Ito na, real na real, 5 chapters left na lang!

***

Chapter 30

When my parents and brother came back from their busy lives, I gathered them all in the living hoping what I would say is enough for them to believe in what I can do. Hindi naman ako sasali sa isang reality show para lang magpakatotoo, but this is enough for me—it is my call to do something out of their decisions for me.

Sa pagkakataong ito, ako naman ang gagawa ng paraan para sa mga bagay na gagawin ko. My mom and dad finally settled on their seats while we're waiting for my troublesome brothers.

"Ano bang sasabihin mo, Lav?" tanong ni mom.

"Let's wait everyone na lang po muna," sagot ko sa kanya.

"That should be good," sabi naman ni dad. I was expecting for him to say that, but I also hope what I will do be a good thing for me. Sana sa pagkakataong ito ay susuportahan nila ako gaya ng pagsuporta nila sa mga kuya ko.

Ilang saglit lang din naman ay nagsidatingan na sa living area ang mga kuya. I was surprised to see Arianed with Kuya Wel today. Mukhang nakakaamoy engagement ako sa susunod na mga buwan. Hindi ko naman sisirain ang plano ni kuya if ever mang mag-propose siya sa kay Ariane sooner or later. Kuya Nico was behind them, as usual from his unbothered look.

When everyone finally settled on their seats, I stood up in the center with a better view of seeing them all. As their attention fell on me, I felt a sudden prick of something in my body and that made me nervous for a moment. I washed out the worry out of my head to be able to continue my purpose of bothering them all today.

"As much as I hated everyone to bother at this moment, but I would just like to announce something," panimula ko.

"Buntis ka 'no?' tawa pa ni Kuya Wel.

"Teka! I was about to say it first before you have to!" I exclaimed.

"Seila?!" halos hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Kuya Nico.

Mom and dad was left speechless while Ariane on the other hand clapped her hands and cheered for me. Nanatili naman akong asar at kalmado.

"Teka... nag-jo-joke lang naman ako." Napakamot sa kanyang ulo si Kuya Wel.

Kuya Nico shook his head. "That's crazy. Gano'n ba kabilis ang sperm ng hapon na 'yon at nadali ka kaagad? Pero totoo nga ba, Seila?"

"Will I be having my second grandchild?" tanong ni mom.

"Imposible," ngisi pa ni Kuya Nico. "But is it really true, Seila? Or maybe it did happen way before you came back here?"

When I couldn't hold my laughter anymore, gusto kong maghalumpasay sa paligid. Napuno lalo ng irita ang mukha ng dalawa kong kapatid habang narinig ko naman ang mga buntong-hininga ng magulang ko. Ariane on the other hand still clapped her hand 'cause she told it was a good prank and she then questioned me if it's really a prank of not.

"It was a joke," paliwanag ko. "I wasn't thinking about that then Kuya Wel spoke about it. But to be honest, nothing happened between me and Trent so that should make everyone fine. But he's also the reason why I'm making this announcement. I'm asking everyone if staying in Japan and living with Trent I would get all of your approval?"

It was then a paused for everyone to think about it and I let them processed it all. I was expecting to hear more from my dad and Kuya Nico which they were the one who holds his family together while mom keeps the family felt so love while Kuya Wel does anything playfully but smart.

"We don't know if we could trust this guy and make you depend on your life with him," Kuya Nico said, obviously was the one first who has a say to everything. But I have no idea what he would say.

His words has an impact to my parents and it could change their mind quickly as well but this decision has already been made before I gathered all of them. It's just that I'm making it more formal than I did before that no one knew I left to work in Japan.

"But I have met Trent and he was serious of being with you," he continued. "I've heard his name before, but I never actually had an idea who was he. That's when I found out and Seila and Trent. I eventually understood where Seila's coming from and how this man became her happiness at some point in her life in Japan. He's true to himself. He's a man of his word. He's a person I could entrust my little sister to another man."

"I also believed that," Kuya Welbourne raised his hand. "I never met Trent personally but when Nico told me about him back in New Zealand, maybe we don't have to try to hard protecting you because you know to yourself when you know when it was wrong and when it's not. You perfectly fit for Trent... somehow that I and Nico can't change. If you're in love with him, be in love. Don't limit yourself because if you did, that's when you will be hurting."

