Chapter 60
a/n: I wrote this chapter while I'm having some problems and not feeling so well, that's why, for me, it didn't turn out great as I planned. When I edited this, I still lack motivation, not just in writing but also in living. I know this might not be so good, and you might find lines or scenes you don't like. I'll understand if you express your frustration, I'll read and take them. But please be mindful with your words, cause I'm not really in a good state right now (nagpa-awa pa siya.)
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Code's POV
I thought I had reached a dead end. I thought I had reached the point in my life where everything crumbled into pieces, and I just couldn't do anything about it. I felt lost after finding nothing outside the venue. I don't know what to do after not seeing my fiancé anywhere near me. My heart wouldn't stop pounding as I gasped for air.
But then my ear twitched after hearing a few rustling sounds and a faint voice from the back of the building. Without a second thought, I ran in that direction.
My lips quivered with what I saw. I felt a sign of relief when I saw Grey, but I felt a steam come out of my back when I saw my Dad dragging him towards a car.
"Code?!" Grey's eyes grew wide when he saw me. Dad's head snapped at my direction, and his eyes grew wide too.
My feet froze on the ground as I watched Grey escape my father's grip and run towards me. It felt like those scenes in the movies. It was as if time slowed down as Grey ran towards me while my father pointed a gun behind him.
For the first time, I felt small. I felt like everything around me grew big, and I was just a small creature and couldn't do anything but watch.
I heard the gunshot fired first, his gun had a silencer on which almost didn't make any noise.
I then saw Grey crouched down on the ground, "Code!" Time went back to normal when Grey hugged me tightly. My eyes grew wide, I still couldn't move any muscle, and I still felt glued to my spot.
I heard Grey's soft cries behind my ears, "A-Are you okay?"
Why is he asking me that? Shouldn't I be the one asking him if he's okay? He just got shot. Or not...
My eyes grew wide. That's when I finally came back to my senses and immediately gripped tightly on Grey's waist as I spun us around, blocking him from my father's view.
"Are you okay?!" I almost shouted, rummaging my hand around his body as I looked for a wound.
He held my cheek with his hand, "Yes, Code, I'm okay. Walang tumamang bala. Hindi ka rin tinamaan, we're fine, we're okay." He softly said, even though tears streamed down his cheeks.
That's when we heard another gunshot. I immediately faced my father, who had just fired a shot into a tree. He then pointed the gun back at us, who were just less than five meters away from him.
I watch in terror as my own father points a gun at Grey, the man I love. His hands were shaking, but anger dominated his whole face. I could see how his eyes were turning red, tears forming in his eyes.
I swallowed a lump in my throat, "D-Dad... put the gun down," I tried to sound as calm as possible, avoiding sounding like a threat.
I felt how Grey's grip on my arm tightened, and I did too on his waist.
Nagtatalo pa ang mga katawan namin ni Grey kung sino ang pwe-pwesto sa unahan para saluhin ang bala kung sakali man na iputok ito ng tatay ko.
My lips quivered and so did my fingers, "Dad, please, I'm begging you, let's talk this through." I begged, tears forming in my eyes, my throat felt like it was starting to close.
He shook his head, "That face... I know that face...!!" I was shocked to see tears on my father's cheeks, streaming down to his jaw.
"Kamukhang-kamukha ka niya!" Agad kong nayapos si Grey nang muling magpaputok si Dad sa puno.
"Dad! Tama na! Please! Don't do this!" Sinapo ko ang ulo ni Grey, itinakip ko ang katawan ko sa kaniya at handang saluhin ang bala.
"Anong kasalanan ko sa 'yo!? Why are you doing this!? —"
Dad grunts, "It's because..." napalingon ako kay Dad, nakita ko kung paano umigting ang panga nito sa galit. Ang baril na nakatutok sa amin ay nanginig habang umaagos ang mga luha sa pisnge niya.
This is the first time I've seen him shed a tear. He's mad, and yet he looks... broken.
He slowly shakes his head, "You look exactly like—"
"Code!!"
Agad akong napalingon sa likuran nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko.
