Epilogue
After 9 years~
"Allison!" Napangiti nalang ako at napairap ng maramdaman ko na may yumakap saakin ng mahigpit, "What?" Tanong ko sa kapatid ko na ilang taon na ang lumipas ay wala pa ding pinagbago.
"You got me worried, don't you know that? Hindi ka man lang tumawag kung ano ng balita sa misyon na ginagawa mo, the Case was already being widely broadcast yet ni isang tawag hindi mo magawa!" Mahabang litanya niya dahilan para mapanguso ako.
"Stop nagging her Allendis, can't you see any minute now ay babaon na ang tingin niya sa mukha mo?" Wika ng nakakatanda naming kapatid na hindi ko namalayan na kasama pala niya.
"How are you Allison?" Tanong niya na sinagot ko naman ng ayos lang ako, I just got home from finishing one of my Missions na sa Italy pa isinagawa kaya medyo natagalan ako.
It was my last Field Mission before I retired and handed everything to my dearest Twin, natagalan lang naman ako umuwi because I ran into some problems since my flight got a bit delayed and communication is kinda bit hard as someone was tailing me at that time who made me do a lot more work than as usual.
"How's the trip?" Tanong sa akin ng kapatid ko dahilan para mapabusangot ako, "Nothing works as planned but, everything was already settled and the Organizare as well as the Empire can be at ease now" sagot ko dito at umupo sa swivel chair ng pabagsak.
"Why don't you take a break for a bit?" Tanong sa akin ni Allendis dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya, "Ofcourse, wait mo lang, napapagod na din naman ako, so I'll hand everything to you soon" wika ko at pumikit.
"Allison kung matutulog ko, umuwi ka muna sa bahay, also please pay father some of your time since matagal narin simula ng huli ka niyang makita" wika ni Kuya saakin dahilan para mapadilat ako ng isang mata.
Well I guess I've been super Busy for the past 10 years and the last time I visited my father who's currently taking some Psychological treatment was 2 or 3 years ago.
After knowing the truth about his Illness as well as the reason why my father is kinda different when it comes to me, make things crystal clear, but after the Hardships and the Suffering Ive experienced it still took me years to fully forgive my father.
I don't even remember any memories of us after my mother passed away, and even though he neglected and put me through all the hardships I've experienced, I still want to thank him since without him, I'll never be as strong as I am now.
"Don't worry, I'll visit father later since I also have something to say to him" sagot ko sa kanila, tahimik lang sila pareho ng maya-maya ay may kumalabit sakin dahilan para mapadilat ako at mapataas ang kilay ng may inilahad sa harapan ko si Allendis na isang maliit na box.
"Ano yan?" Tanong ko sa kanya at sinuri iyon ng maigi, "It's our birthday yesterday, And that's my gift for you" nakangiting wika niya sa akin dahilan para mapatingin ako kay Ashton.
"It's not a bomb Allison kaya wag kang tumingin sa akin ng ganyan, nag Effort lang ang kambal mo for you, plus—" putol na wika niya at maya maya pa ay may ibinatong maliit din na box saakin.
"Really? Mr. Ashton Callister Blair and Allendis Kane Veron? Anong akala niyo sa akin bata?" Hindi makapaniwala at taas kilay na tanong ko sa dalawang maliit na box na hawak ko.
"What? Masama ba na i-spoil man lang namin ang nakababata naming Kapatid ni Allendis? I also gifted Allendis something yesterday, and It's just fine to also give you one" Proud na wika niya sa akin na agad namang tinanguan ni Allendis.
Nanlalata nalang ako sa kanilang napatingin dahil makalipas ang ilang taon, ay naging magka-ugali na sila, and I'm lucky na I can talk to my older brother now like how siblings usually talk to each other, pero hindi parin yon excuse para sa regalo.
