See You Again Stranger

Chapter 21 - Conflict

Sabrina's POV

Dad's condition got worst. His seizures scared me to death. Minamadali na ang pagtransfer sa kanya.

Dad is fighting for his life, still he didn't escape from the judging eyes of the public. He was labeled as the "Scammer " and many are filing cases against him.

Mom doesn't have a choice but to sell our properties. I'm all aware that medical expenses here are so expensive how much more if Dad's surgeries will be done in the US, right?

Gusto kong tumulong kay Mommy. I wanted to do my part. We talked the other night, gusto niya nga akong sumama sa US at doon na ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral. How is that even possible? It will only add to her expenses.

I've been thinking about it thoroughly. Nakapagdesisyon na ako. I decided to stay. This is the sacrifice that I'm willing to do. That way, Mom can just concentrate on taking care of Dad there. I don't know if how long they will stay there, but I'm willing to wait and sacrifice even if I will miss them terribly.

I just want to see Dad's smile again. I want to hear his voice, his laugh. All of him.

"Samuel, take care of my daughter, please!" Mom cried as she hugged me. I've been trying to hold my tears, but I can no longer stop them from falling. I will miss Mom and Dad.

Nasa airport na kami ngayon. Matagal ko ding niyakap si Dad, whispering him that he should go back here in the Philippines. Mom and Dad were scheduled to fly tonight. Together with the three doctors and three nurses to monitor Dad throughout the flight. Mabuti nalang at napapayag ko si Mommy na manatili ako dito. I will continue my studies, and just asked her one thing, to go back here in the Philippines with Dad.

"Call me every day. Always listen to your, Uncle. Don't be stubborn, okay?" Mom said, and she hugged me one last time before they boarded the plane.

It feels weird going home to our house after that. Years of our happy memories together were instantly replaced with pain and traumatic feeling. I came across to two police cars outside our house, iba pa ang mga bodyguards na binigay ni Tito Samuel sa akin.

Manang Fe went to me and help me pack my things. We're finally selling our house.

Nagising ako ng madaling araw. I had a bad dream! felt like I was brought back to that same night. I felt scared.

Slowly, our properties have been liquidated. Selling our house was quite emotional for me especially that I've grown up there and have a lot of memories but thinking of what had happened to Dad in that very same house. Then, I guess a new home will be much better.

Sa unang linggo ay doon ako tumira kina Uncle Samuel, but just recently, I decided to stay in one of our remaining properties. It's a single-story house located in a small subdivision, not so far from where I study. According to Uncle there is no interested buyer yet, so I decided to visit that place. It has a friendly neighborhood.

Kasama kong lumipat si Manang Fe, ang natitira nalang naming na house helper. Mom had to let go of our other house helpers and staff. It's a cost-cutting measure that Mom decided to do, but she made sure that they are well compensated, and she even recommend them to her friends.

Noong una ay ayaw pumayag ni Uncle ang desisyon kong humiwalay ng tirahan. He's worried about my safety, but I assured him that there are no threats for me anymore. The investigation was still ongoing, and the man who tried to kidnap me before confessed to the police that they are just planning a kidnap for ransom and nothing all. He dropped some names, and later the authorities were able to capture them.

Although, it's still a question kung sino nga yung bumaril kay Dad kasi tila kilala ni Dad iyon. Sana magising na nga si Dad para masabi na niya kung ano talaga ang totoong nangyari.