'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

41

Eli feels dreary with each passing day. It has been months since her dad left that night, and a seed of resentment has begun to flourish toward her mother. In Eli’s eyes, if only Lea hadn't pushed him away, they could have been living the happy life she sees in storybooks. Yet, she knows things rarely go according to a child's wishes. Her mother has taught her much about the harshness of life, but being distant only makes the house feel colder. Eli is trapped between her guilt and her singular desire: a complete family where both parents are close at hand.

Candyce notices her best friend’s heavy silence and elbows her gently. "Are you alright?"

It is dismissal time, and Eli sits near the school gate, watching the horizon as she awaits her mother. Every afternoon, she harbors a tiny, flickering hope that her dad might suddenly appear, but after months of silence, that hope is nearly extinguished.

She turns to Candyce, her voice small. "How does it feel to wake up with a dad and mom next to you? I felt it just once when mom let daddy stay for a night with us. It was the happiest day. It felt good to see mom and dad smiling to each other. I thought we're already complete. But ... I guess it won't happen again."

"What do you mean? Eh diba your dad will come back naman?"

Eli shakes her head, looking at her shoes. "Mommy said daddy won't anymore. He never called since he left. I felt mad at mommy when she pushed daddy away from us, but I guess mommy is right. Daddy can't be with us because he has tita Luisa and Alli. I've been waiting for him to come back, but it's been months and he never showed up again."

"So, what will you do now?"

"I don't know. Maybe daddy won't come back to us indeed," Eli says, a sudden sting blooming in her chest.

"But he promised, right?"

"Mommy said promises are not all true. Some are meant to be broken."

Candyce falls pensive. She wishes she could pluck the sadness right out of her friend’s heart. "That's fine, Eli. Remember you told me before that seeing your dad even once is all you want? It happened. Though he may never show up again, at least you saw him. You met him ... and ... that's just it."

Eli tries to tell herself that Aga might just be busy, but the possibility that he has forgotten them for his other family looms large. When Candyce’s driver arrives, Eli is left alone. She watches other students get picked up by their fathers, wondering about her dad's whereabouts. She wishes she could just hit a call button to hear his voice, but her mother has forbidden all communication. All she has left is a single photo of the three of them from the day they were happy.

Suddenly, a car pulls over a few feet away. A man steps out, and as Eli scans his face, her heart begins to hammer against her ribs. It is her grandfather, Don Arnaldo. She rises to her feet, flooded with doubt. Her mother has warned her that her dad's parents weren't exactly excited to meet her.

Don't talk to him, Eli. Mommy will get mad. Just leave. Run. Walk away.

She takes a step back, but Don Arnaldo calls her name again, his voice steady. "Eli, kumusta ka?"

She halts. She cannot be so rude as to simply run. Facing him with wide, anxious eyes, she whispers, "I ... am ... w-well po, S-Sir."

He offers a gentle smile. "I suppose your mom isn't around yet."

She simply shakes her head.

"Lolo. Call me lolo, hija. I am your dad's father and I assumed you're aware of it."

"But ... m-mom and daddy aren't ... together po. I can't call you lolo."

"Is that from your mom?"

She nods silently.

"I see. Well, you don't have to tell her, hija. Your dad misses you so much and your mom as well."

Eli’s eyes glimmer with a sudden, fierce light. "Really? Daddy remembers me and mommy?"

"Yes. Why not? In fact, I came to see you. He can't come for now. On process pa kase yung annulment niya but your dad can't wait to see you and your mom."

"But why is he not even giving us a call?"

"It's your mom's decision. They aren't in good terms, hija. Your dad is doing all his best para makasama niya na kayo."

A grin breaks across Eli’s face. She knew it. Her dad isn't a promise-breaker. Don Arnaldo sits with her, sharing stories of Aga’s childhood—tales of a younger, mischievous version of her father. Eli listens like she’s hearing a sacred bedtime story.

"Mommy misses dad as well," Eli confides. "I caught her at random nights holding a photo of daddy while crying."

Don Arnaldo chuckles warmly. "I am definitely certain that your dad would smile ear to ear if he finds out. Don't worry, hija, when things are legally over between your dad and Luisa, he will come back."

Eli’s mind, sharp and determined, begins to whirl. She looks at her grandfather with a sly smile. "But we don't have to wait that long, lolo."

"What do you mean?" He furrows his brows.

"We can give daddy a reason to come back on his own volition."

"B-but ... how?"

"I have an idea, but I'll be needing your help, lolo."

"Naku, hija! Malalagot tayo niyan. We can't. Just let your parents meet again when they're both ready. After all, it's their problem. Adult problem and you, as a kid, shouldn't meddle."

"But, lolo, I miss daddy. Mommy as well though she can't be true to herself. Lolo, please."

Don Arnaldo snickers, shaking his head. "Naku po. Now, I am convinced. You really are something. Just like your dad, ang dami mong kapilyahan. Well, let's see. I am listening."

Eli’s smile widens as she begins to lay out her plan to bridge the gap between her parents. Don Arnaldo, unable to resist her begging, finds himself nodding along. They are so engrossed that Eli loses track of time, only to be jolted by a voice that makes her heart leap into her throat.

"Eli!" Lea calls out, her tone stern and vibrating with shock at the sight of Don Arnaldo.

"Mommy?" Eli stands up quickly.

Lea moves like a shield, pulling Eli behind her. "What do you want? Why are you here?"

"Relax, Lea. Kinukumusta ko lang ang apo ko."

"She's fine. Totally fine. I believed we had an agreement the very last time we met, Sir. As promised, hindi ako naghahabol ng sustento sa anak niyo. I have forbidden him to meet my daughter if that's what you came for."

"Lea, apo ko si Eli. Inilalayo mo na nga siya kay Aga pati ba naman sakin na lolo niya?"

Lea scoffs, her eyes flashing. "She is not your responsibility. I hope I made myself clear, Sir. Umuwi na si Aga sa pamilya niya. Our life is back to its normal state. Sana ho wag niyo na kami guluhin pa. Nananahimik kami. Please lang, tigilan niyo na kami ng buong pamilya niyo."

"I can't. Sorry to disappoint you. Aga left not to save his marriage but to end it legally. Lea, mahal ka ng anak ko. Sobra. He is doing this just to have you back. Sana naman hindi pa huli ang lahat para makabawi siya sa mga pagkukulang niya. Eli needs a father. A complete family. And I know that's what you want for her as well."

"Wag niyong ginagamit ang anak ko to clean your son's conscience," Lea snaps. "I can give the best life for my daughter without your son's presence. Once and for all, I am saying this to you, Sir, tigilan niyo na kami. May this be the very last time I'll bump into you and this goes out to your family as well."

She grips Eli’s hand and pulls her toward the car. Lea remains silent during the drive, terrified that another argument will only drive the wedge deeper between her and her daughter. She has no idea that behind Eli’s quiet face, her daughter is already calculating the first move of her secret plan.

Eli grins furtively, watching the road ahead.