"You know, I appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness for this gift, pero seryoso? Kuya I'm already 28, I'm not a Kid, You can just greet me simply, no need for gifts" wika ko sa kanila dahilan para pareho silang napangiwi na nagpanguso sa akin.
"Tanggapin mo nalang, hindi ka naman mamamatay kapag tinanggap mo yan" wika ng nakakatanda kong kapatid kasabay ng pagbukas ng pinto at iniluwa noon si Zaireem na may bitbit na mga papeles.
"Empress, Your car was already downstairs and this is the last files that needed to be signed for the merging of Organizare and Empire, na pirmahan na naman yan lahat ng mga Crown Holders as well as the other Heads of the Organizare" wika niya at inilapag sa lamesa ko ang mga papeles.
"Thanks, anyways Zaireem, it's been almost 10 years and I can give you your break as long as you like since wala na rin naman gaanong kailangan ayusin dito sa Organizare at Empire, wala ka bang balak umuwi ng Pilipinas?" tanong ko sa kanya.
9 years ago ay pinili ni Zaireem na sumama sa amin pabalik sa Spain para tumulong sa paglilinis ng Empire at Organizare dahil marami rin ang umangal sa plano naming pagsamahin ang dalawang organization, at sa Siyam na taon na iyon ay wala siyang ginawa kundi magsilbi bilang secretary ko na siyang gumagawa ng lahat halos ng bagay na ako dapat ang gumagawa.
"Im fine Empress, i'll be staying here for a while but I'll probably be back soon so Dont worry" wika niya saakin ng nakangiti bago nag paalam na may gagawin pa siya, "I bet Kaizen was missing her to death" komento ni Allendis at napailing pa ng maka alis si Zaireem.
hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin at binuksan ang dalawang maliit na kahon na nanggaling sa kanila, ang isa sa mga yon ay may lamang susi at ang isa naman ay may lamang kwintas na may maliit na dyamante sa gitna.
"it was mother's favorite necklace, father told me that he was going to give it to you at your 14th birthday but cat got him and ended up not giving it to you" natatawa na wika niya sa akin dahilan para mapangiti ako, kinuha ko yon sa lalagyan at inabot sa kanya, na nakuha naman niya kaya siya na ang nagsuot nito para sa akin.
"It looks good on you, ngumiti ka lang ng konti kamukha mo na si Mama" natatawa na wika ng kapatid ko dahilan para mapairap ako dahil alam kong ipinamu mukha niya sa akin na lagi akong naka busangot, napailing nalang ako at iniharap kay Allendis ang susi na galing sa kanya.
"What's with the key?" tanong ko dito pero nagkibit balikat lang siya, "Keiran and us made some random bet and I won so that's the prize it was the key to Keiran's Villa and I thought na you would probably like it since the view to that house was beautiful that's why i gifted it to you" wika niya dahilan para mapangiti nalang ako at ibinulsa iyon.
napatingin nalang ako sa wristwatch ko at sa mga papel na nakapatong sa lamesa ko na kailangan pang pirmahan, "May pupuntahan kaba?" tanong ng Nakakatanda naming kapatid na si Ashton saakin.
"Yup, I plan to visit father now, since may sasabihin ako sa kanya before going back to Philippines" sagot ko dito dahilan para magkatinginan sila, "let me handle the papers since ako din naman ang gagawa ng mga bagay na ito in the near future" wika ni Allendis at itinulak ako papalabas ng pinto.
"You sure?" tanong ko sa kanya dahil parang pinagmamadali nila ako umalis, tumango naman sila agad sa akin kaya napakibit balikat na lang ako at lumabas sa mismong Main HQ, nakita ko ang kotse ko na matagal ko ng hindi nakikita.
It was the car I let Luke borrowed but since marami na ang taong lumipas at sa mga panahong pinahirap ko sa kanya ito ay wala na akong panahon na tanungin kung nasaan na. agad akong sumakay sa kotse at minaneho iyon patungo sa mansion namin kung saan namamalagi ang ama naming magka-kapatid.
hindi nagtagal ay nakarating din ako doon at kusang bumukas ang malaking gate sa bahay kaya agad ko ng ipinasok doon ang kotse ko, this mansion was my home that gave me this familiar feeling but always making me feel left out throughout my teenage life.
