Hazel's Sweet Revenge

Kabanata 20

*** Hazel's ***

And Stay Strong

Mom and I rented a hotel room in Manhattan, just near the publishing company I'm about to do an internship with. Susunduin sana kami ni dad pero gabi na kami dumating, hindi na pumayag si mommy.

I tried to facetime Sab pero hindi ito connected, so I ended up sending her a message. Pagod na rin kami sa biyahe kaya pagkatapos mag-dinner sa first floor ng hotel ay nakatulog agad ako.

On my first and second day, binisita ko sina daddy sa townhouse nila sa Brooklyn while mom visited a few of her friends bago kami lumipat sa mas malaking apartment.

"My princess..." Daddy hugged me so tight! Hinalikan niya rin ako sa noo bago ko nakita si Charles na lumabas mula sa pinto kasama si tita Jasmin.

"Ate!" I quickly embraced Charles and showered him with butterfly kisses all over his adorable little face.

"I missed you, munchkin." My brother is seven years old already, but I still carry him in my petite arms.

"We missed you darling!" Si tita Jasmin naman ay niyakap ako.

"We prepared a little feast inside. Welcome home, sweetheart."

"Thanks tita." She gave me a kiss on my left cheek. Si daddy na ang nagbuhat ng pasalubong ko sa kanila habang naka-akbay na si tita Jasmin. Si Charles naman ay hinihila na ang kamay ko papasok.

I'm so happy to finally see them kaya pina-ulanan ko ng pictures lalo na si Charles. Some of them I sent to Sab.

Marami rin kaming napag-usapan ni tita Jasmin. She has already mastered few words in Filipino, pero hindi pa ito bihasa sa pagsasalita. She's like Sab's cousin.

Dad and I were just discussing the internship, and he expressed his pride by saying that the company would help to advance my professional career.

And because I missed my brother so much, aside from his stories and the pictures he showed me during their travels, I also had fun playing Just Dance and Fortnite on his PlayStation 4.

Nakulangan ako ng oras kasama sila, but I made a promise that I'd spend more time with them as soon as my internship is done.

Pauwi ako nung tumawag si Sab sa akin.

"I saw the pictures, Charles is like your male version." Simula nito.

"I missed you love. Binisita ako ni papa kahapon kaya hindi agad ako nakatawag sayo."

"It's okay." Napanatag ang loob ko nang tumawag siya. "I missed you more."

I've been to New York countless times, but it's still a different feeling compared to being home. Honestly, I never felt so calm and at peace when I heard her voice again. It's like I'm still at home, even if we're miles away from each other. Her voice brought me home.