A/N: For VPLR's birthday!
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"I have a good news for you!" She exclaimed. "I'm getting married!"
He was flabbergasted, he felt like a bucket of cold water was poured into his body. "Why?"
"Huh? Because Niño proposed to me already?" She answered.
"Ay yawa! Alam ko man yan! Magpropose sa'yo kaya magpakasal ka. What I mean is why so suddenly?" He rephrased his question.
She sighed, "Matagal pa naman po bago ang kasal."
"I want to talk to Niño first." He stated.
"Nice because I actually have another good news for you." She hinted.
"Don't tell me you're pregnant?! Barilin ko man yang Niño na yan—"
"Nooo! I'm not pregnant!" She cut him off.
"Eh ano man yan good news mo pang isa?" He asked again.
"We're coming home next week!" She beamed.
He suddenly can't move, it is a very good news indeed, he cannot wait to see her again, but there's one thing that he's afraid of, "Um what about your mama? Is she coming home too?"
"Yes po papa." Katja, Rody and Leni's daughter answered.
Rody's heart beats faster, he's finally gonna see his mag-ina again after 20 years. "That's — um nice, good."
Katja knew the current status of her mom and dad's relationship is still sour but she gotta act fast, she need to help them patch everything up. She want them to be together again before her wedding day. "Pa, I want you both in my wedding ha."
Rody and Leni were married for 11 years already when things got worse. They were too focused on their own careers, her on SALIGAN and him being the City Mayor. They were both too busy making sure that they were fulfilling their responsibilities, too busy that it came to a point where they didn't have the time to have a good conversation. Having this kind of setup caused a lot of arguments and fights that they opted not to resolve properly. He began seeking for other people's attention until he met Honeylet, who later on became his mistress and got her pregnant.
Leni found out that her husband was cheating on her, she was devastated. They've had a confrontation that led him to ask for annulment. She was speechless, she didn't know it would led to such. Weeks later, Leni applied for an annulment. She knew it was the best thing to do. Then, they got annulled. Leni decided to leave the country for US bringing the 10-year old Katja back then. They stayed there for almost 20 years making Rody miserable each day.
On the other hand, Rody continued to be a father to Katja even if they're miles away from him. He gets to see her every day through video calls and update each other through text messages and viber. He gets to see her every September and January too as they went home in Naga for the Peñafrancia Festival and New Year. He made sure that he's free on those dates that she's in the country so he can spend time with her. He made sure that he's on her side while she's growing up although he and Leni aren't on speaking terms.
"Pa? Are you still there?" Katja spoke bringing Rody back to reality.
"Huh? Um yes yes nak. Ano man yun?" He stammered.
"Sabi ko I want you and mama in my wedding." She reiterated.
"Um yes, anak. I will be there." He agreed.
Katja squealed on the other line, she was ecstatic. "I'm so excited to see you papa."
He smiled, "I'm excited to see you too, anak. Ilang days ka magstay sa Naga bago man tayo magkita? Ilibot kita dito sa Davao or wherever you want."
"Um yun na nga papa eh, I have a favor to ask sana." Katja uttered.
"Anything for you anak." He committed.
"Can you join us in Naga?" She dropped.
"Huh? Ako? Sa Naga? Teka lang—"
"Please please please papa! Please say yes." She pleaded. She knew she needed to use more of her charms to made him say yes.
He sighed, "Alam mo man na hindi kami ayos ng mama mo diba? Baka sakalin ako nun pag makita nya ako. Dito nalang tayo magkita sa Davao ba o gusto mo man sunduin kita sa Maynila."
"I asked mama about this, she said okay lang naman daw if you stayed in Naga for a couple of days. Plus Mommy Sally will agree too, favorite ka nun eh." Katja negotiated.
"Are you sure about that Katja? Pumayag mama mo?" He asked.
"Yes papa, she said okay lang daw basta para sa wedding ko. I told her kasi na I want you to be part of my wedding preparations too. Gusto ko malaman if aling locations ang maganda for the photoshoot. So please pumayag ka na pa." Katja explained. They will be visiting some areas in Bicol for the photoshoot and she really wanted her dad to be with them too. Plus it would be a nice timing for her parents to bond.
"O sige na. I will be there." He finally agreed.
Katja cheered, "Yay! I love you papa!"
He smiled, he would do everything she ask for, "I love you too, anak. Can't wait to see you."
"We're coming home to you, papa."
To be continued...
💙💛
