Love Me in Brooklyn

Epilogue

Kaya hindi ko siya bibitawan kahit anong mangyari.

"Milo, ilabas mo nga muna silang dalawa!" utos ng Tita ni Sab. Her cousin pulled her and Marina out of the room in an instant. Nagkakagulo na kasi at halos lahat ay tumataas na ang boses.

I was left alone to defend myself. Alam kong medyo sira na agad ang imahe ko sa mata nila pero hindi pa huli ang lahat.

"I can't believe this." Napaupo ang tatay ni Sab at huminga ng malalim. Napailing lang naman ang nanay ni Marina at inabutan ng tubig ang kapatid niya. I took that opportunity to talk.

"Sir, I can assure you, I have no ill intentions towards your daughter. The first time she stayed at my place was the night she was locked in a room for hours by some girls who hate her. She needed comfort from me and so, I brought her to my apartment. But that was it. We just slept together. 'Yung sumunod na pagkakataon naman po, nakatulog kami sa living room at ginabi na kaya hindi na kami umalis. She doesn't stay at my place every night. Alam po naming dalawa na hindi rin dapat."

Tahimik ang lahat at nakikinig lang sa akin. I continued explaining my side since they're still giving me the chance to.

"Wala po talagang nangyayari sa amin ni Sab at wala po sa isip ko 'yon ngayon. We're young and we have a bright future ahead of us. My mom is the director of our school. She represents Brooklyn High University. I will not do anything to tarnish her name, same with Sab. Hindi ko ho sisirain ang pangalan at dignidad niya."

Tumingin lang sa akin si Tito habang kung ano-ano naman ang sinasabi ng tatay ni Simeon. I wanted to stop him from feeding everyone in the room non-sense things, but at the end of the day, he's still an elder. Hindi ko siya pwedeng bastusin.

I just have to prove to them that they can trust me.

I closed my eyes for a second to calm myself before I pulled out a small box inside the pocket of my jacket. Ipinatong ko iyon sa harapan ko at ipinakita sa kanilang lahat. Tita Myra gasped while Lucas smiled. Alam ni Lucas ito dahil kasama ko siyang namili.

Kumunot naman ang noo ni Tito pati na sila Simeon, nang mapagtanto nilang wedding ring ang nasa loob nito.

"I love Savannah so much. She's my first girlfriend and I am hoping she will also be my last. Wala po akong planong magmahal pa ng iba. It's only going to be her till my dying breath." Ngumiti ako dahil sa buong buhay ko, ngayon lang ako sobrang naging sigurado.

"Sir, I want to marry your daughter. Seryoso po ako sa anak niyo. I will protect her with my life. Hindi ako gagawa ng kahit na ano na ikasasama niya. Kaya nakikiusap po ako sa inyo, bigyan niyo ako ng pagkakataon na patunayang nararapat ako kay Sab."

"Oh my ghad!" Napatakip pa ng bibig si Tita Myra at nagpigil ng luha.

Simeon's father hissed. "Pare, halata namang panay salita lang ang binatilyong ito. Anong alam niyan sa buhay? E mukhang spoiled brat nga. Kita mo nga ang kutis, napakaputi! Siguradong ni minsan hindi nagbanat ng buto 'yan."

"Tsaka tito, wala naman alam 'yang si Russell sa pagaararo at pagtatanim. Sab should marry someone who can continue your hardwork and family name. At ako po 'yon."

Bago pa makapagisip ang tatay ni Sab ay agad akong kumontra. I don't want him to believe the words of these two men.

"Sir, if you want me to work here on the farm, I will, once I graduate. Mabilis po akong matuto. I am good at anything I put my mind to."