"I wanna add something," Ariane interjected. "When I met Wel, he was very protective of me. He kept checking on me from time to time kahit hindi pa kami official no'n. He already cared for me kahit wala pang assurance na ibibigay ko ang oo ko sa kanya. I found out that a Mercondia has this kind of attitude na ma-protektado, maalalahanin, matapang, at higit sa lahat ay mapagmahal. You were so lucky Seila kasi kapatid mo sina NIco at Wel. They protected you, love you and everything they could have done for you. And when you believed Trent was the one, never cut the rope—it means something but hello billionaire rin kaya 'yon."

Nabali sa tawanan ang huling sinabi ni Ariane, and she's right. Upon growing up, my brothers protected and loved me at all cost kaya siguro habang lumalaki ako ay hindi na ako nasasanay. Na pakiramdam ko ay na-su-suffocate na ako. But maybe that's just us being a Mercondia. Wala na akong magagawa ro'n. It's part of our genes na. But it's the decision that matters so whatever may come at my way, I'll be choosing the right thing for me.

"Do what you think is before for you, Seila." I shifted my head to dad, which surprisingly, never expecting to hear those exact words from him regarding my choices now.

Bahagya naman akong napangiti. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ang bilis ng kabog ng dibdib ko. Siguro dahil nakukuha ko na ang suporta sa kanila. Na pumapayag sila sa gagawin kong desisyon kahit sabihin nang wala pang kasiguraduhan but I'm ready to take that risk kasi hindi rin ako makaka-move on sa kinalulugaran ko ngayon kung mananatili akong takot.

"We only want you be happy, Lav," mangiyak-ngiyak na tugon sa akin ni mom. Tumayo naman siya sa kinauupan niya at kanyang binuka ang kamay upang bigyan ako ng yakap.

She really had tears in her eyes when we hugged at inuwi ko na lamang sa tawa upang hind imaging ma-drama ang sitwasyon. Bago ako pakawalan ni mom ay may salita siyang ibinulong sa akin na hindi ko alam kung matatawa o mahihiya na lang ako.

I want twins.

Sure, it can happen dahil ang mother side ni mom ay may mga kambal and unfortunate of us na hindi pinagpala but maybe to our offsprings. Hindi ko naman sinasarado ang sarili ko sa mga pagkakataong iyon. I want to have a family of my own at sa puntong ito, I am seeing my future with Trent.

Nang pinakawalan naman ako ni mom ay lumapit naman si dad para yakapin ako. This was so emotional for me pero pinipigilan ko lang din talagang umiyak. Baka pag-umiyak pa ako ay pagbawalan nila akong umalis at iba-baby pa nila ako ng tuluyan.

It was a comforting hug that I received from my father. It is I know na hahayaan niya ako sa gagawin kong desisyon at binibigay niya ang tiwala na hindi mapupunta sa kapamahakan ang sarili ko.

"I'm ready where your future would take you, Seila," father said, he then took a breath. Alam nang pinipigilan niya ring maging emosyonal. "And if you need some help, we'll be right for you, okay?"

Tumango ako. "Yes, dad, thank you..."

Muli ko siyang niyakap hangga't sa napagdesisyon nang umalis ni mom at dad sa living room dahil may gagawin pa silang dalawa. When I was left with my brothers and Ariane, Ramdam ko naman ang suporta ng magjowa but then I noticed that kuya Nico has been quiet. Hindi ko sure kung normal na lang ba talaga ang ganitong reaksyon niya o hindi.

When Kuya Welbourne and Ariane kept talking to me, Kuya Nico came in requesting if they could left us alone. Pumayag naman ang magjowa at tumungo sila sa garden. Nang maiwan naman kaming dalawa ni kuya ay umupo naman kaming dalawa. At that point, I know our conversation will be gone serious kaya hinanda ko na rin ang sarili ko for possible questions na ibabato niya sa akin.

But he took his time before start speaking. Inabot ko naman ang kamay ni kuya at isang malalim naman ang pinakawalan niya. Muli siyang umayos ng pagkakaupo. Bahagya naman akong natawa.

"Kuya, chill ka lang," I reminded him.

Muli siyang napahugot ng hininga at napailing. Napa-de-quatro naman ito at sabay kinuyakoy.

"I know you're worried," I started and then he threw that look at me. Iyong mukha na ayaw niyang maulit iyong nagawa niya before na he will take my happiness because of his way of protecting me.

