A Letter of Promise

Chapter 20

Matapos silang salubungin ng ama't ina ni Fervs ay dinala sila ng mga ito sa hapag kainan.

"I really don't feel stepping on my feet under your roof, not because I hate you but because I feel ashamed, but look at me together with my daughter, sitting in front of the family we used to treat as our enemy. Warmly welcomed by the people we used to shoo away without even a hint of dsigust. Given the fact that we hated you, still you did not hesitate to extend your hands and give help to people who doesn't even recognize you as who you really are." Nakayukong wika ng ina ni Ria.

"It's nothing. Really nothing. Understanding is the first thing my family taught to do. Hating something you don't really understand will just hurt you or even make you do things you should not do. I understand where the hate and anger came from." Nakangiting saad ng ama ni Fervs.

"But again and again, thank you for the big help. It was indeed a life saving. You even solved a problem that is actually ours to begin with." Tipid na ngumiti ang ina ni Ria.

"We honestly don't know this matter, even though we have investigators that are looking thorough; we never expected that vice mayor Ronquillo could do such thing. And it was our problem too, people think it was my family because of my wife being a polical rival." Sa pagbukas ng usaping iyon ay nagkatinginan sina Fervs at Ria.

"Just like what I promised you tita, I will prove our innocence. I don't want people badmouthing our family and I know that you know what I feel towards your daughter. It hurts my ego that whenever I am with your daughter, I can hear unwanted words as if I am one of those who killed your husband. " Malumanay na paliwanag ni Fervs.

"How did you know that it is Vice Mayor Ronquillo? How did you come up with these plans?" usisa ng ina ni Ria.

"I honestly don't know that it could be him, I started at scratch. I looked for all the names of people who were present on the Meeting De Avance, I assumed that there was a loophole left by the suspects. But there was none. Until I heard that Vice Mayor never attended the meetings and never agreed or disagreed about certain matters and projects. He was busy doing his own business that is why I look into it. And I noticed that if the case is about gambling and illegal drugs his name is always tagged. I also heard he wanted to be the replacement of your husband when he was still in coma." Dugtong ni Fervs na tila ba nabunutan ng tinik.

Nagpunas naman ng bibig si Ria at uminom ng tubig at nagsalita.

"From the start I never believed in you. I just take you pissing me off. I reall---" Ria was cut off by the loud sound of a closing door. Sabay-sabay namang napalingon ang lahat ng nasa hapag.

"What's wrong?" tumayo ang ina ni fervs at nilapitan ang kadarating lang na sina Clyde at Nathe.

"Ate Cecil told me that Ria and her mother are here, is it true?" hindi na nakasagot pa ang ina ni Fervs nang makita nina Clyde at Nathe sina Ria na nakatayo patungong sala.

"What's going on ma? Pa? Fervs? Naglalaro ka nanaman ba? And do you still think that our home is some sort of play ground?"bulyaw ni Nathe kay Fervs.

"Nathe, you watch your words. And calm yourself first." Singit ng kanilang ama.

"Why are you here?" Clyde calmly ask and looked directly at Ria, waiting for her reply. He does not look angry at all just curious.

"We had a problem--" pinutol naman agad siya ni Nathe.

"We don't solve other people's problems; we have enough problems to face.And the last time I check you don't need our help Ms. Maria Suanzares?" Diretsahang saad nito sa mataas na tono at makapal na boses.

"I told you to watch your words nathe. Do you know the whole story that you cut Ria's explanation? Is this how will you show your character? Is this how I raised you? Man up Nathe and stop being irrational." igting ang bagang ngunit malumanay paring saad ng ama ng tatlo.