Serendipity (Thalassophile)

Thirty-four

Krislene is having their family bonding time together with her Brother and parents at the living room. Ito ang na-miss ni Krislene sa mahabang panahon na wala ang mga magulang nila. And since they're staying for good in the Philippines, mas lalo nyang naramdaman na buo na ang pamilya nila. Before, when it's just the three of them, their house used to be lonely. Lalo na nang umalis pa ang kapatid nya at nanirahan sa penthouse nila ni Vincien. But now that they are complete, it's a happy place again and she can call it now a happy home.

That day, her Mother baked strawberry and blueberry muffins. Padating kasi ngayon ang kapatid nya at hinihintay lang nila. Of course, strawberry muffins are exclusive for her and her Mom. While blueberry muffins are for her Dad and Kristene. Si Vaughn? Kahit alin naman sa dalawa kinakain nito. He's not a picky eater.

She's busy eating her strawberry muffin while browsing on her social media newsfeed when her Dad, Kristoff, called her attention.

"Mi Princesa."

She looked up and held her Father's gaze. "Yes Dad?"

"End of semester is coming already. And OJT is just around the corner right? Where do you plan to have your OJT? I know some companies here that you can do your on the job training."

She smiled, "About that Dad. Well, I haven't decided yet but I'm eyeing on having my OJT... well, uhm... outside of the country."

Her Father frowned at her, "Mi Princesa, kaya nga kami umuwi dito para makasama namin kayong tatlo ng Mom nyo. Tapos mag-o-OJT ka sa ibang bansa?"

"Kristoff, let our daughter decide on where she wants to do her OJT. She's not a kid anymore." Sabi ng kanyang ina at nag thumbs-up pa sa kanya na ikinatawa nya. Ang ina nya talaga ang kakampi nya parati. Kaya tuloy sumasama ang loob ng kanyang ama. Tulad ngayon, grumpy ang itsura ng kanyang ama.

"Mi Corazón—"

"Hep! Don't use your endearment for me. Hindi mo ako madadala dyan Cariño." Putol ng kanyang ina sa sasabihin ng kanyang ama kaya't napatawa sila ni Vaughn.

"I just want to be with our children." Her Father mumbled softly.

"Sino ba kasing nagsabing mag-stay tayo sa Newark habang lumalaki ang mga bata ha Kristoff? Tell me? Hindi naman kita pwedeng abandonahin dahil asawa kita!"

"Okay! I concede Mi Corazón. Te Amo." Pagsuko ng kanilang ama at nilambing-lambing ang kanilang ina sa harapan nila.

Napaiwas nalang tuloy sya ng tingin maski si Vaughn na nilantakan nalang ang blueberry muffin.

At nang matapos maglambingan ang kanilang mga magulang, doon lang muling nagsalita ang kanyang ama. "Hindi na ba mababago ang isip mo Princess?"

Krislene smiled lovingly at her Father, "Dad, I just told you what's on my mind. Yes I want to have my OJT outside of the country but it still depends on the both of you if you would give me permission."

At ginulo ni Vaughn ang kanyang buhok na sigurado syang aayusin din nito kalaunan. "That's our Princess. Well Tío, pwede ko naman syang puntahan every month kung saan sya mag-o-OJT. Besides, it'll surely just take 2-3 months."

"Our son is right." Her Mother agreed. "Let our Princess decide for herself. We'll back you up whenever you need our help anak."

"Thanks Mom, Dad and Kuya Vaughn." She said while grinning from ear to ear.

Nagpapasalamat sya dahil naiintindihan sya ng kanyang mga magulang. Naiintindihan din naman nya ang kanyang ama. Alam nyang gusto nitong bumawi sa kanilang magkakapatid sa tagal ng panahon na hiwalay ang mga ito sa kanila.