Trying to forget was like trying to forget your first house. You lived there for so long, you know everything about it by heart. And sure you've moved on and found your dream home, but no matter what, you'll always remember the address.
It's been three years since I flew here in Australia to study and now I finally got my degree. I am now Architech Sofia Cassandra Del Valle. Mabango ang pangalan ko sa industriya dahil sa aking step father kahit na fresh graduate pa lang ako. I am not under of any company because I want to be an independent, my work my rule.
My mom died when I was ten and I've never met my real father. It's just Me, Mom and my step Dad. But he stand as my real father. Support me in every step of my dreams. I couldn't ask for more.
"Hi Dad." I greeted. He seems busy because his eyes never left the monitor of his computer.
"What are you doing here Sofia?" Naupo ako sa upuan sa harap niya. His office has this fresh vibe because of the plants all around the corner. He really love plants just like my Mom.
"Can't I visit my Dad?" His serious eyes suddenly went mine raising his dark eyebrows. Kung hindi ko lang nalaman na hindi siya ang totoo kong tatay noon ay aakalain kong siya nga ang aking ama dahil magkahawig kami ng hitsura.
"Spill it, I know you have something to say to me." I sigh. He knows me well.
"Ayt. I have a project in Philippines, did you do something about it?" I know him well too.
Alam kong siya ang may pakana ng project na iyon para makabalik ako sa Pinas na kinaiiwas iwasan ko.
"You can't be here forever Sofia. If you want to be known in your field you need to explore and learn things on your own well with my little help of course."
I sighed. Here he go again lecturing me. Umiling na lamang ako.
"Fine whatever!"
"Everything is set, I did prepare everything there Sofia, plane ticket and place you're going to stay." Nabalik na ang atensiyon niya sa kaniyang computer. Kaya minabuti ko nalang na tumayo na at mag paalam sa kaniya.
He liked planning everything for me. Siguro ay nasanay lang siya dahil simula bata hanggang ngayon ay dependent ako sa kaniya. I've never considered him others but my real father and he did the same to me.
Nag-impake na ako ng mga damit at iginayak ang aking kailangang dalhin. It's just probably six months or something hindi ko naman pinaplanong doon na manirahan dahil wala na naman akong pamilya roon.
I'm excited at the same time nervous dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang nag iintay sa akin doon. I know people there back then. I have friends pero nawalan na ako ng balita sa kanila simula noong umalis ako.
My flight landed at exactly 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the warm breeze embraces my whole body. I miss this, the weather.
Nagtungo na ako sa labas nang makuha ko na ang aking mga bagahe. Ang sabi ng sekretarya ni Dad ay may susundo daw sa akin dito but I don't know who.
Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang maliit na sulat na hawak ng isang babae. That's me. Dali dali kung nilapitan upang makapag tanong.
"Hi. I am Sofia Del Valle."
She seems amused dahil hindi agad siya nakasagot.
"Ah opo Ma'am Sofia dito po tayo." Iginiya niya ako sa isang black Sedan at pinagbuksan ako sa passenger seat.
Medyo nahihilo pa ako sa byahe kaya pumikit muna ako saglit. Maya maya pa ay huminto na ang sasakyan kaya umayos na ako ng pagkakaupo.
From what I've remembered, we are now at Forbes Park in Makati, it's an exclusive subdivision for elite people.
