Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon

~19

“Before anything else, I’d like to tell you all something.”

Huminga ng malalim si Francis as he held the mic. Its now or never.

“12 years ago, I learned that its not proper to put your feet up when you eat on the table and that there’s more than a plate, spoon and fork as eating utensils. I was 9 then. And you all wonder, why? Si Francis dela Vega na galing sa isang buena de familia? Si Francis dela Vega who was born and raised in the US?”

   He glanced at the principal’s table at nakita niyang pinipigilan ng kanyang ama ang kanyang lolo na tumayo. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagtataka kung anong pinagsasasabi niya. Alam na nito kung anong tinutumbok niya.

   “Iyon ay dahil hindi ako pinanganak at lumaki sa ibang bansa.” A few people gasped but more were confused.

   “I didn’t know them until I was 9 dahil hindi tinuro sa akin iyon sa ampunan.” Nagkaingay sa loob ng ballroom hall at lahat ay talagang na sorpresa.

   “Francis, what are you doing???” galit na sabi ng matandang dela Vega.

   “Please, patapusin niyo po ako,” Francis pleaded. His dad held the old man and tried to make him sit.

“Papa, please. Hear him out.” Tinanguan siya ng kanyang ama upang magpatuloy at ngumiti sa kanya to tell him that he understood his decision and he supported him on it.

   Lalong nagsikip ang lalamunan ni Francis sa matinding emosyon pero kailangan niyang tapusin ang nasimulan. He went back to the podium and people fell silent.

   “Well, I’m not supposed to tell you that. It should have remained a family secret but it couldn’t be. I am not a dela Vega. My name is Francis Mikael Fernandez. ” He tried hard not to look at Ella’s direction. Josephine was with her and he didn’t know if she could hear what he was saying.

“Ngayong gabi na ito, I would have been officially pronounced as the sole heir and future CEO of dela Vega Empire. It is a great honor and I would very much want to show the people who trusted me that they didn’t make the wrong decision. But I have to decline.”

   Ella somehow heard him. Bumaba si Francis sa stage at hinarap and mga magulang and to her surprise, lumuhod ito sa harap nila.

“Mum, Dad, Lolo malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa inyo. Utang ko po sa inyo ang buhay ko. Kung hindi ninyo ako inampon, hindi ako kung sino ako ngayon. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo at hindi kayang tumbasan ng kahit na ano ang ibinigay ninyong pagmamahal sa akin bilang kapamilya.”  His tears fell on his face as he looked at them on their eyes. “Pero hindi ko po kayang talikuran ang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko po sinasadya at pinilit kong buharin. Pero hindi ko magawa. Mahal ko po si Ella.”

Hindi magawang makapagsalita ng kanyang lolo at nalugmok itong napaupo sa silya.

   She was stunned to hear his confession. Ang akala niya ay hindi siya mahal ni Francis. She thought she would never hear him say that again. Pagkatapos niyon ay lumapit si Francis sa kanya. She started to speak but he held her up. Again.

 “Its okay if you don’t feel the same way for me. Naiintindihan ko. Pero hindi ko kayang magpanggap na okay lang sa akin na maging kapatid mo. Isipin ko pa lang na balang araw makakakita ka ng lalaking gugustuhin mong makasama habang-buhay, parang gusto ko ng mamatay. Mas pipiliin ko na lang na lumayo.” He took her hands in his and kissed them. “I know I won’t forget you. It would be hard to live without you. Pero pipilitin kong mabuhay ng wala ka. I’m sorry for this mess.”

   He wiped his tears and turned his back on her, ready to leave.

“You never let me finish what I want to say. Sabi mo noon, when you come back you’ll listen to me even if it means it’ll break your heart,” sabi ni Ella.

He breathed in and turned to her. Hearing it would definitely kill him but a promise is a promise.

   He stared at the face that haunted his dreams for 5 years for the last time. At least, he would have something to look back to even if that last image was of her crying. Ella stepped forward and looked up to him.

“I only wanted to say I love you too. Mali man sa paningin ng lahat,oo, mahal kita. Noon hanggang ngayon. ”

“Mahal mo ko?” She took his breath away with what she said. Francis couldn’t believe it. He was prepared for the worst, not for the best.

   Nang tumango si Ella ay hindi niya napigilan ang sarili sa sobrang tuwa.

              With a laugh and cry, he held the most beautiful creature he ever set eyes on. Nothing felt so natural than to have her in his arms.This girl was his. Had always been his.

  She was made to fit into his arms. She didn’t feel more secure anywhere else than in them. This was where she belonged. And this guy was hers. Finally hers.

But they had to face their family first.

Francis caressed her cheek. Noon pa man ay may koneksyon na sila kahit hindi nagsasalita. They understood each other that much. Francis took her hand and held it firmly. Come what may, they would face it together.

As long as they have each other.