Dreams Into Reality

Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Welcome

My Mom's about to answer when Sapphire suddenly walked towards our father and stretched out her hand to offer a hand shake, introducing herself with a wide smile.

"Hello po!" Sapphire cheerfully greeted our father. "I'm Sapphire Jewel Espino. Nice meeting you po."

Dad's jaw slightly dropped when Sapphire introduced herself to him. His eyes were scanning my sister's face, maybe trying to see the resemblance she got from him. Well, when you stare at my sister, there's no doubt that you won't see any resemblance from my father. Her eyes, nose and lips screams my father's genes.

Once you looked at her, you can definitely see the Espino look that our family has. That's why Ate Airene immediately noticed that she belongs to our family in one picture.

"Sapphire..." My dad trailed off, tears were starting to form inside his eyes. "Sapphire Jewel... E-Espino?" he stuttered.

"Uhm... Opo." nag-aalangan nang sagot ng kapatid ko dahil sa pinapakitang reaksyon ni Daddy but she managed to give a wide smile again and grabbed my father's hand for a shake. "Magandang gabi po." she greeted him again with a perfect Tagalog intonation and pronounciation.

"H-How old are you?" Dad asked Sapphire, he kept on holding Sapphire's hand.

"I'm fifteen years old po." she politely answered.

Nilingon ko si Lexie na ngayo'y nakakunot ang noo habang tinitignan si Sapphire at si Daddy.

Looking at Lexie, of course may nananalaytay na dugong Espino sa kaniya ngunit mas kitang-kita ang pagiging Ramirez niya. Her facial features were almost the same with Daniel. Ang namana niya lang ata kay Daddy ay ang height niya at ang face shape niya.

Maybe ito 'yong sinasabi ni Rico na hindi niya magawang matanggap si Lexie na Espino because she doesn't look like one. Nagbiro pa nga siya na baka daw kaya mas kamukha nito si Tita Trina dahil si Tita Trina daw ang mas nagmamahal kay Daddy habang kaya ako daw ay nagmana kay Daddy dahil mahal na mahal daw ni Daddy si Mommy.

But I doubt Rico's theory...

If my father really loved my mother before, he wouldn't cheat. He wouldn't do anything that can hurt my mother and that also includes me at ang kapatid kong walang kamuwang-muwang.

"Where were you born?" Dad asked next.

"My Mom told me that she gave birth to me here in the Philippines but I grew up in Canada with Mom. Right, Mom?" sagot ni Sapphire bago nilingon si Mommy na ngayo'y umiiyak na.

Napatigil si Sapphire at pilit na bumitaw sa pagkakahawak ni Daddy sa kaniyang kamay nang makitang umiiyak si Mommy upang malapitan ito.

"Mom, why are you crying po?" My sister worriedly asked and I looked away because I'm also about to burst my tears.

I don't want to cry tonight. I want to show my Dad that I'm strong to fight for our family. I can't just gave in. Wala pa nga kami sa gitna ng laban. Nagsisimula palang kami. I have to be strong. I have to remain firm.

"Beatrice..." malambig na pagtawag ni Daddy kay Mommy. "Bea..."

Lumakas ang hikbi ni Mommy nang tawagin siya ni Daddy gamit ang kaniyang palayaw. Sa sobrang lambing at lambot ng pagkakatawag ni Daddy ay talagang mapapabigay si Mommy dahil kahit ako'y nangulila rin sa ganoong klase nang pagtawag ni Daddy kay Mommy.

Dad's voice was so nostalgic. His simple way of calling Mom brought back a thousands of memories.

"Mommy... Why?" my sister's on the verge of also crying because of her worriedness for our Mom.