He left to pursue his dream. She tried to stop him but ended up letting him go. The raw familiar feeling she felt when she heard his voice over the phone. That's when inflamed feelings started to rise again.
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I looked at my outfit on the mirror sabay ngiwi.
"Panget..." I whispered.
Bumalik ako sa aparador at nag hanap ng ibang masusot. Today is the I will meet my father. I want everything to be perfect. I want him to like me.
"Irene, anak? Tapos ka na ba?" rining kong tawag ni Mama sa 'kin galing sa labas.
"Malapit na po!"
"Dalian mo, anak! Nandon na raw ang Tatay mo!"
Upon hearing what my mother said I immediately grabbed my yellow floral dress and wore it. I put on a yellow headband to finish the look. I looked at the mirror one last time before going out. My mother and Tito Dante were in awe.
"Grabe ang ganda mo talaga, Irene!" ani Tito.
"Palagi naman akong maganda, Tito!"
"Syempre! Mana sa 'kin yan eh!" si Mama. Nagtawanan kami bago naglakad palabas ng bahay.
"Ingat kayo!" Tito Dante shouted while waving his hand. Tumango ako kumaway na rin.
"Ma, bakit po pala Dy ang apelyedo ko eh hindi naman kayo kasal ni Papa?" bigla kong tanong habang nasa multicab kami.
"Pagkatapos kong manganak sayo, may bumisitang Atty. sa akin sa hospital. Sabi niya nagapadala raw ang Papa mo ng sulat. Sabi ina-acknowledged ka niya kaya pwede mong gamitin ang kanyang apelyedo."
Tumango ako. Nang papasok na kami sa restaurant lalo lumakas ang tibok ng aking puso. My mom squeezed my hand. I looked at her and smiled.
"Wa'g kang kabahan. Nandito ako..."
Huminga ako malalim bago ngumiti sa kanya pabalik.
"Inna..." a man called.
Sabay kaming tumingin ni Mama sa kanan at doon ko nakita ang isang gwapong lalake. I think he's in his early 40's.
"Nikolas..."
Kunot noo akong napatingin kay Mama. Magkakilala sila?
"Is she..."
Bumalik ang tingin ko sa lalake at tinaas ang aking kilay. Sino ba 'to? He swallowed hard before speaking again.
"Is she... our daughter?"
Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. I blinked twice. Is this for real? Is he my father?! My heartbeat thrice it's pace. He walked towards me and smiled. Tears are forming in his eyes.
"Hello, Irene..."
"Papa..." I felt chills when I called him. Parang panaginip ang lahat. Hindi ako makapaniwala... Di ako makapaniwalang nandito na siya sa harapan ko. The man who I've been waiting for all my life is now standing in front of me. I promptly wrapped my arms around him. I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. He hugged me back.
