The Arcane Pendant

10

Nagsinghapan ang lahat ng marinig ang sinabi ni Papa. I can see the joy in their faces when they heard what my Father said. Nag-lapitan ang mga tao doon, upang kamustahin ako. Tanging pagtango at pagngiti lamang ang nagawa kong sagot sa kanila. I'm not in the proper state to chat with them, I'm still confused.

"These people are your aunties and uncles, sila pa lamang ang nakakaalam na natagpuan ka na namin. We will have a party for the proper announcement pag bumalik ka na sa mundo namin" wika ni Mama. Napatingin naman ako sa kanya. What do they mean by mundo namin? And what about my parents? Jacob? Paano na sila?

"W-wait, how about my parents?" napatingin sila sa akin ng sabihin ko iyon. "I wanto to see them first"

Nakatinginan muna silang dalawa na para bang nag-uusap gamit ang kanilang mga mata. Napatango na lang sila sa isa't isa bago tumingin sa akin.

"We are going to meet them too, hindi ka namin basta lamang kukunin sa kanila they still take care of you noong nawawala ka" maya-maya ay nag-paalam na kami sa mga tao na nasa loob bago kami tuluyan ng pumunta sa bahay ko. Napansin ko rin na madilim na ng lumabas kami. I was silent the whole time until we arrived at our house. I went first at sinundan namin nila ako. Bumungad agad s'a akin si Mommy na parang nag-aalala.

"Chesney saan ka nag-punta? Di ka daw n-" my mom stopped when she saw yung mga tao na nasa likod ko. Bumalik ang tingin nya sa akin at sa mga nasa likod. I smiled at her weakly.

"Honey! Jacob! Bumaba kayo riyan" mom called them habang hindi inaalis ang tingin niya sa amin.

"Why mo-" napatigil din si Jacob ng Makita ako at ang kasama ko.

"Mr. Dela Vino! What brings you to our home?" nakangiting tanong ni daddy.

"Before you talk can we sit down first?" tanong ko sakanila. Nangunot naman ang noo nila sa aking sinabi. Nauna akong pumunta sa sala upang doon umupo, ramdam kong sumunod sila sa akin. I can feel their stares piercing in my back. Nang makaupo kaming lahat ay walang nag-sasalita. My papa cleared he's throat to call our attention.

"We are here to get our daughter back" panimula ni papa. I heard my mom and dad gasped when they heard what papa said.

"D-Daughter?" di makapaniwalang tanong ni mommy.

"Chesney's our long lost daughter; we were searching for her for the last 17 years. The one who kidnapped her is great at removing his/her tracks kaya di namin agad sya mahanap. But now we can't believe na for all those years malapit lang pala siya sa amin" tumingin sa akin si Papa at ngumiti.

"We are very thankful na inalagaan nyo ng maayos ang anak namin. If there's anything we can do to repay you just tell us" Napaiyak si mommy ng marinig ang sinabi ng mga magulang ko. Agad akong lumapit sa kanya at niyakap sya.

"Mommy don't cry" mahinang wika ko habang inaalo siya. "I just can't help it anak, for all those years secretly finding them all by yourself. You finally found them. I'm very happy for you sweetie" umiiyak na wika sa akin ni mommy. I couldn't help myself that's why I cried too.

"Mr. Del Mundo, we can't explain how thankful we are to your family. Wag kayong mag-alala kasi we aren't taking Chesney with us without saying her goodbye to you all" I wiped my tears bago ako humarap kina papa. "Can I stay here for tonight? I promise I'll go with you tomorrow. I just want to spend time with them before ako sumama sa inyo"

"It's ok sweetie, will be heading now. We'll see you tomorrow anak" she and papa kissed my forehead befre they bid they're farewell to us. My mommy and daddy ay hinatid sila sa labas. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Jacob sa sala. I can feel the awkwardness in the atmosphere.