Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 41: Love Changed Him

Gwen's POV

"Magpapakasal na po kami ni Gwen, tito."

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Aaron na kanina ko pa hawak. We were in front of my dad and mom para ipaalam sa kanila na engaged na kami ni Aaron.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Aaron nung hindi sila sumagot. Mom looked at dad's reaction.

Nag-ipon ako ng lakas ng loob bago nagsalita. "I know this is so sudden, dad. But I want to be honest with you. Mahal parin po namin ang isa't-isa. I love Aaron, dad. We decided to get married the second time around at ikaw ang gusto namin na unang makakaalam."

Aaron pulled me closer to him. He planted a kiss on my head. He had been so sweet since we got engaged. I was aware that my parents were just looking at us.

"Ako wala akong tutol sa inyo. Mukhang mahal niyo naman ang isa't-isa. Ang dami niyo ng pinagdaanan pero kayo parin talaga sa huli. I don't want to ruin the love that you both have and sang-ayon ako sa kasal because I want a complete family for Gwen and Rosetta," mom said after a long silence.

"Thank you, tita. I will not disappoint you this time. Aalagaan ko po sila."

Ngumiti si mommy kay Aaron. Napatingin kami kay dad na ngayon ay hindi parin nagsasalita. He might be contemplating.

"Dad..."

He sighed and finally spoke, "Kung sasabihin ko bang ayoko, itutuloy niyo parin?"

Natigilan kami sa sinabi ni dad. Aaron squeezed my hand that made me look at him. His eyes were so strong that I could instantly get what he meant. It was a strong connection that love could do for us —yung simpleng tinginan lang ay maiintindihan na namin ang isa't-isa.

"Yes. I am sorry, tito, but I will marry your daughter no matter." Aaron looked at me after he said those. "We have our second chance and I don't want it to slip away. Mahal na mahal ko po si Gwen."

"Pero hindi kita gusto para sa kanya."

"Garret," saway ni mommy kay dad.

Dad could be straightforward sometimes. Nag-aalala akong tumingin kay Aaron. He looked hurt but he had to keep going.

"Okay lang po, tito. I understand. I will just do anything I could to prove to you that I am deserving of your daughter. If it takes a lifetime for me to prove that to you then be it. Just let me marry her."

Napailing ako. "No, Aaron," hindi ko pagsang-ayon saka bumaling kay dad. "We are just letting them know. I respect you, dad, that's why we are here. But even if you say no, we will still push through."

Nagulat ako nung natawa si dad saka tumingin sa akin ng may paghahanga. "You are really a Hughes. Nagtuloy-tuloy narin ang pagiging matapang mo. Pero sa tingin ko, wala namang point ang decision ko dito. Magpapakasal parin naman kayo."

Tumango ako. "I hope you understand, dad. We will just update you about the wedding plans." Tumayo na kami ni Aaron saka naman umiwas ng tingin si dad. "Aalis po muna kami," paalam ko.

Hindi parin si dad tumingin. Mom was left worried. "Saan na kayo titira ng apo ko? Pag kinasal na kayo, aalis na ba kayo dito?"

I looked at Aaron before I answered my mom. "We decided to buy a house for us. Pero don't worry, mom. Rosetta and I will still be staying here until the wedding day so you will have time to accept and adjust."

Nalungkot ang mukha ni mommy. "Hindi ba pwedeng dito nalang kayo? Malaki naman itong bahay para sa amin ng dad mo."

Tumawa ako ng mahina. "That cannot be, mom. Knowing dad and Aaron's situation, mukhang hindi pwede ang ganyan."