When Our Paths Cross Again

1. Four Years After

THIRD PERSON's POV

San Francisco, California 

Lou and her dad was having breakfast when Lou got a call from Mitch telling her to come home. 

"Sorry dad, it was Mitch."si Lou

"It's okay Lou. Actually, she gave me a call too yesterday, telling me that I should force you to go home."si Larry 

"Dad."si Lou

"Louise, matagal ka 'nang kinukulit ng mga kaibigan mo na umuwi. Kahit ang tita Grace at tito Mark mo hinihintay na tayong umuwi doon. There's no reason for us to stay here, Lou."si Larry

"Dad, if you want to go home, okay lang po sa'kin. I can stay here on my own."si Lou

"*hinawakan ang kamay ni Lou* Hanggang kailan mo ba kakatakutang umuwi ng Pilipinas dahil ayaw mong makita 'yung tarantadong nanakit sa'yo?"si Larry 

"Hindi naman 'to tungkol dun, dad. Matagal ko 'nang nakalimutan 'yun. It's been four years."si Lou

"Kapapanganak lang ni Mitch and they are planning to have the baby baptized in Batangas. They want you to be there, ninang ka."si Larry

"Alam ko po dad, that's the reason why Mitch called me a few minutes ago."si Lou

"Sige nga, bigyan mo ako ng rason kung bakit ayaw mong umuwi ng Pilipinas?"si Larry

"Dad, ano ba'ng buhay ang naghihintay sa'tin dun? My business is doing good there with Shawntel at ayokong bawiin 'yun sa kanya, alam kong napamahal na sa kanya 'yun."si Lou

"Then start a new business there. You have enough funds to do that."si Larry 

"Dad, I'm sure if mom's still alive gusto niyang magstay na lang tayo dito dahil dito nagsimulang mabuo ang pamilya natin."si Lou

"Lou, I don't want to do this but our flight will be next week."si Larry

Halos mapasigaw si Lou sa sinabi ng daddy niya sa kanya.

"So planado na lahat?"si Lou

"I'm sorry Lou. Wala 'nang buhay na naghihintay sa'kin dito, and of course I can't leave you all alone here."si Larry 

"Dad, why are you doing this?"si Lou

"Because I want you to get your life back. Alam kong napilitan ka lang sumama sa'min noon ng mommy mo dahil sa naranasan mong heartbreak, at alam kong labag noon sa kalooban mo na iwanan ang mga kaibigan mo."si Larry

"I chose to be with you and mom, dahil alam kong sa inyo ako magiging buo ulit. But dad, going back to the place where my heart was torn into pieces, parusa 'yun."si Lou

"Babalik tayo ng Pilipinas hindi para sa lalaking nanakit sa'yo, kung hindi para sa mga taong tunay na nagmamahal sa'tin. Your tita Grace, tito Mark, your friends, they are all waiting for us to come back."si Larry

"So you're ready?"si Lou

"Yes. And I know that you're ready too. Anak, ipakita mo sa mga taong nanakit sa'yo na hindi na ikaw 'yung Lou na madaling saktan, madaling maloko at madaling lokohin. *hinawakan si Lou* Let them regret the things they did to you."si Larry 

💙💙💙

ANDRE's POV

"Ang cute talaga ng baby niyo Mitch." sabi ni Abi 

Nandito kami ngayon sa ospital para dalawin si Mitch, she just gave birth to their first baby. Her name is Alexander Santiago. And so far, he's the cutest baby I've ever seen in my whole life.