"Dad?" Takang tawag ni Grey kay Tito Richard nang makita namin itong tumatakbo papunta sa gawi namin.
Agad siyang tumayo sa harap namin at tinakpan kami. "What are you doing!?" He shouted, his voice hoarse yet loud.
"Richard..." Nanginig ang boses ni Dad. He looks... guilty and... defeated.
"Why are you pointing a gun to my son!? Plano mo ba siyang patayin, Code!?" Sigaw ni Tito. Magkayapos kaming naguguluhan ni Grey sa nakikita at naririnig namin.
"Richard, it's not—"
Tumawa nang pagak si tito. "When we ended things, akala ko... hanggang doon nalang yun? Akala ko... that would be the last time we're seeing each other—"
"You don't understand!"
"I don't! I really don't! I don't understand why you suddenly broke up with me after our graduation!"
Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Nagparte ang labi ko at agad napalingon kay Grey na siyang gulat na gulat rin.
Wait...
Dad lowered the gun, "You don't get it!"
"Make me get it!" May panggigigil sa boses ni Tito Richard.
Nagpalitan silang dalawa ng sigaw. Nakita ko kung paano bumagsak mula sa kamay ng tatay ko ang baril bago ito utay-utay napaluhod sa sahig.
Napa-iling si Dad, "Napilitan lang ako... pinilit lang ako... " It was a painful cry coming from my father.
My father, who has always been strict, rude, and arrogant, is now crying. In front of his... ex-boyfriend?
Pinanood kong humagulgol ang tatay ko, nasapo nito ang mukha niya bago sunod-sunod ang paghikbi.
"He... he... threatened to kill my Dad, Richard. He threatened to kill Pappa." Nang alisin ng tatay ko ang kamay niya mula sa mukha niya ay doon ko nakita ang mga luhang umagos sa pisnge niya.
"And you know... You know how much I love my father, Richard. He was sick, he was weak, and barely living each day. Tinakot ako na... kung hindi ako makikipaghiwalay sa'yo... papatayin niya si Pappa."
Naglipat ang tingin ko kay Tito Richard na utay-utay naglakad palapit kay Dad. Mabagal ang bawat hakbang niya at mukhang mabigat.
Dad slowly shaked his head, "Hindi... Hindi totoo na ginamit kita. Hindi totoo na ginawa kitang parausan at para kilalanin ang sarili ko." Dad cried out.
Hold on... that's my line!
"I wasn't using you! I wasn't playing with you or your feelings! I had to lie and say those things to keep you away from me. Iyon ang kasunduan namin!" Sigaw pa ni Dad.
Grey gasped beside me. I glanced at him and saw him looking at the scene with a shocked expression.
He then faced me, eyes shining, "Your... Your Dad did the same thing to my father..." he said in disbelief.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and lowered my head. I've heard a lot already, but for some reason, it still doesn't feel enough. I need to know more. I need to know more to find out the root of all this hatred.
"Sino? Sino ang nag-utos sayong gawin yun?"
Muli akong napa-angat ng tingin nang marinig ang seryoso at mariin na boses ni Tito Richard.
Dad sobbed in front of him, "It was... it was your father who told me to leave you alone. He... He threatened to kill my father, Richard! Si Pappa! At... At hindi kita kayang piliin ng mga oras na yun dahil... buhay ng tatay ko ang nakataya." Nanginig ang boses ni Dad.
Humikbi si Dad, "I'm sorry,"
It was... the first time I heard my father apologize. And I didn't think I'd hear it as I watched him cry and break down in front of his past-lover.
Dad shook his head, "I'm sorry, Richard, I'm sorry! Alam kong may plano tayo! Alam kong..." Nakita kong ngumiti nang mapait si Dad.
"Alam kong may kasunduan na tayo. Pero sinira ko yung plano, hindi ako tumupad sa kasunduan. Natatakot lang ako... natakot lang akong mawala si Pappa sa akin."
It was the plan Tita Grace was talking about! It was in the letter!
Tito Richard slowly falls to the ground, pressing his knees on the concrete as he cups my father's cheeks. He wiped the tear with his thumb before picking up the gun from the ground.
