Hidden Identity

Epilogue

5 years later

"It feels good to be home" sabi ko sabay langhap sa hangin na ilang taon kong hindi natamasa.

"Kuya!" Bigla yumakap sa akin ang kapatid ko.

"Makayakap ka naman akala mo ang tagal nating hindi nagkita eh kada bakasyon mo naman pumupunta ka sa Korea" natatawang saad ko.

"Grabe kuya hindi ka na ba pwede mamiss? Bakit may iba na ba na pwede makamiss sa iyo?" mataray na tanong ni Jayda.

"Wala ah! Self love it is. Ikaw lang prinsesa ko eh"

"Bolero ka talaga kuya ano?"

"Hahaha tara na nga baka naghihintay na sila mommy sa bahay"

Masaya kaming bumyahe papunta sa rest house namin sa tagaytay. It has been 5 years and many things had change. Good thing that change was for the betterment of everyone. Well having change was scary at first especially if you have no idea if its going to be your way or not.

"Welcome back anak" salubong sa akin ng parents namin.

"Its good to be back here" nakangiting sabi ko.

"And we are glad that you will now stay for good"

"This is my home. So I'll always go back here"

"Thank you for granting my request son"

"Basta ikaw dad and besides gusto ko na kayo makasama"

"So kuya hindi ka na aalis?" masayang tanong niya.

"Baka bukas umalis ako" pang-asar na banat ko.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka na aalis kuya?"

"Bakit? Hindi ko ba pwede makita mga kaibigan ko? It's been 5 years sis and of course miss ko na rin kakulitan ng mga yon"

"Busy pa mga iyon kuya"

"Huh?" Takang tanong ko.

"They went for an out of town anak, baka next week pa sila bumalik"

"Ay ganon po ba?" I faked a smile.

"I'll update you anak kapag nakabalik na sila. Gusto mo ba magpaparty?"

"Hindi na po. Pahinga na po muna ako"

I smiled before heading to my room. I admit na nakakalungkot kasi isa rin sila sa dahilan kung bakit ako excited makabalik ng Pilipinas but yeah we are not young anymore and we've got many responsibilities to take now. 

"Locked?" Takang tanong ko pagkapihit ng doorknob.

I was surprised when the door suddenly opened.

"Surprised braaaad!"

"Anak ng!" napasigaw ako sa gulat.

"Akala mo talaga nagout of town kami? Kelan pa kami nagplano ng out of town na wala ka?" Natatawang sigaw ni Dave.

"Mga siraulo! Akala ko wala talaga kayo mga hanep kayo!" Sigaw ko sa kanila.

"Mawawala ba naman kami sa araw na darating dito ang kaibigan namin? Syempre hindi aba! Ang tagal kaya namin hinintay itong araw na ito" sabi ni Dwight.

"Mga loko! Kay mommy niyo ba naman ipasabi paanong hindi ako maniniwala eh nanay ko yun!" Sabay batok kay Dave.

"Syempre alam namin na maniniwala ka sa nanay mo kaya nga sa kanya namin pinasabi kasi kapag kami di ka maniniwala hahahaha" sabay sabay naman sila nagtawanan ng malakas.

"Mga loko! Wala pa rin kayo pinagbago! Limang taon na ako nagstay sa Korea ganyan pa rin kayo nako!" Bulyaw ko sa kanila.

"Ano pa hinihintay niyo? Let's get the party started!" Sigaw ni James.

"Woooooh"

"Ano na? Ang babagal niyo naman!" Sigaw ni Dwight.

"Sugod na!" Sigaw naman ni Dave sabay talon sa pool.

And that day was splendid! It was a fantastic welcoming!

It's so hard to find friends that will stay true to you no matter what. Masyado mapanlinlang ang buhay at kailangan mo maging mapagmasid kung gusto mo malaman kung sino ang totoo at hindi. The world is that tricky. As we get old, reality will hit us that it is better to have a few real friends than many fake ones.

Looking back at everything that happened, many things have changed. And everything that happened before played a great role into molding us into who we are right now. Things were rough but future never failed to place it back to where things are supposed to be. Never did I thought of regretting every moment that came into my life. I take it as a blessing in disguise to know what are the things that needs to be improved. A year is already long enough for a person to change. No matter how hard, how rough, how painful , and how challenging life can be always remember that you got yourself in every situation. Choose yourself first always before anything else. As what other people say, it's okay to lose others than to lose yourself. Make every minute memorable for you can only treasure memories. Every thing else will leave but not the thought that remains in your heart. Be brave. Even if you feel like being alone, be brave. Trust yourself most of all. Cheer up! You are getting there little by little.

END