Mend Her Broken Heart (Original Version) -Completed-

Epilogue

Epilogue

Lucas Ford Angeles

"WHAT TIME ARE we going to pick you up? Hindi ba talaga kami puwedeng sumama?"

Nilingon ko si Alexa matapos marinig ang kanyang sinabi saka muling binalingan ang nakasimangot sa aming harapan.

My young lady looked extremely pretty in her pink dress. Ngumuso si Hopee at tinitigan ako na tila humihingi ng saklolo.

"We can sit at a table far from you or we can just wait at the parking lot until it's over," tugon ko.

Lalo lamang siyang sumimangot.

"We just want to keep you safe," dagdag ni Alexa dahilan upang kumunot ang noo ni Hopee. Umiling pa ang aming anak.

Muli kong binalingan si Alexa. Ako naman ngayon ang nangangailangan ng saklolo.

Bumuntong hininga si Alexa bago muling nagsalita, "Look, Darling, hindi namin lubos na kilala ang makakasama mo kaya mas makabubuti kung naroon kami," malumanay ngunit matigas na wika niya.

"Pero, Mama..." ani Hopee bago bumaling sa akin, "Papa... don't you trust me?" Umiling siya at bumuntong hininga saka ako nilapitan. Hopee tangled her left arm with mine. The other arm went to her mother's.

"Hopee, your Mom is right. We trust you but we don't trust the boy yet."

Sumimangot si Hopee. Inalis niya ang nakalambiting braso sa amin pagkatapos ay pinagkrus ang mga iyon sa harap ng kanyang dibdib. Nakasimangot pa ring umatras siya palayo. "It's Penelope, Papa," maktol niya. "Besides, kailan ba naging mali ang opinyon ni Mama kung ikaw ang tatanungin?"

Humalakhak si Alexa pagkatapos ay nilapitan ang anak namin. Napakamot na lamang ako sa batok. Hopee got me there.

"Just trust us. You are growing up so fast. It feels like it was just yesterday when I first held you in my arms. We only want to be with you in every step that you take."

"Mom, it's just a date. I'm only seventeen. Hindi pa ako mag-aasawa. I'll be home by nine o'clock as promised," protesta ni Hopee.

Umiling ako nang humarap siya sa akin. "Exactly, Hopee. You are going on a date and we want to be sure that you are safe," buo ang desisyon kong tugon.

"It's the first time that you're going on a date, and if you really like him it will be magical for you. It's about time for you to fall in love, we are not going to stop you. But, Darling, we want to witness it so we can guide you. We want to be part of this special chapter of your life," ani Alexa.

But Hopee only breathed an exasperated sigh. Siguradong hindi pa rin siya kumbinsido sa plano naming pagsama.

"I'm here," anunsiyo ng bagong dating. Sabay-sabay naming nilingon ang pinto. Nakangising pumasok ang isang lalaki.

"Shall we go, Hosea?" tanong nito.

Nangunot ang noo ni Hopee. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to escort you," kaswal nitong sabi at humakbang palapit kay Alexa saka yumakap.

"Hello, Auntie. Ako na ang bahala," kumindat pa ito bago lumapit sa akin. "Good evening, Uncle."

Nanlalaki ang mga matang nilingon ako ni Hopee. Laglag din ang panga niya nang muling balingan ang dumating.

"Papa, did you ask him to come with me, why?" may hinanakit niyang wika.

"Na-ah. It's actually my idea. I believe that you are not going to let your parents come with you so I invited myself," proud na sagot ni CJ.