Dad sniffled. I saw how he held Tito Richard's hand and pressed it harder on his cheek, "And I didn't plan to kill your son. I was... I was out of my mind! Nababaliw na ako! Noong nakita ko siya..." Humikbi si Dad, "Para kong nakita ang dating ikaw. Para akong bumalik sa nakaraan at... na-alala ko ang naging kasunduan namin ng Dad mo. Wala akong ibang naisip. Wala akong...— wala ako sa katinuan, Richard! I'm sorry! Please! Please turn me in! I deserve it!" Sunod-sunod ang hagulgol na kumawala mula sa Dad ko. Napapikit ako nang mariin habang pinapakinggan ang pag-iyak ni Dad.
Masakit. Kahit papaano, masakit na marinig na magkaganito si Dad. Alam kong may problema siya. Alam kong... matagal na siyang wala sa katinuan dahil sa sama ng pagkatao niya. Alam kong may mga problema siya sa ugali niya at pag-iisip subalit hindi ko inakala na aabot iyon sa ganito.
Tito Richard cleared his throat, "I know, Code. I know. Hindi mo sinasadya 'to. I know you can't kill or hurt anyone. You're a good person." Tito Richard said softly as he comforted my Dad, caressing his shoulder.
"But you have to compose yourself, Code. Don't let anyone else see you in this state." His voice was clear and firm.
Dad nods obediently, wipes the tear on his cheek, as Tito Richard helps him stand back on both his feet.
I suddenly felt Grey's grip on my arm tighten. When I faced him, I was shocked to see him crying too.
"They were lovers..." he sobbed.
I wiped the tears on his cheeks and gave him a nod, "They were."
He sniffled, "It was... my grandfather's fault. Lahat ng 'to... siya ang puno't-dulo ng lahat." ani niya at utay-utay akong tumango.
Napatingin ako sa gilid ko nang mapagtanto na nakatayo na sila Dad sa harap namin. Inalis na ni Tito Richard ang kamay sa braso ni Dad at inaayos na ang suot niyang sweater.
Tumikim si Tito Richard, "It's best if... bumalik na kayo sa loob. Baka hinahanap na kayo." Malumanay nitong turan.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Grey, parehas namimilog ang mga mata bago sabay lumingon pabalik sa kanila at tumango.
"Sure, Dad, sasamahan—"
"No, you go home with me." Tito Richard cut Grey off.
Our lips parted, Grey's grip on my arm tightened, "Dad, 'wag naman ganito." Pagsusumamo ni Grey.
Nakita kong nagnakaw ng tingin ang tatay ko kay Tito Richard bago inayos ang kwelyo ng polo niya na para bang walang nangyari.
Parang wala kaming nalaman. Parang hindi ko siya napanood na lumuhod at napakinggan na humingi ng tawad.
Tito Richard arched a brow, "Umuwi ka na muna. Hintayin nalang natin sila Code sa bahay." sagot ni Tito at muling nagparte ang mga labi ko bago kumurap-kurap.
Tumuro ako sa sarili ko, "S-Sinong Code po?" Tumuro ako kay Dad.
Nakita kong ngumisi ang tatay ko bago naglayo ng tingin.
Napabuntong-hininga si Tito Richard bago inayos ang salamin na suot, "Kayong mag-ama. Pumunta kayo sa bahay pagkatapos ng event, mag-uusap tayo." Seryosong sagot ni Tito Richard.
Nagbaling ito ng tingin sa anak niya, "Umuwi ka na rin. Hintayin nalang natin sila." ani nito bago naglakad paalis na para lang din walang nangyari.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Grey, "Uh... I'll go. Bring Chiara too, baka magtampo sa akin yung bata." Bilin sa akin ni Grey bago ako mabilis na hinalikan sa pisnge at hinabol si Tito Richard.
"Grey..." Napatingin ako sa tatay ko.
Natigilan si Grey sa paglalakad at nilingon si Dad.
I saw Dad swallow a lump in his throat, "I'm sorry..." his voice hoarse and his eyes guilty.
