Napatigil si Sloane sa pagpasok sa main door ng kanilang Californian mansion sa San Francisco. Nakita niyang nagsasayaw ang kanyang ama at si Brianna. Malulutong na tawanan ng mga ito na nahinto nang makita siya ng kanyang ama.
"It's late, son. Where have you been?" tanong nito.
"Office," tipid na sagot niya.
"At this hour?" sabad ni Brianna. pinatay nito ang klasikong musikang sinasayaw ng mga ito kanina.
Hindi siya sumagot. Sa paglipas ng mga araw, natutuhan na niya itong tanggapin bilang madrasta. He could see that his father was genuinely happy. Matagal na panahon niya itong nakitang subsob lang sa trabaho. Nang dumating si Brianna, halatang sumigla uli ito.
Magkaakbay na lumapit ang mga ito sa kanya.
"Haven't you thought of going back to the Philippines?" tanong sa kanya ni Brianna.
"Why? You want to keep my ass away from here?"
Tumawa ito. "Your son really came from you, honey. So grouchy just like you when we first met." Nginitian siya nito. Tila hindi apektado sa diretsong sinabi niya. "I want you to go to your mother's country hoping that you'll find your own happiness there."
Pinagmasdan niya ito. Nakita niya ang sinseridad sa ngiti nito.
"You found your happiness there. Am I right. Sloane?" usisa pa nito.
Hindi siya sumagot.
"Why didn't you drag her here? why did you let her slip away?"
Hindi niya alam kung may pagkamanghuhula ito, pero natumbok nito ang laman ng kanyang puso at isip.
"I sent you to the Philippines to follow Brianna's suggestion that you might find your happiness there, son. I guess she was right. You did find her. Why don't you go back and pursue her?"
"What would I tell her?"
"Just tell her exactly how you feel for her," sagot nito.
Ibinaling niya ang mga mata kay Brianna. Kahit kailan naman ay walang animosity na namagitan sa kanilang dalawa. They were always civil with each other. Pero ngayon, talagang medyo gumaan ang loob niya rito. "Brianna, I should tell you this. I'm sorry if I thought you were---"
"A wicked stepmother. Yeah, yeah." She rolled her eyes.
Guilty na tumango siya. Lumapit ito sa kanya at yumakap sa kanya.
"I forgive you. But I do love your father. We're happy. And we also want you to be happy."
Na-realize niya, maswerte ang kanyang ama. Bigla niyang naisip si Kimi. She was different. But she made him happy. "I'm going back to the Philippines," deklara niya.
"Just call us when the wedding will be. We'll be there," sagot ng kanyang ama.
"How about my work here?" tanong niya.
"Forget about work. You've been working too hard, son. Brianna's worried that you'd end up just like me when we first met. Old, grouchy and unhappy."
Hinalikan niya sa pisngi ang kanyang madrasta. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." nakangiting sagot nito. "Now, go and grab your lady love before it's too late."
-----------------------
-----------------------
Thanks for reading!!!
BINABASA MO ANG
Ang Ambisyosang Nagmahal: Kimi by CAMILLA
RomanceThis is not my story. I just want to share what I have read to all my co-readers. All credits to the author.
