. We actually both agreed to this but now, I was afraid of what might happen to Aaron, so I changed my mind. Alam kong mahihirapan akong kumbinsihin si dad. It would not be easy but but I had to try.

"Dad, ayaw niyo bang maging masaya ang apo niyo? Don't you want her to meet her father?"

Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni dad. "Wag mong magamit sa akin ang linyang yan, Gwen. Luma na yan at hindi na uubra sa akin."

Napalunok ako. I couldn't make him change his mind, could I?

"Bakit si Kuya Geron, may kasalanan siya kay Ate Samira pero bakit pinatawad parin siya nito? Hindi rin niya pinagkait kay kuya ang makilala ang anak nila."

Napailing si daddy sa sinabi ko. "Their situation is different from yours. Sa kanila, walang alam ang kuya mo sa nangyari. Samira was the one who kept it from us. While for both of you, you both lied to us especially you."

Hindi parin talaga ako napapatawad ni daddy. Nandoon parin ang sama ng loob sa puso niya at nakatatak parin sa isip niya ang maling ginawa ko.

I sadly looked at him.

"Daddy... Hindi niyo parin ba ako napapatawad? I am doing everything, dad. I can apologize to you everyday if that's what it takes for you to completely forgive me."

Dad was silent for a moment. He looked like he was contemplating on something. He was not looking at me when he spoke. "Your mom knows how much I tried to forget everything. I tried really hard, Gwen, para bumalik sa dati ang sigla sa pamilya natin. Malapit na sana ako doon eh, but here you go again opening the topic about that bastard I loathed so much. Bumabalik na naman ang alala ko na ginawa ninyo." Dad shook his head. "Pero gusto kitang patawarin dahil mahal na mahal kita. You're my princess. You're my bunso. But as for Aaron, magdusa siya. He needs to climb a high wall before he can get in to me."

What dad said made me smile. I smiled knowing his love for me was bigger than his hatred. But I felt bad for Aaron. Kailan pa kaya siya papayagan ni daddy na makita si Rosetta?

"I know, dad. I know that, and I completely understand where you are coming from. But this is not just about me and Aaron. This is also about Rosetta. I am thinking it is time for her to know her father kahit ano man ang kasalanan nito sa atin. She deserves to know her root. Hindi man siya nagtatanong ngayon tungkol sa ama niya, but I'm sure that someday she will. I think na mas mabuting ngayon na niya malaman kesa dumating ang araw na mahihirapan na akong ipalawinag at ipaintindi sa kanya ang totoo." I used a low tone of voice for him to grasp every word I said.

Biglang napaisip si dad. It looked like he was considering it. But after a few seconds, hindi parin siya nagsalita. Wala kong narinig na kahit ano mula sa kanya.

He put his hands inside his pockets and sighed. He looked at the view of the city through the glass window here in his office.

Nagsalita na ako dahil parang wala namang balak magsalita si daddy. "Magkikita silang mag-ama, dad. Sorry, but I think, as Rosetta's mom, this is the right thing to do. I hope you understand, dad. Isa ka ding magulang. I'm sure ayaw mo rin kaming lumaki na may kulang sa pagkatao namin."

Hindi ko alam kung saan ko kinukuha ang lakas ng loob ko na sabihin iyon kay dad. I was not like this, but I had to be like this for the sake of Aaron.

Hindi parin nagsalita si dad at patuloy lang na nakatingin sa malayo. I sighed as a sign of giving up. Mukhang wala na siyang balak na magsalita pa. I guessed this was the end of our conversation. Atleast nasabi ko na sa kanya ang gusto kong sabihin at pinaalam ko sa kanya ang pagkikita ng mag-ama, so he wouldn't accuse me na tinago ko ito from him.