“Okay tayo diba?” I asked Archer, I was in my pajamas, watching him pack his bag for training.
Nginitian niya ako at tumango.“Hindi naman tayo si Brent at Elin.” He kissed my forehead, grabbing his keys by the door.
Pero ang hirap maniwala na okay kami, dalawang linggo mula nung nasaktan ko sila mama, Archer started to act funny around me.
And I know that something was bothering him.
Which is why, I'm here, in Tito Brent's office, waiting for him to be available.
“Ms. Ileia, pwede na po kayo pumasok.” I nodded at Ate Jess, Tito's secretary.
Ngiti ang binungad sa akin ni Tito Brent, he even stood up to give me a small hug. “Hi Tito, sorry po sa abala.”
Tito waved his hand and smiled at me. “Wala 'yon. Ano bang gusto mong pag-usapan? Is it about the condo?” umiling ako.
“About my mom po sana,” I said, biting my lip and waiting for his reaction. Akala ko magagalit o maiinis si Tito Brent, but his smile didn't falter.
“What about Elin?” he casually asked, as if they were old friends.
“Tito, the first break-up, was it because of distance?”
Umiling si Tito Brent. “I love your mother, so much.” he said, with sadness in his eyes. Niluwagan niya rin ang necktie niya. “Si Elin, maalaga yan, mabait, kapag mahal ka niya ipaglalaban ka niya and she would do her best to make you happy.” nakangiting sabi ni Tito Brent.
“So if it wasn't the distance Tito, bakit po kayo naghiwalay?”
Tito Brent smiled again, but he stared at their family picture. Napangiti ako, bata pa si Archer dito. “I love my family,” Tito Brent whispered. “But I did regret letting Elin go the first time.” he bit his lip, running his hand through his hair. “But I was young, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before Elin transfers to La Salle to be with me. Ganoon kasi magmahal ang mama mo, isasakripisyo niya pati kasiyahan niya, if I didn't transfer to UST baka nauna silang kinasal ni CJ.”
“What do you mean tito? Akala ko triny niyo pa?” I was confused, what does Tito Brent mean by that?
“We did, 4 more times.” he smiled at me. “But they got married, we didn't. Sa simula palang compatible na sila.” his eyes showed regret and longing. “Elin was the best thing in my life, before Archer, Agustin and Atalia. Alam ni Syd yon. She knows that Elin was the love of my life, and she accepted that, the way your dad accepted that a part of us will always love each other. Your dad waited 15 years for your mom, I didn't. Isang taon nga na long distance hindi ko kinaya.”
“Hindi ko po alam na ganon 'yun.”
Tito Brent chuckled. “Elin would never make me the villain in her story, she loves me.” pagmamayabang ni Tito Brent. “And, I love her. God knows how much I do. But I also love my family, I love Sydney, so what's the point of dwelling in the past? Alam ko na mahal ako ni Elin at alam niya na mahal ko siya, pero may mga bagay na hanggang dun nalang. Hindi dahil mahal mo, kayo hanggang sa dulo. May pagmamahal na tinatago sa pinakailalim, masakit sa una, pero habang tumatagal, masasanay ka hanggang magiging payapa na.” Tito Brent gave me a small smile. “Mahal ko si Elin, Ileia, but my relationship with Sydney? Our kids, our life? I would never do anything to throw it all away.”
“Okay ka lang?” Archer asked, ngumiti ako. Niyakap ko siya, mahigpit. “Lei?” he asked.
I didn't say anything, I closed my eyes and I felt him kiss the top of my head. “I went to your dad,” mahinang sabi ko. “I asked him about mama.”
“Did it satisfy your curiosity?”
“I messed up, big time.”
He chuckled. “That, you did.”
“Arch,” I called, he hummed. “I love you, I love you so much.”
“I know,” he replied. “Mahal din kita, Lei.”
“I'm sor—” he cut me off. “Go try, alam ko naman.” kumunot ang noo ko. “UP.”
My breath hitched. “Arch, malayo.”
He cupped my cheeks and stared into my eyes. “Hindi tayo si Brent at Elin, I know UP is your dream school, alam ko na you tried for UPCAT and you passed. Alam ko rin na ako yung reason why you chose UST, okay na sa akin na triny mo, okay na sa akin na you wanted to be with me, but I want you to be truly happy, Lei. Get good grades and transfer next year.”
“Paano ka?” I asked, ayokong malayo sakanya, but UP was my dream, it always is.
“Ako pa rin si Archer na mahal na mahal ka.”
YOU ARE READING
Our Own Way
Fanfiction"My mom doesn't hate you, Arch. She hates that she's watching herself and tito Brent through us and she's scared that we'd end up the same way as they did." > In which Brent and Elin tried their best to make it work. But when the world doesn't want...
