Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon

~16

Naupo ulit si Ella habang lumipat naman si Francis sa kanyang harapan. Hindi nito binitawan ang kanyang kamay and her heart was beating wild. What could he possibly say to her that wouldn't hurt her?

 "I don't know if this is right or wrong. But I don't think that matters now, anyway. All I ever wanted before was to have a family. Gusto ko lang noon na may mauwian ako na pamilyang tatanungin ako kung anong nangyari sa araw ko. Yun lang. Nang dumating ako sa pamilya ninyo, you made me feel the luckiest human being. And I love this family a lot. "

"Francis, you don't have to explain this to me. I know how you love our family. Wh--What I said last night doesn't include this. This is clear to me." Nothing was ever clear to her than Francis’ devotion to their family. Kaya nga, kahit masakit sa kanya ay hindi siya papayag na hindi matuloy ang pagiging legal nitong dela Vega.

"No, it's not. You don't know how I feel about this whole thing." Francis looked at her in the eyes. "You don’t know how much I love you…not as my sister.”

   Would surprises ever stop coming? Parang nabura lahat ng iniisip ni Ella at napalitan ng isang malaking banner that says “HE LOVES YOU TOO!” with confetti and fireworks to match.

“What?” was all she could say.

 Francis released a big sigh to relieve the tension on his chest. “I’m not sure what to do. I’m only sure I feel something more than a brother should. Lumayo ako sayo dahil ang alam ko hindi tama iyon dahil magkapatid tayo. But now that…” he sighed one more time. “I just want you to know.”

   She couldn’t tell if she was crying because of joy or sorrow. Not even in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to hear that from him. She always thought it was one sided and it was all wrong. Well, sa mata ng tao,oo, dahil magkapatid sila sa sociedad. But by law and in the eyes of God they do nothing wrong. And she thought it would break their parents’ hearts. My God, now it’s so complicated!

“Yael---“

“Shhh…I don’t want to hear what you want to say for now. I’m not even sure kung tama ba itong ginagawa ko. I want something to come home to even if it means you’ll break my heart. But I have to go to the U.S. and do what I should. I’ll come back and by that time I’ll be sure.”

   She wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. Yes. There was no other way than to do this. Tumango - tango siya.

   “Daddy’s right. We’re both so young. Maybe you’ll change your mind.” Though I doubt mine will. “This is so confusing and I don’t know what to think right now. I think we should give it some time. I’ll tell you what I think when you come back.”

   He held her hands in his and they stared at each other’s eyes.

“4 years…” he said.

“4 years…”