A Way To Your World

Chapter 40

AWTYW - World

My heart was clenching with pain as I zipped my bag. This is what I've decided. My heart hurts but something inside me felt free. I felt hurt and guilty, but I do not regret what my heart really wanted to say to them.

It was already morning, I didn't get to sleep properly at night for what Mom and I have talked about. Hindi ko na nagawang makausap si Dad dahil pinagpahinga na ako ni Rantz matapos ang naging usapan nila. I didn't pry to what they have talked about because my heart couldn't take another painful word from them. Hindi rin naman nagtanong si Rantz na parang alam na niya ang naging desisyon ko at sinabihan na ihahatid niya ako pabalik sa Pamma.

I heard a knock from my door as I saw Manang Cynthia opening it with her eyes a bit swollen.

"Sigurado ka na talaga riyan, hija?" She asked as she came closer to me.

Tumango naman ako at niyakap ang tumayong nanay at tatay sa amin ni Rantz. "Thank you so much, Manang Cynthia. Babalik pa rin naman po ako. I'll just give Mom and Dad some space for a while." I patted her back as I heard her subtle sobs.

"Hindi ko naman pinag-aalala na hindi ka babalik, Flo. Nalulungkot lang ako kasi parang kailan lang noong hirap na hirap kitang nakikita na gawin ang lahat mo para sa kanila at ngayon ay nakikita na kitang gumagawa ng desisyon para naman sa ikabubuti mo."

Ngumiti naman ako ng malungkot sa kanya.

"I'll miss you again, Manang Cynthia. Thank you for your unconditional love to me and to my family. I'm happy that you became my Nanay," I said as tears flow from my cheeks as I was so grateful for all the years she had been with us.

"Ano ba iyan, Flo. Parang hindi ka na babalik, e. Pumunta ako rito para sabihin na nandiyan na ang kambal mo, pero pinaiyak mo na naman ako," natatawang sinabi ni Manang nang maghiwalay kami ng yakap at saka niya pinunasan ang mga luha niya.

Matapos ang naging usapan namin ni Manang ay lumabas na kami ng kwarto ko dala-dala ang mga iba kong gamit pabalik. Rantz was already waiting for me downstairs and just smiled at me before taking my bag from me.

"Rantz... can I have a minute?" I said and glanced at the door to Dad's study room.

Napatingin naman siya roon at saka tumango. Sinabihan naman niya akong ilalagay na muna niya ang gamit ko sa sasakyan niya.

And as I was walking towards Dad's study room, my hands were trembling a bit when I knocked on his door. When he gave the permission to come in, gano'n na lamang din kabilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba. This will be my first time talking with Dad after what happened last night with the Cliffords. By now, I know that he already knew about my decision, probably because of Mom.

Inangat lamang niya ang ulo niya sandali sa akin bago binalik ang tingin sa laptop niya. I was just standing there in front of his table not knowing how to start talking with him.

"If this is about last night, Flo, don't bother explaining," he said while his eyes were still fixed in front of his laptop.

Napalunok naman ako. "I just want to apologize for what I have caused to our family and Ash's."

Napataas naman ang isang kilay ni Dad at napaangat ng tingin sa akin.

"If you're really sorry for what happened, take back what you've said to them," he said firmly that made me taken aback.

Napayuko na lamang ako at hindi nakapagsalita.

"See? Panindigan mo ang desisyon mo, Flo. If you're sorry for it, then marry Ash. But as you have already made your decision, make sure that you would seek responsibility for what you have said and done. That's not how supposedly a Rodriguez is," he said that made me suddenly looked at him with surprised.