Grey smiled, it was faint and forced, but he smiled. He just nodded at Dad before running after Tito Richard.
We went back inside like nothing had happened. I can't even look straight at Dad after watching everything.
First of all, what the fuck? Second, what the fuck was that?!
Ex-boyfriends?! With Grey's father?! They were boyfriends?! Bakla sila?! Bakla si Dad?!
I have seen him several times before, bringing men inside our house, but he would introduce them as his secretary, assistant, or even an investor. I didn't realize they were actually... doing something else.
And he tried to kill Grey! He actually did! He was holding a gun! Was that even a legal gun?! This is too much to handle. I... I just cannot handle this right now!
Para akong nawawala sa sarili buong gabi. Hinayaan ko nalang din si Maze na alagaan si Chiara dahil hindi ko pa rin akalain na bakla ang tatay ko at ex-boyfriend niya ang tatay ng fiance ko.
What a fucking small world! Tangina! When they said the world is small, hindi ko inakala na ganito kaliit!
"Is Daddy Grey sick, po? Why did he go home early?" Chiara asked when we're on our way to Grey's house.
I glanced at her, smiled before shaking my head, "No, Chiara, but Lolo Richard picked him up." I replied, and she gasped.
"Why po?! Is Lolo Richard sick?!" she exclaimed, and I chuckled before shaking my head.
"No, uhm... an adult thing came up kaya sinundo siya. Then pag-uwi natin, we will have adult talk too, so stay ka muna sa room ni Daddy Grey, okay? Play with the yayas nalang ulit." I explained.
She believed what I said and even bought my little lie, and just gave me a nod.
When we arrived at Grey's house, I immediately checked to see if Dad would come out of his car since he had already taken a few minutes inside his car. When he stepped out of his vehicle, Chiara hid behind me. "I'll go inside na, Daddy!" Paalam niya bago bumitaw sa kamay ko.
Kahit hindi pa rin ako makatingin nang diretso sa tatay ko ay hinintay ko siya.
He stopped in front of me, "Anong tinitingin-tingin mo diyan?" Masungit nitong turan.
Pero imbes na matakot ay napangisi pa ako nang bahagya. Para siyang... si Grey kapag nagsusungit. Hindi makatingin nang diretso sa mata at kung saan-saan tumitingin.
I just shook my head and opened the door. The moment we stepped in, my eyes grew wide when Tita Grace screamed.
"Code!!" She sounded worried yet relieved at the same time.
She ran past me and immediately welcomed my Dad with a tight hug, "I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" she exclaimed, stomping her feet on the tiled floor.
She pulled away from the hug, and I saw her expression on the verge of crying.
Then she hit Dad's chest, "Bakit mo inaway si Richard noong pinuntahan ka niya sa condo mo? Nagsuntukan pa talaga kayo?! Alam mo bang dahil dun nabaliw 'yang isang 'yan! Bagong panganak pa man din ako noon! Dalawa tuloy sila ni Grey na inaalagaan ko!" Pagsesermon nito sa tatay ko.
Nakita kong bahagyang bumungisngis si Dad bago napakamot sa batok, "Melissa, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago, ang bunganga mo pa rin." sagot ni Dad rito.
Napakunot ang noo ko bago napalingon kay Grey, "Melissa?" Taka kong tanong.
He smiled at me, "Melissa Grace," he mumbled, and I slowly nodded.
Tito Richard then cleared his throat, "Maupo na kayong dalawa," seryoso nitong turan.
Narinig kong humagikhik si Tita Grace, "Selos ka—"
"Grace, upo na, naghihintay yung dalawa."
Sabay-sabay silang lumingon sa aming dalawa. Nahiya tuloy ako bigla lalo pa at pakiramdam ko'y isa nananaman akong bata na nakikisali rito.
Grey grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me to the sofa as the elders sat across us. Grey and I exchanged looks as we waited for any of the three to speak.
Tito Richard then cleared his throat, "Mahaba-habang istorya," panimula niya.