"I am," aniya at napalunok ng laway. "Are you really you want to do that, Seila?" Kuya Nico asked. I could sense the worry in his tone. Of course, what a big brother usually does to his little siblings but we're not little anymore and we can carry ourselves now. Minsan na-re-realize ko na lang na may mga bagay talagang hindi nagbabago.

Tumango na ako na may paninindigan sa desisyon. "I believe I am, kuya."

"How are you sure?"

"In short, ganito na lang," aniko at ako naman ang nagsimulang umayos sa pagkakaupo para maipaliwanag ko rin ng maayos sa kanya. "When I was in Japan, I wasn't sure of what I'm doing but to be away from everyone. I thought doing something out of I usually do was enough for me until Trent started to make me feel something na ayaw niyang mawala sa piling. I know it's hard to believe at first. Hindi rin naman ako naniwala nang sabihin niya iyon sa akin. Because I believe hindi niya ako deserved at some point. He deserved someone else—more than who I am. Pero he still wanted to be with me.

"Pinaniwala ko rin sa sarili ko trabaho lang talaga ang magiging konesyon sa aming dalawa at hindi isang relasyon. Yes, at some point back in Tokyo, I fell for him but I stopped pursuing it kasi ayoko siyang masaktan in the end at ayoko rin namang saktan ang sarili ko. So, I chose to sacrifice myself than to be with him.

"But today, after he came here to see me, I finally figured out na wala naman ako sa tamang desisyon para sabihin kong hindi niya ako deserved at hindi ko rin siya deserved. If two people really love each other at gagawin ang lahat para lang maibalik sa dati ang lahat, I think that's worth it. Tren'ts worth it. Kaya don't worry, I also believe na hindi naman niya ako papabayaan kasi nga nagsimula ako bilang nanny niya and yet, he doesn't make me feel anything at ngayon pa kayang nagbago na ang lahat? Mas naliwanagan na ko."

"Pa'no 'yong liwanag, Seila? Naging araw ka ba?" he laughed, and I did, too, but I know he's just trying to take it easy. Saglit lang din naman ng bumalik sa pagiging seryoso ang lahat. "Hindi naman kita pipigilang lumapit kay Trent. If you really thought he's the one, then I'm also all for it. Susuportahan kita hanggang sa dulo, but if Trent hurt you, ako ang makakatapat niya. I'm not worried—"

"I know... you're just being my brother so I understand." Pinalapit ko naman siya para yakapin siya at sakto naman naman bigla akong may naalala. "Oh gosh!"

He pulled away, baka ang pagtataka sa kanyang mukha. "What? What happened?"

"I forgot to tell everyone that I already bought my ticket there and I'm gonna be flying there next two weeks."

Napangisi naman si kuya. "Good luck finding them around," aniya at saka tumayo na sa kinauupuan. "But remember what I said, Seila."

I nodded at bago niya ako iwan ay may pinahabol akong paalala rin sa kanya. "You know kuya, it's not easy to forget what your ex-wife did to you before but at least forgive her for the sake of your son. I know you went to see him on his birthday but you know to yourself that it wasn't enough... that you also wanted to be called daddy by your own son."

He pressed his lips together and nodded. "I'll think about it, Seila," he said and then walked away.

When I'm already done telling everybody about my flight to Tokyo in the next coming weeks, hindi na ako mapakali. I started settling my documents and other things so I can finally stay there with Trent. And for two weeks, Trent and I were just talking over the phone as he couldn't wait to see me back in his unit.

Hindi rin naman makapaniwala si Sasa that after two months, makakabalik na ako sa Japan.

And when the moment I was about to leave the country, my parents and brothers were there to send me to the airport and I know this feels like na mag-aabroad ako sa Saudi Arabia at hindi uuwi ng lima hanggang sampung taon but I guess that what's everyone feels like. Kahit ako naman.

But I know everything should be fine. They can visit me in Tokyo anytime... and maybe, I wasn't expecting sooner, but to our wedding... if that's even going to happen. But nothing's impossible.

Because in the end, a Mercondia always finds a way. And I can see, Tokyo's waving at me now.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

#NightLifeInTokyo30 #NLI30 #WT3

Interact with me on Twitter >>> @Imjacobxoxo