Hiraeth (Guns and Roses Series #2)

Prologue

"Tatanggapin mo pa rin ba ako? Ako pa rin ba, kahit nasa malayo ako?"

"Ikaw at ikaw pa rin. Mahal na mahal kita, Shan. Ba't kita ipagpapalit?"

"Please.. tell me, if you want someone else while I'm far away."

"I'm gonna marry you. For real. Pag balik mo, magpapakasal tayo sa simbahan."

"Pangako?"

"Pangako, mahal ko."

Those were our last words bago ako umalis patungong Japan. Para makalayo sa gulong nagawa ko at para sa pangarap ko.

I wiped my tears away. I miss him so damn much.

I looked at our picture and slightly smiled. Sana sa pag balik ko, ako pa rin.

It was a seven long years without him. Pinutol ko ang connection naming dalawa. Ayokong masira ang relasyon naming dalawa dahil magkalayo kami.

Sana matupad ang pangako naming magpapakasal kami sa simbahan pag balik ko.

Sana.

I was browsing through the photo album when I saw our picture from one of our dates, nuong nasa Davao pa ako.

Sa Vikings to. Birthday ko. He cheered me up after I had a long fight with my friends before I entered 3rd year college.

I also missed my friends. We've settled our issues before I flew here in Japan. Kaso syempre, hindi naman na mababalik 'yon sa dati. But we're still friends.

I turned to the next page at nakita ko na naman ang picture naming dalawa. Another tear fell from my left eye. This is my favorite picture since this is my last picture with him.

Sa airport 'to. Hinatid niya ako dahil gusto niya akong makita bago ako umalis papuntang Japan. magang maga ang mga mata naming dalawa kakaiyak. Parang hindi na kami magkikita ano?

Hinaplos ko ang picture. Sana hindi pa huli ang lahat.

I booked a flight pauwi ng Davao. Next week, uuwi na ako mahal ko. Magkikita na ulit tayo.

He doesn't know that I'm going home. It's a surprise. Because after a very long years without him, I am able to prove something for him and for my parents. Nakapag ipon na ako. I am also independent.

I closed my photo album.

I called dad and told him that I'm going home. Nagulat siya. At nagtanong kung kelan.

"Next week po, daddy."

"Are you sure, hija?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Of course, I'm sure daddy,"

"O-okay. I'm gonna tell your mom and your sister,"

"Okay! Tell them that I miss them. I'm gonna see you guys real soon,"

"S-see you," kabadong sagot ni daddy and he ended the call.

Why does he sound so nervous? I'm just going home. Hindi ba nila ako namiss?

I feel like there's something wrong about this. Kinakabahan ako, at hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Sigh. I drank too much coffee, I think.

Ang bilis ng mga nagdaan na araw. I packed my things then put in inside my car. Today's my flight pauwi ng Davao.

I'm kinda nervous and happy at the same time. Aside from I'm gonna see my parents, I'm gonna see him, too!

Nandito na ako sa airport. Dadaan pa ako ng Manila bago ako makakarating sa Davao. This is a long flight but I know this is gonna be worth it.

Of course, I'm gonna see him. So I know this is gonna be worth it.

I called daddy again and told him that pauwi na ako. Sabi niya kapag nakarating ako ng Davao, huwag kaagad ako uuwi. Ipapasundo niya ako sa driver namin.

Ano ba kasing meron?

"In a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing around the cabin to offer you hot or cold drinks...." the cabin crew started announcing things for us to know while we're in a flight.

I fell asleep and woke up seeing the wonderful view of Manila.

Nasa Pilipinas na ako.

Shit. I'm excited.

But there's something in me that says that I should go back to Japan.

What the hell is happening? I shook my head.

I sighed. I really hate it when I'm over thinking. Tangina naman. Pauwi na ako tapos ganito pa.

Hinila ko ang maleta ko at umupo. I checked at the time and it's still 3PM. 5PM pa flight ko pauwi ng Davao.

Sumandig ako sa upuan at napaisip. Will he still accept me after all those years?

Of course he will. He promised, right?

It's nearly 5 PM at nakapasok na ako sa eroplano. This is it. Finally. I'm finally going home.

I texted my dad na boarding na ako. He said okay.

I'm nervous. Really, really nervous.

8 PM. I'm finally home.

My home town. I miss the beauty of Davao.

I'm mesmerized by the city lights. Hindi talaga nakakasawa tingnan. Napaka ganda.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Francisco Bangoy International Airport. Time check it's 8 PM and the temperature is 30°C,"

Tiningnan ko ang mga flight attendants, one of time smiled at me. I smiled back.

"For your safety and comfort, please remained seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns of the Fasten seat belt sign..." the crew continued to announce.

I'm excited. I'm gonna see him. I hope he's doing good.

Lumabas na ako at nakita ko 'yong driver namin. Seven long years and yet he's still one of our drivers!

"Hi, manong! Kumusta?" agad na tanong ko.

"Ayos lang, ma'am. Blooming ka, ah?" Sabi niya at kinuha ang mga gamit ko at nilagay sa sasakyan.

Tumawa ako. "Oo naman po, nasa bahay po ba sila daddy?"

"Yes, ma'am. Pinaguusap nila ang kasal ng ate mo," sabi ni manong.

"Hala? Ikakasal na pala si ate?"

"Yes, ma'am. Hindi po ba sinabi sayo ng daddy mo?"

I shook my head then smiled. Siguro 'yon ang pinagkaka-abalahan nila mommy at daddy. And I didn't know na ikakasal na si ate! Who's this not-so-lucky guy, huh?

Ang daming nagbago sa Davao. Yung ibang buildings, pinaayos at mas lalong pinaganda. Napaka linis pa rin talaga ng lugar na to.

Nakapasok na kami sa village kung nasaan ang bahay namin. Kinakabahan ako.

Pinaharurot na ni manong ang sasakyan. Pumasok agad ako sa bahay.

I heard some voices.

"I'm gonna marry your daughter, sir."

That voice seems familiar.

"Well then, it's settled. As long as you take care of our daughter. I'm fine with that. Let's talk some other time about the details of your wedding," si daddy.

"Please take good care of our daughter. She's our precious gem," I heard mommy.

"I'll give her the best of me, ma'am and sir. I'll take good care of her. I love her."

Pumunta ako sa hapagkainan, at nakita ko si mommy, daddy at ate.

And him.

My eyes watered in an instant. So, siya ang papakasalan ni ate?

"Shanley," sabi ni daddy at tumayo.

Agad naman silang lumingon. His eyes widened.

And that's when I knew, we were supposed to get married, but he got my sister pregnant.