Hindi ko sinasadyang napatingin kay Dad na nakatanaw kay Tito Richard. He didn't look guilty or broken, just like a while ago. This time, he looked at Tito Richard as if he were still... madly in love with him.
"We were... friends in college, and it all started because we're all around the same age, while our other classmates are younger than us." Tito Richard spoke.
Grey and I looked at each other before nodding, "Kasi delayed kayo nag-college?" tanong ni Grey at tumango silang tatlo.
"Yes. And then your Mom and Code were friends from the same fraternity, and she introduced me to him." Tito Richard replied.
I saw his lips open and was about to speak again when I raised my hand, "Why... do you call him Code?" I asked. I've been curious about it since the moment he called Dad by my name. I analyzed Dad's government name, but there's no hint of Code from it, unlike mine with Nicodemus.
Dad smiled, and he lowered his head while playing with his fingers. "Richard gave me that nickname," he said, a smile printed on his face as if he's blushing.
"Pero bakit nga?" Taka kong tanong.
Ganito pala ang tatay ko, malandi. Nakakapikon, ang tanda-tanda na, parang nagdadalaga ngayon na katabi si Tito Richard.
Tito Richard hummed, "Uhm... noong mga panahon na... nagkakamabutihan na kami ni Code, ayaw kong babanggitin ang totoo niyang pangalan sa harap ng iba para hindi nila malaman na may namamagitan sa amin. Kaya ang sabi ni Melissa, gumawa raw kami ng codename ni... Collin. Then, we realized that the first syllables of his name 'Co' and 'De' results to Code so I started calling him Code." Tito Richard explained.
My brows furrowed, and so did Grey's. I tried to analyze what Tito Richard explained when Grey raised his hand, "What does De stand for?" he asked.
I looked at him, "Dad's name is Collin Desmont. They took 'Co' from Collin and 'De' from Desmont, so... Code." I explained, and his lips parted before he slowly nodded.
"Do you get it now?" We both looked back at Tito Richard before nodding like kids.
"Right so... we..." Tito Richard glanced at Dad.
He smiled, "We got along, became... boyfriends, hung out more, dated, did lots of things—"
"Did you two fucked?"
Maski ako ay nagulat sa tanong ni Grey. Wala iyon sa isip ko kanina. Pero ngayon na nabanggit niya ang tungkol sa pagsisiping dati ng mga tatay namin ay para akong kinilabutan.
Hindi ako handang pag-usapan 'to. Baka masuka ako.
Tita Grace burst out laughing, throwing her head backwards as she leaned on the sofa while clutching her stomach.
I saw Tito Richard's eyes grow wide while Dad started wiping his sweat.
"Uhm..." Tito Richard clasped his hands together, "Well— we... uh–"
"Your Dad fucks me good."
Parang umakyat sa lalamunan ko ang mga kinain ko kanina. Namilog ang mga mata ko at gulat na tiningnan si Dad na namumula sa harapan ko.
"You do the receiving?" Grey asked. Unlike me, who is about to throw up any second, Grey looks... interested and intrigued with the topic.
Agad akong napabaling ng tingin kay Grey bago umiling, "Can we please not talk about—"
"I'm curious," Grey cut me off. He doesn't even look bothered or disgusted by the topic. Mukhang interesadong-interesado talaga siya sa usapang ito.
When I looked back at Dad, he was nodding, "Yeah, I do the receiving every time." Dad replied.
Pakiramdam ko'y umikot bigla ang paningin ako. Para akong nalasing bigla at anumang oras ay pwedeng matumba at masuka.
Is it because of the topic? As much as I don't want to think about it, I started imagining my Dad and Tito Richard fucking with my Dad receiving it. Or maybe I'm getting dizzy because I just found out that my strict father used to fumble with guys, and he's the bottom one.
"Grey naman, pati ba naman yun, naisip mo pa!?" Humahalakhak na tanong ni Tita Grace.
Grey chuckled beside me, "I was just curious, Mom." Grey replied. He sounds so chill! How can you be so chill about this?! Our father's fucked before!
"How 'bout you two? Who does the receiving?" Tito Richard asked.
