Dear Sandro

CHAPTER 54

"DEAR CLARION,

We've come a long way and now is not the time to give up.

Please tandaan mo na mahal na mahal kita. Kayo ni Iridessa.

And I am sorry for the decision I will make.

I love you.

-Sandro."

---------------------------------

"Sandro... where are you going?" My Mom asked habang nagwo-walkout ako.

"I'm going back to Clarion." I said.

"Sandro!" My Dad raised his voice which startled Iridessa.

She started pouting her lips and was about to cry.

Agad ko naman nilapitan ang anak ko at kinuha mula sa nanay ko.

"Come here baby." I said as held her.

Agad naman syang sumandal sa balikat ko at tumahan.

"I'm taking Iridessa back to Clarion." I said.

"Sandro no... please." My mom stopped me.

"Mom... Iridessa is the only thing left to Clarion... tapos ilalayo nyo pa sya sa kanya?" I was tearing up.

"This is for her own good, Sandro." My dad said.

"You have to understand.. hindi din ito ang gusto namin mangyari, Sandro, but we have to. Kapag nalaman ng publiko na anak ng NPA si Clarion, what do you think will happen?"

My Dad explained.

"Marered-tag ang buong pamilya natin anak." My dad added.

Natahimik naman ako.

"We have been clearing our family's name for 3 decades, Sandro, you know that." Dad said.

"Please... hindi naman natin papabayaan si Clarion sa London.. she will be provided."

My Maom said habang kinukuha si Iridessa.

"What about our daughter?" I asked at napaupo na lang ako sa couch.

"We will tell the public that we adopted her. That she is related on my side." My Mom said.

Napaisip naman ako.

"But she will never see Clarion ever again?" I asked.

"She will. But not now." My dad said.

I don't really know what to do.

"What if I come along with them sa London?" I asked out of the blue.

All of them looked at me like I am making a mistake.

"No. You cannot do that. Sandro, you have a responsibility here at sa Ilocos Norte."

"You are their Congressman. Nakakalimutan mo ba 'yon?" My dad was furious.

I didn't know how to answer his question.

"Now, if magiging matigas ang ulo mo at talagang  gagawin mo kung ano man ang iniisip mo, I will have to disown you and make sure that you cannot longer come back here in this country with that woman!" My Dad shouted as he stormed out of the room.

Hindi ko naman kayang talikuran ang buong pamilya ko.

Hindi ko kayang talikuran ang Ilocos Norte.

Napayuko na lang ako sa sobrang gulo ng isip ko.

My Mom followed my Dad kasama si Iridessa.

Habang si Simon naman ang lumapit sa akin.

"Are you okay, bro?" He asked as he took a seat beside me.

"I don't know what to do... I love Clarion.. as well as I love our family and this country.."

Naiiyak na ako sa sobrang gulo ng utak ko.

He tapped my shoulder.

"You know what to do, you're just afraid of the consequences." He said.

"Why don't you be brave enough and take that risk?" He continued.

I looked at him and he nodded at me.

And I know na alam nya na kung anong mangyayari.

I went back to Clarion a couple of hours later.

She was already inside her room and she was sleeping.

Dahan dahan naman akong lumapit sa kanya and sat beside her bed.

She was sleeping peacefully and I caressed her hair.

She moved a little then slowly opened her eyes.

"Hi." I said.

She looked around and started panicking.

"Where.. wha.. Sandro... where is.."

"Iridessa..our daughter... saan sya.."

Agad ko naman syang pinigilan at niyakap.

"Shhh.. it's okay.. I'm here." I said and agad naman syang kumalma.

"Where is Iridessa.. okay lang ba sya?" She asked.

"She's fine. Kasama nya si Mom and Dad sa Malacañang." I answered.

Nilingon nya naman ako.

"Alam na nila?" She asked and I nodded in response.

"They love her." I said.

Napangiti naman si Clarion.

"Sandro.."

"Hmmm?"

"Please take good care of Iridessa."

He words made me shiver.

"Wha.."

"Clarion... don't say that." I said as I faced her.

"No... we will live together.. a peaceful life." I said.

She was shaking her head habang pumapatak ang mga luha nya.

"I know what will happen, Sandro.. right now.. I just want Iridessa to be safe and I know she will be kapag nasa inyo sya.. kapag nandyan ka." She held my face.

"Clarion.. don't do this." I pressed my forehead on her.

"I have to, Sandro.. para sa inyo ni Iridessa." She whispered.

Hindi ko naman mapigilan na hindi umiyak.

"Where will you go?" I asked.

"Are you coming back?"

She looked at me and I know she will not come back.