In my 28 years of existence this will be the first time that I would set foot in this mansion without thinking how my father would feel when he saw my face. 9 years ago, I decided to face everything but to let go of everything I have. The outcome at first may not be that good but I know I made the right decision, and this is what I've worked hard for.
Bumaba na ako ng kotse ng maiparada ko na ang sasakyan sa tapat ng bahay at umakyat patungo sa ikalawang palapag kung nasaan ang kwarto ng ama ko. "father" wika ko at kumatok sa pinto bago pumasok, naabutan ko siyang nakatanaw sa may veranda kung saan makikita ang mini garden ng bahay na ito.
"Archianna" pag tawag niya sa akin, I already legally changed my name to Allison, but it seems that my father still see me as Archianna pero hinayaan ko nalang, "How are you, Father?" tanong ko dito na sinagot naman niya ng ngiti.
"You look just like your mother" wika niya sa akin at inabot ang pisngi ko, "Beautiful, really beautiful" namamangha na wika niya na nagpa-ngiti sa akin, "Father, I came here dahil may sasabihin po ako" wika ko sa kanya.
"I came here to tell you that I'll be going back to Philippines, I already do everything in the Empire and we're all at peace for now, It was really hard at first but your daughter really did gave her best and I succeed on achieving what you and mother want" wika ko sa kanya pero napatingin lang siya sa labas ng bintana.
"I just want you to know that I'll be taking my break now since 28 years has been to hard on me and I don't think I can visit you for the time being, but I'll contact you through brother, Please take care of yourself" wika ko dito at hinalikan siya sa noo bago tumalikod.
hindi ko kakayanin na tumagal pa dito ng ilang minuto dahil sa tuwing nakikita ko ang ama ko ay naaalala ko lahat ng hihirap na naranasan namin sa buhay, and seeing my father in this state of mind only brought me tears in my eyes.
Lalabas na sana ako ng kwarto ng bigla siyang magsalita, "Are you gonna visit the little boy in your dreams?" tanong niya saakin dahilan para mapatigil ako at mapaharap sa kanya pero nakatingin lang siya sa labas.
hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang tanong na yon pero napangiti nalang ako, he was referring to Ace since when I was little I keep talking about Ace playing house with me in my dreams, "I don't know father, but I would be glad if we saw each other" wika ko dito.
"It would be heavens if you still meet each other, I hope you Happiness my daughter" wika niya na nagpalalaglag ng panga ko, ever since I've learned my father's Illness and since he's been admitted here I never heard him call me 'Daughter'.
"This father was sorry for you in many ways, But I can't find the right time to apologize properly, I never thought you would grow up that fast, you were just a little pumpkin when I last held you in my arms" wika niya dahilan para isa isang tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko.
"I made stupid mistakes that I cant even deny, but this father is proud of you as I watch you frow and became what you are now, I can't even face you now properly as I dont want to see you cfry in front of me" garalgal na wika niya pero pinipilit paring makapagsalita ng maayos.
"Allison" pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko, "I called your friend earlier, and they already prepare a plane for you to Philippines, hurry now since I bet they've been waiting like hours" wika niya saakin at marahang humarap ng may ngiti sa labi.
Pinunasan ko ang luha sa mga mata ko at tumango bago lumabas ng bahay, nagulat nalang ako ng may isang itim na kotseng nakaparada sa tabi ng kotse ko at nakatayo sa tabi noon ang isang pamilyar na mukha na walang ibang matinong nagawa sa buhay ko.
"Hi ma'am, I'm Lucas Drake Elpinus your personal Driver, I'll be guiding you for now to the Airport as it seems that you've been late for 3 hours in your flight" nakangiting wika niya dahilan para mapairap ako.