My head snapped at his direction. Nakakatakot si Tito magtanong. Baka bigla niya akong paliparin pabalik ng Canada kapag nalaman niyang ako ang tumitira sa unico hijo niya.
Then I looked at Grey, who was adjusting his glasses. "I do, Dad. I'm the bottom one." Grey replied, and Tito Richard raised a brow.
"I expected that," he replied, which made me giggle a bit.
I looked at my father, "I avenged you, Dad." I proudly smiled at him.
Dad rolled his eyes at me. What?! He can do that?!
"You should try receiving sometimes, it's good," he encouraged me. My lips parted while the four of them laughed at me.
Pinagkakaisahan nanaman nila ako!
"Anyways, enough with this. Where was I?" Tito Richard spoke.
"We were hanging out," Dad reminded Tito Richard.
Tito nodded, "Ah, yes, we were hanging out and doing fine. Then graduation came, after the ceremony, he took me outside the venue, then... he broke up with me and told me he was just playing with me." Tito Richard seriously said.
The atmosphere thickens. It was not just because of the serious topic, but because of how heavy Tito Richard's voice is.
"I know there was something wrong. I know he didn't mean it, but he kept pushing and pushing me away until I reached my limits and left." He added, I could feel the sadness in his voice. Despite the decades that have passed, he still hasn't forgotten what happened, and he still hasn't recovered from it.
"Then you married Mom?" Grey asked with the same sullen tone Tito Richard has.
"We saw a letter from Mom that is addressed to Tito Collin. It was unopened and sealed, so we thought Tito Collin never read it," Grey added.
The three of them lowered their heads. I looked at my father, who was fidgeting with his fingers while nibbling on his lips.
"You were arranged into a marriage with Mom, and that ruined your friendship?" Grey asked again.
Tito Richard nodded same goes with Tita Grace, "It was for the company. Your Mom's family business was falling, and her father proposed a marriage to Fùqīn in exchange for support in their business." Tito Richard replied, and we both nodded.
"Pero nalaman niya ang tungkol sa inyo ni Dad kaya kinausap niya si Dad na makipaghiwalay sa'yo?" Tanong ko, napalingon silang tatlo sa akin lalo na si Dad.
Dad slowly nods, "That's what happened. May plano na kaming tatlo kung anong gagawin namin. Naisipan namin ni Richard na... magtanan pagkatapos ng graduation pero... natakot ako. Natakot ako para kay Pappa. Hindi ko rin siya kayang iwan lalo pa't alam ko na malala na ang lagay niya." Paliwanag ni Dad, nagbaba ito ng tingin at pinaglaruan ang mga daliri niya.
Bumunot ito ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga, "Gaya ng sabi ko, hindi ko kayang piliin si Richard noong panahon na yun. Pero nang makalipas ang ilang buwan at... namatay ang Pappa, binalak kong..." Natigilan si Dad nang ilang segundo,
"Binalak kong kausapin ulit siya at puntahan. Pero nalaman ko na... buo na si Grey at... magkakaroon na siya ng sariling pamilya. Hindi ko matanggap, nagsisi ako na nakipaghiwalay sa kaniya." Narinig kong nanginig ang boses ni Dad. Parang tumayo ang balahibo ko nang makitang papaiyak nanaman ito.
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko, "At nag-anak ka na rin?" tanong ko, ang mga mata ay nagbabadya nang mamasa ng luha.
Tumango si Dad habang nakatungo pa rin, "I thought it was time to move on. Kasi akala ko... masaya na si Richard sa buhay niya." Nasundan ng isang singhot ang mga salita ni Dad.
Napatungo ako bago nilunok ang laway sa bibig ko, "Kaya kahit... ayaw mong mag-anak, nag-anak ka? Kahit... alam mo sasarili mo na hindi mo gustong maging tatay, binuo mo 'ko? Para saan? Kasi nainggit ka? Naghiganti ka? Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap na... lumaki na para akong walang tatay? Na si Mommy lang ang nagpapalaki sa akin?" Namuo ang mga luha sa mata ko na agad nag-unahang umagos sa pisnge ko.
