Deprived

Deprived 4

Friend Request

"WHAT change your mind Abuelo? I thought matagal niyo na kaming itinakwil?" Hindi pa rin kasi ako makapaniwala na may ipapamana sila saakin.

"Apo ka pa rin namin Gabriela. And the Salcedo blood runs in your veins. You have the same equal rights like your brothers- I mean cousins with the family's fortune." Imbes na si Lolo ang sumagot ang asawa niya ang nagsalita.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit wala pa rin akong nararamdaman na amor sa kanya. Siguro ay matagal lang talagang nanalatay sa dibdib ko ang tampo at galit sa kanila.

"I'm sorry for what I did iha. Please forgive your abuela hmm?" She held may hand again. Hinimas niya iyon. Hindi ko iyon binawi katulad ng ginawa ko kanina.

Binigyan ko siya ng isang pilit na ngiti. Hindi lang siya dapat saakin humingi ng tawad, kundi pati na rin dapat kay Dad.

"You called my dad a bastard. You watched me grasp for air! You were there when we suffered the most but did you help? No! You did not! I almost died if it wasn't for the kind doctor! I-I almlost d-died r-right infront of your e-eyes!"

"Gabriela anak!" Pigil saakin ni Dad.

"My Dad h-he deserves your apology. H-he sacrificed a lot to raise me! He suffered a-a lot to keep me alive! H-he's slowly killing himself from working too much j-just to f-feed me a-atleast twice a day! Seńorita, isang tanong isang sagot. Did you asked for my Dad's forgiveness dahil mapapatawad lang kita if you begged for him. Don't you think he atleast deserve that?" Namumula na naman ang mata ng matanda. Para bang iiyak na naman siya.

Tumango siya saakin at naglakad papunta kay Dad.

"I'm sorry you're right! Ang dami kong pagkakamali sa inyo! I was just blinded by jelousy because of Ayanna."

"Franco, anak...." nagulat ang lahat pati ako ng biglang lumuhod ang matanda.

"Mama! Tumayo kayo diyan ano ba-" naputol ang sasabihin ni Tito Fernando ng humagulgol ang matanda. Si Dad naman ay yumuko pilit na tinatayo ito.

"Seńorita, tumayo na kayo." Mas lalong lumakas ang palahaw nito.

"Oh my Lord what have I done?! Franco I'm your mother! Call me Mama! Please! I'm so sorry for my ignorance before! Sobrang nasaktan lang ako when you chose Ayanna that woman over me! Over your father! Over our family. I.... I got so jelous dahil kung baliwalain mo ang opinion namin ay parang ganon na lang! I regret e-everything I have said!Patawarin mo ako anak!"

"It wasn't Ayanna's fault Mama. It was never her fault." I thought Dad was the one who said that but I was wrong. It was Tito Francisco! I was confused, anong connection niya kay Mom? Were they close? Agad nawala sa isip ko ang mga katanungan when Dad kneeled down infront of Seńorita.

He pat and kissed his mother's head. Niyakap niya ang matanda which somehow pinched my heart. Napakabuti talaga ng puso niya. Because I know right there and then napatawad niya na ang kanyang Mama.

I flinched ng biglang may tumapik sa likod ko. Nilingon ko ito. It was Abuelo! He was handing me a handkerchief. Doon ko lang napansin na tumutulo na pala ang mga luha ko.

Tinanggap ko iyon. My Lolo gave me a sweet smile and embraced me. His embraced was very warm. It was full of love and acceptance.

"Forgive our shortcomings apo. I promise, me and your Abuela will make it up to you." He whispered. Wala akong nagawa kundi tumango at lumuha. My heart felt so light after so many years.