Could Have Been Better (Crush Series #2)

Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31 — Pamilyar

Ang akala ko ilang linggong hihintayin upang makauwi sa Pilipinas ay naging isang linggo lamang. The night after I talked to Kavan was the same night my father brought us the news that we can already fly to the Philipines on the following week. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa bilis ng mga pangyayari. I have not moved on yet from my painful farewells to my friends. Ngunit heto at totoong aalis na ako.

On the following day, I settled the probable problem with my online job. I was not sure if I can still continue it if I would be based in the Philippines. I emailed the agency where I applied. I just wanted to make sure if there would be a problem. Pero wala naman palang problema. Since it was an online job, it didn't require me to be in a specific place. I can work anywhere. May it be here or in the Philippines.

Kaya naman natuwa ako dahil hindi ako mawawalan ng trabaho. The only changes would be the terms on how they will transfer my salary. Hindi naman iyon magiging mahirap dahil tutulungan ako ni daddy.

The following days were very busy. We were busy packing our things. Dalawang luggage agad ang aking napuno. I brought all of my things thinking that I won't be back here anymore. Masikip sa dibdib na isiping hindi ko na kailangan pang bumalik dito. I already have established myself in this country and yet I would be leaving. Mahirap pero mas nananaig sa puso ko ang kagustuhang bumalik sa Pilipinas.

For almost six years, I haven't imagined myself going back to the Philippines. I have long accepted the fact that I won't be coming back anymore. Natanggap ko na at hindi ko hinayaan ang aking sarili na isipin na may posibilidad pa. I would think of it every time I feel really sad but I always threw the idea. Ayoko na kasing umasa pa.

Pero heto ako ngayon, abalang abala sa mga bagay na dapat ko pang ayusin bago kami umalis sa bansang ito.

"Our home is ready. I let our old maid watch over and maintain our house on the years that we're here. Ngayon ay ipinahanda ko na sa kaniya ang lahat at maaari pa rin iyong tirahan," balita sa amin ni daddy sa harap nang hapag kainan.

I sighed deeply. If dad was talking about our old house, then it might be the house that was close to the subdivision where Celine and Conrad live. Ngumiti ako sa kanilang mga pangalan. It was just a few days ago when I was able to let myself mention their names without feeling sad anymore. Ang nararamdaman ko ngayon ay saya. May kaunting pangamba pero mas nangingibabaw ang ligaya.

"The business is still doing good. Once we are settled there, I will start handling it on my own." Tiningnan ni daddy si mommy at hinawakan ito sa kamay.

Sumulyap din si daddy kay mommy. Mom smiled at him very dearly.

"Your dad and I decided to expand our business, Elaine," aniya sa masayang tinig.

Ngumuso ako dahil hindi ako sanay sa mga ganitong usapan. Nag-angat ako ng aking ulo at pinakinggan sila.

"Sa ngayon ay sa Metro Manila pa lang ang sakop ng ating negosyo. But we would like to introduce it to some provinces. We won't go far from the metro for now. We are thinking of Laguna, Batangas or Cavite. Those are just some of the provinces in mind," masayang paliwanag ni mommy.

Tumango tango ako. Our business was not that big. We did't own a multi-million business but since everything was doing well according to dad, we were able to expand in different cities in Metro Manila. It just started with a small supermarket. The goal before was to just build a small business to support us. Ang lahat nang naipong pera ni mommy at daddy sa pagtatrabaho ay napunta roon. But years past and the expansion of the business was inevitable.

"That's good to hear, dad, mom," I said happily. "When are you planning to pursue the idea? Hindi naman natin kailangan patagalin iyon. After we go back, I can help patch things up. Ako nang bahala sa bahay at sa iba pa. You can start planning the expansion immediately," utas ko bilang pagbibigay ng suporta.