Si Grey ay agad akong kinapitan sa braso habang si Tita Grace ay inilapit sa akin ang tissue box.
Napasinghot ako, "Nag-anak-anak ka, tapos hindi ka naman pala handa? Hirap na hirap ako noon lalo na nang mamatay si Mommy. Hindi ka naging mabuting ama sa'kin, Dad, hindi!" Utay-utay akong umiling habang patuloy ang pag-agos ng mga luha sa pisnge ko.
Nang mag-angat ng ulo si Dad ay namumula na rin ang mga mata nito habang ang mga luha ay nagbabadyang umagos, "I know, Code. I know, and I'm sorry. I know it's late, alam kong marami na akong naidulot sa'yong masama. And I'm sorry, I'm sorry for causing all of that. I'm sorry for... for being a terrible father." Tears streamed down his cheeks.
My lips quivered as we cried in front of each other.
I wiped the tear on my cheek, "It's not too late, you know? Si Tito Richard nga nagawa pang magbago para kay Grey. Baka... kaya mo ring gawin para sa'kin yun." May halong pagmamaka-awa sa boses ko.
Hindi ako tuso. Hindi ako masamang tao para hindi magpakumbaba at patawarin ang tatay ko. Anak lang din ako, anak ako na nagnanais ng pagmamahal at kalinga ng ama. Kahit trentahan na ako, isa iyon sa mga hiling ko sa buhay.
Namilog ang mga mata ni Dad, nang tumayo ako ay agad din siyang tumayo.
Nanginig ang mga labi ko, "I'll give you a second chance. A chance to be at leas6 a father to me. Pero kay Chiara?" Umiling ako, "Anak ko na siya at hindi ko hahayaan na magpakilala ka sa kaniya bilang totoo niyang tatay." ani ko at sunod-sunod na tumango si Dad.
Even though there's a table between us, I stepped forward and threw myself on my father as I hugged him tight, "Apologize," I demanded behind his ear.
Dad sniffled, "I'm sorry, Code, I'm sorry for everything. I'll try, I'll try to be here. I'll try to at least be a father to you, or maybe a good one too." He said, and that's when tears flooded my cheeks.
Sobs and soft cries echoed throughout the whole living room. I glanced at Tita Grace's direction and saw her crying. When my eyes shifted at Tito Richard's direction, he was smiling at us, he was not crying, but he looked a bit emotional.
Grey handed me a tissue when I sat back next to him. I was wiping my tears when he spoke, "This might sound stupid, but... I'm thankful you two didn't end up with each other." Grey spoke.
We all looked at him, confusion printed on our faces.
Grey smiled, "Because I get to meet Code. Kung nagkatuluyan kayo, baka wala kami ni Code sa mundo at hindi kami nagkakilala." Dagdag pa niya.
Agad gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko bago sumandal sa balikat niya. Nilingon ako ni Grey at isang ngiti ang muling kumawala sa mga labi namin.
Our fingers are intertwined with each other, where both are engagement rings.
Grey looked back at our parents, "We're gonna get married." Grey announced.
I looked at them and saw all three of them smiling, "We were hoping to get your blessing?" Grey asked, a smile printed on his lips.
Tito Richard adjusted his glasses, "Like I said, si Code— I mean, Collin ang pagde-desisyunin ko. Kung papayag siya, papayag ako." Nilingon nito si Dad na mukhang nagulat sa sinabi ni Tito Richard.
Ilang beses gumalaw ang labi ni Dad at mukhang may gustong sabihin pero walang lumalabas sa labi niya hanggang sa tumawa ito.
"I'm done being the villain. Of course, papayag ako!" A wide smile grew on his lips.
I felt like my heart exploded with joy. Grey and I looked at each other, eyes wide open, before throwing ourselves into each other.
"We're gonna get married!" I cried out on his shoulder, and he chuckled before rubbing my back,
"I know, Code, I know! We're gonna get married!"
—---
a/n: See you in the epilogue, it might take a while since mahaba-haba siya and I'm not really feeling well. I'll try to publish it by next week, but I can't promise it. Please be patient with me <3
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