Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 36

Chapter 36: "Decide what makes you happy and fight for it."

I couldn't stop wringing my hands while waiting for Vince's family to arrive. Maaga kaming gumising para sunduin sila sa airport dahil ngayon ang dating nila mula sa Amerika. Kinakabahan ako dahil hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksiyon nila pagkakita sa akin. Alam ni ninang Consuelo ang totoo pero hindi kung alam din ba nina tito. 

I was snapped out of my anxiety when Vince held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Tumingala ako sa kanya. Pakiramdam ko ay nawala lahat ng alalahanin ko sa ngiti na ibinigay niya sa akin. It was the kind of smile that could take away all my problems, a reassuring one.

It was hard not to smile back. Niyakap ko ang braso niya at mas dumikit pa sa kanya. His mere presence was more than enough to give me comfort. 

"Vince! Chela!"

"Ninang!" 

Niyakap niya kaming dalawa ni Vince. Then she turned to me. "I believe you should call me 'mommy' from now on." My face turned red. "Welcome to our family, hija. Finally, you're officially a part of us now."

"Thank you po, m-mommy." 

Muli niya akong niyakap. "I'm so happy, hija. You just don't know how much," she whispered in my ear. Hinaplos pa niya ang pisngi ko. 

"Where's dad? Grandma and Missy?"

"They're just right behind m- there they are!"

Mabilis na yumakap si Vince sa kanila. Mahigpit pa niyang niyakap si lola Constancia. Pagkatapos ay bumaling siya sa akin.

"Come here, sweety."

Inakbayan ako ni ninang at iginiya palapit sa mga taong nakatitig sa akin. I couldn't tell what they were thinking. Then my anxiety flew away when Missy suddenly ran to me and hugged me.

"I missed you, ate Chela! It's so nice to see you again!"

My smile grew bigger. "I missed you, too, Missy. You've grown beautifully." She looks like a walking barbie. She's so beautiful.

"Can I give the new member of our family a hug?" said tito with a kind smile that he had always given me. Isang mahigpit na yakap ang ibinigay niya sa akin. "At last, you and Vince."

"Thank you so much, ti- daddy."

He chuckled. "Now I have two daughters."

Lumapit si Vince at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Iginiya niya ako kay Lola Constancia na matamang nakatingin sa akin. 

"Grams, my wife, Chela."

A smile slowly appeared on lola Constancia's face as she spread her arms for a hug. I was filled with so much happiness. Naiiyak ako habang yakap ni lola.

"I'm glad you're okay, Chela." Napatuwid ako ng tuyo. She rubbed my back. "I know, hija. I know everything."

Isang masayang salo-salo ang pinagsaluhan namin sa mansiyon. Lumipat na kami ni Vince sa Golden Village. After dinner, we had tea and chatted some more. Si Missy ay halos ayaw ng humiwalay sa akin. She had so much fun stories to share.

"You know ate, to be honest, I felt bad when you suddenly left kuya."

Natigilan ako. "Nagalit ka ba sa akin?" mahinang tanong ko.

Humiga siya ng patagilid sa kama namin ni Vince. "Yes. I got mad because I saw how much it affected kuya. But mom told me that I shouldn't feel that way towards you because you have a valid reason for leaving."