Painted by Fate (✔️)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The surname of my father... The surname that I just carried in just a short period of time... The surname that reminded me of him and his disappearance without my knowledge about his reason.

Is it just a coincidence? Is he my father's son? Sila ba ang bago niyang pamilya? Pero... maraming Fontana sa Italy... hindi naman siguro.

Perhaps he is connected to him... but he isn't his son. I was hoping because I can't bear to think the possibility that he's with his new family right now. Ayaw kong marinig kung makabalita man. It is possible... but I don't wanna know.

I breathed deeply.

"Hey... are you okay?"

Napakurap ako nang may narinig na boses kaya roon ko lang namalayan ang likidong nagmumula sa mga mata ko. I looked in front, and realized that Stefano was still in front of me. He always has that teasing look, but right now... I saw a different emotion on his eyes. He was worried.

Lumapit siya sa 'kin ay naramdaman ko na lang ang pag-punas niya ng panyo sa aking magkabilang pisngi. I stiffened... and seems like I forgot how to move because of his abrupt movement.

Umatras ako't idinako ang mga mata sa ID niya na nasa ibaba pa rin... kitang-kita ko pa rin ang apelyido niya na hindi na yata ako lulubayan.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was just joking earlier. My cousin and I are used to joke around that's why I just easily spitted that out ogf my mouth. I didn't know that you'll be affected like this."

Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Stefano dahil sa sinabi nito. His face already softened.

Ako na ang nagpunas ng luha sa mukha ko't agaran nang tumalikod dahil hindi ko na kaya pang tingnan siya. I was thankful that he didn't notice my sudden silent outburst upon seeing his ID. Hindi niya yata napagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpasada ng mga mata ko roon.

Kung nahalata man niya, hindi ko alam kung paano ipapaliwanag. I breathed profoundly while walking towards the end of the building... sinasakop pa rin ang isipan sa nakita.

Hindi ko namalayang sunod-sunod na tumulo ulit ang luha mula sa mga mata ko. And then because I couldn't refrain anymore... I silently sobbed while holding my entire face... remembering the pain and and question mark that I had to live inside me because of my father's disappearance in our lives.

Sa tuwing nakakakita ako ng bagay na magtutulak sa aking maalala siya ay umiiyak ako nang ganito. I thought I was already fine because since last year when I got here, I always smile and laugh genuinely because of my friends... pero hindi pa rin pala.

Naiisip ko na naman kung paano kaya kung hanggang ngayo'y buo pa rin kami? Siguro wala ako rito, nandoon pa rin ako sa Italy, continuing my study. Hindi ko sana ito nararamdaman ngayon. Siguro hindi ako gabi-gabing nakatulala't nag-iisip kung ano ba talaga 'yong rason niya... On why did he leave us. Siguro walang posibilidad na pumapasok sa isipan ko na may iba na siyang pamilya.

Hindi ba kami sapat? I once asked my mother if what was his reason that time because I was still young that couldn't process the entirety of our situation... but her answer was the same as mine. She doesn't know, too.

Ang pag-alis niya't pagpapalayas sa amin ay hindi niya inaasahan at napaghandaan. She told me that he left us with puzzled questions... agonizing tears... unbearable continuation of living.

Napatingin ako sa ulan na patuloy pa ring bumubuhos. Hindi ko akalaing dadamayan ako nito sa dalawang rason ngayong hapon.

I was about to walk but I felt a hand grabbing my arm. Tumingala ako at nakasalubong ang seryosong mga mata ni Stefano.