"Ano bang ginagawa mo? did you plan this?" tanong ko sa kanya pero nagkibit balikat lang siya at iginiya ako papasok sa kotse na agad ko din namang ginawa, sinimulan na niyang imaneho ang sasakyan kaya nakatingin lang ako sa kanya sa rearview mirror.
"Mabubutas ang mukha ko Allison" wika niya na ikinatwa ko, "What are you planning?" tanong ko sa kanya na sinagot niya ng kibit balikat, "Dunnom just think of this are a simple Birthday gift that's been planned for almost 10 years" natatawa na wika niya na nagpalaki sa mata ko.
"really huh?" tanong ko at tumingin sa labas ng hindi na nagtanong mula dahil paniguradong wala din naman akong makukuhang sagot sa kanya, It would be best to see kung ano nga ba ang plano nila.
ng makarating kami sa Airport ay agad akong bumaba at nagtungo sa tapat ng isang pribadong eroplano na pagmamay ari ng Empire, may dalawang Flight attendant ang nag assist saakin paakyat at iginiya ako sa first class sit ng eroplano.
tahimik lang akong umupo duon ng biglang may isang pamilyar na mukha na naman ang tumayo sa harapan," "Ladies and gentlemen, name is Grayson Custodio and I'm your chief flight attendant." wika niya at kumindat sa akin.
"Hi Queen" bulong niya at maya maya pa ay may bumatok sa kanya, "Im sorry for the rudeness of my Co-worker, if you need anything please just press this button, Im Jullius Marquez as your personal Butler in this flight" wika niya Jullius at hinatak papalayo si Gray na ikinatawa ko.
napa iling-iling nalang ako at tumingin sa bintana ng biglang may magsalita sa mikropono, "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Captain Shawn Solerio speaking, we are about to take off, please Sit now and fasten your seatbelts, I'll be piloting this flight for the sake of my friend so better make this flight worth it dear passengers" wika nito at pinatay ang mikropono dahilan para mapa kunot ang noo ko.
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid para sana tanungin sila Jullius ar Gray kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Shawn ng may isang matangkad na lalaki ang kumalabit sa akin dahilan para manlaki ang mata ko.
"Hi, the Captain said that we're about to take off, and i feel a bit lonely sitting alone in my sit, is it alright to sit beside you?" tanong niya sa akin pero hindi pa rin mawala ang pagkagulat ko at wala sa sariling napatango.
"Thanks, May I ask why are you taking this flight?" tanong niya na halatang napipilitan at nahihiya dahilan para mapangiti ako, was it part of his plan, or was he the one who made this plan?.
"Were you the one who planned this?" tanong ko sa kanya habang naniningkit ang mata pag balewala sa tanong niya sakin kanina, "You can tell?" sagot niya sa akin dahilan para matawa ako.
9 years have passed but his handsomeness never really disappointed me and he looks so matured now sitting casually right beside me, "Why are you taking this flight?" tanong ko sa kanya na sinagot niya ng kibit balikat.
"Im picking up the girl I like before other men took her away from me, Im Ace Zachariel Delice anyway, may I ask for you name beautiful Miss?" tanong niya sa akin at naglahad ng kamay dahilan para mapangiti ako.
"I'm Allison, Allison Hilary Blair, nice to meet you Mr. Delice, I hope to have a Nice flight with you" wika ko sa kanya at tinanggap ang kamay niyang nakalahad pero nagulat nalang ako ng ilapit niya iyon sa bibig niya at marahang hinalikan.
"Nice to meet you too, my Queen" wika niya at dahan dahang inilapat ang labi niya sa labi ko, It's been 9 years since the last time I saw this man, but no matter how much time had passed, from our past to present my feeling for him never fade but only grew stronger, and for the near future, we are bound to make new memories, my knight, my Ace, my King.
The End...
micxyine | L.A