Love Me, Hate Me (Chasing Dreams Series #1) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 57

I was shocked, but that doesn't even count if I were to compare my parents' reaction to mine. Tumayo si Kuya Marc at nilapitan sila. He was saying something, but they couldn't care less. Nasa akin lang ang kanilang atensyon.

"Mom, Dad, how did you two know!?" he looked at me and asked me to stand beside him.

Azure gently pushed me away. Napalingon ako sa kanya. Ngumiti siya at napansin ko ang pamumuo ng mga luha sa kanyang mga mata. He didn't say anything, but I knew he was so happy for me.

Itinuro ni Tita Melody ang direksyon ng aking mga magulang. Ang reaksyon niya at ng kanyang pamilya ay katulad ng kay Azure. This is the first time I've seen them smile genuinely.

My eyes heated up as I turned around to face the other direction. Naroon sa hamba ng pintuan ang pamilya ni Azure, si Maribel, at ang aking anak. Usually, Isla would call me, pero tahimik at nakatitig lang siya sa akin ngayon.

When I finally fixed my gaze at my parents, lumuluha na ang aking ama at muntik pang matumba ang hawak niyang tungkod. Umalalay 'agad si Kuya Marc. Salungat sa kanyang rekasyon, tulala at napako naman sa kinatatayuan ang aking ina.

Surprisingly, the movements of my feet are as light as the air. Para akong tinatangay ng hangin habang papalapit sa aking mga magulang. Sinalubong ako ng napakahigpit na yakap ni Daddy sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ko.

"Are you really my Maxine?" bumabaha ng luha at ang marinig ang pag-tangis ng sarili kong ama ang labis na nagpahabag sa akin.

I equaled his hug. Tuluyan akong bumigay nang idinikit niya ang noo niya sa akin. My father was crying so hard and knowing his condition, it really scared me.

"H-How did this happen when my baby died years ago? How?" nagpatuloy siya sa pag-iyak at lumapit na sa amin si Kuya Marc nang napansin niyang nahihirapang huminga ang aming ama.

"Dad, this is overwhelming but you have to take it easy. You just got out of your operation," nagawa niya kaming paghiwalayin, pero nananatiling nakahawak ng mahigpit sa kamay ko si Daddy.

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko gamit ang likuran ng aking palad. I met my mother's gaze as I looked up. Her eyes aren't bloodshot, but as soon as she blinked, tears immediately fell on her cheeks. She gasped for air and reached my hand. She was holding it so tight and it hurts me. Her other hand traced my eyes, my nose, my lips, and my cheeks as if she's memorizing every corner of my face. Panay ang punas niya sa kanyang mga mata dahil hindi nauubos ang luha niya. Hindi maikukubli ang sakit at pananabik habang tinitingnan niya ako.

"Of course it's you... Kamukha kita, anak, eh..." she hugged me and sobs wracked her body.

Calling me "anak" sent shivers all over my body. It sounded so genuine, sincere, and sweet because it came out from my mother's lips. My father was still holding my hand, and so I snaked the other around my mother's waist. Masakit na ang ulo at dibdib ko, but I was crying like a child and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Tila bumalik ako sa pagkabata na handang isumbong ang lahat ng hirap na dinanas ko, pati na ang pagkakataong ito na matagal nang ipinagkait sa akin ngayong nandito na ang aking ina. Parang naipon ang luha ko kahit na inakala kong wala na akong maiiyak pa.

Daddy joined. Ang kamay kong hawak niya kanina ay nakapulupot na rin sa baywang niya. Another set of hot tears pooled my eyes. Nanginginig na ang katawan ko sa labis na pag-iyak. I was weeping because my parents are finally here and the feeling of being wrapped by their arms will not be replaced with anything.

Kumapit ako ng maigi sa kanila dahil ayaw ko na silang mawalay pang muli sa akin. Sobrang saya ko talaga, but I'm terrified, too. I might wake up one day only to find out that I'm alone again.