Notes from the Moon (Solar Series #1)

16

"What?", Zara uttered. 

I was shaking. I didn't know what to do. 

"Chanel is y-your older s-sister, Zara." He gulped and looked at me. Nakakunot ang noo kong tumingin sa kaniya. "Carol and I were together before. I got her pregnant and left her when I found out. I was scared of what my parents would think. I was scared of the huge responsibility", he said while looking down. 

Tears started to fall from my eyes. All I could feel right now is resentment and anger. Should I be happy to have found out who my father is? That my co-worker is my half-sister all along? Or be angry because of him admitting the fact that he left us suffering? I just couldn't process everything at the moment. 

"Iniwan ko siya at nangibang-bansa ako. I finished my studies abroad. A few years later, I found out that she became a famous fashion designer here. I'd often see her on tv and even on magazines. May mga times na pumupunta ako sa mga fashion shows niya just to get a glimpse of her. She'd even bring a child with her...and that was you, Chanel." 

I clenched my fist and looked at him with fury. 

"Why did you hide this from me? Does mom even know about this?", Zara asked. I could sense that she was also already crying. 

"No, she doesn't", he said almost whispering. 

"Then you got her pregnant too, didn't you? You were forced to marry her. Is that it? Kaya ba ganito nalang ang pagtrato mo sa akin, dad?", Zara asked with a stern voice. 

"No, Zara. I truly loved your mom."

"Then why do I see her crying every night? You knew that she had a weak heart. You caused her death!", she shouted not minding the media surrounding us. For sure, usapin na kami bukas sa social media. 

"Don't talk to me like that, Zara. I am still your father", he said in a calm voice. He took a deep breath before speaking again. 

"Chanel, anak, I am sor-"

"You have no right", I said cutting him off. "You left my mom and I because you were scared. You flew off to another country para gumaan ang buhay mo habang iniwan mong naghihirap ang nanay ko dito. Nakaya niyo pong kumain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw nang hindi naiisip kung nakakakain din po kami? Nasikmura mo po yun, Mr. Madrigal?" 

My body was shaking with anger. I feel like bursting anytime now but a lot of people are looking at us so I still have to keep my cool. 

"You knew very well that my mother had no family left yet you still chose to leave her. Hindi mo alam ang hirap na dinanas ng mommy ko. She was brave enough to raise me on her own and you will never match up to her because you're a coward."

He couldn't look at me straight in the eyes.