Always Coming Back (Chasing Dreams Series #2) [COMPLETED | Wattys2020]

Chapter 59

The last time my family saw me, I was Harmony Eloise Heytzenstein Travilla. I, getting off the plane as Mrs. Gutiérrez, knocked the hell out of them as they didn't see it coming.

It hasn't completely sunk into me that we're in a different country as we keep on jumping from one place to another. But as our car was passing through the busy streets and endless centuries-old buildings, it was then when I realized that I'm finally back in Munich.

Ate Maxine, Ate Symphony, and I went here last summer, but it's crazy 'cause it felt like it happened years ago. I just missed the feeling of walking in the library to study the history; visiting numerous museums to see some new discoveries; having my own piano recitals at the center of the borough so I could play my grandfather's compositions that he wished to share with my generation; and attending seminars to expand my knowledge in architecture. Those are some things that I enjoy doing in here. But to do it all again together with Seija is a whole new level of experience.

Down the Isar river in Herzogpark is a quiet, secretive and highly exclusive residential area north of Alt-Bogenhausen. It's hidden in lush vegetation, making it impossible to see from the outside. The streets are lined with early-20th century villas as well as modern villas which are owned by old money families, famous writers, artists, musicians, politicians, celebrities, and businessmen.

At exactly 11 a.m. and a day after our wedding, Seija and I arrived in the two-story modern villa that has acres of gardens. Isa ito sa villa na pagmamay-ari nina Tito Michael. Kalat-kalat ang properties nila sa bansa, lalong-lalo na sa Frankfurt dahil naroon ang headquarters ng Schmidt Holdings Inc.

A little backstory about my family, ang grandparents ko (maternal side) ay parehong nanirahan sa Germany sa simula't sapul. And so, Tita Melanie and my mom grew up in here. Nagkakilala naman sa Pilipinas ang mga magulang ko nang nag-bakasyon doon sina Mommy. The two met at Harrison Plaza, and then Ate Symphony made her first wave a year later.

On the other hand, the Heytzenstein's villa is located in the street known as Thomas-Mann-Alle. Mamaya ay tutungo kami doon upang bisitahin ang mga naiwang kamag-anak ni Lolo Vlad. Ganoon rin sa mga kamag-anak ni Lola Mila (na half-Filipino half-German). The Hoffmans are from Schwabing, a borough of Munich, so it would be easy for us to visit them. But until now, hindi namin kilala ang mga kamag-anak ni Lola Mila sa Pilipinas.

"My daughter, my own flesh, betrayed me," Mommy said emotionally the moment we passed the threshold.

"Come on, Mom! Today's January 6!" Humiwalay ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at masayang ipinakita ang wedding ring na nasa kaliwang kamay ko. "Happy birthday! This is your gift from Spain. Ayaw mo pa?"

"Birthday gift ka diyan! Hindi mo nakita 'yung hinanda kong party para kina Arthr at Betty." Pinalatakan niya ako at hinawi para kausapin ang asawa kong nasa likuran. "Sean, kumusta ang flight? Tuloy ka..."

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko.
I pouted and walked towards my father. Mahigpit na yakap ang ibinigay niya sa akin at nang kumalas ay nagbabadya nang tumulo ang kanyang mga luha. Seconds later, I heard my mother sobbed as she asked Seija how did our wedding go.

"Oh, Dad!" My eyes heated up as well. "Ikinasal na po kami ni Seija. Are you mad at me?"

"N-No. No..." He shook his head and used the back of his hand to wipe his tears. "Why would I be mad? Kahit nagtatampo ang mommy mo dahil hindi man lang namin nasaksihan ang kasal mo, masaya kami para sa inyo ni Sean. Walang katumbas na saya..."

I looked back and held my mother's hand before I hugged them both. Seija flashed a smile as he lowered his head to give us some privacy. Dinama ko ang mahigpit na yakap ng mga magulang ko at napaiyak sa labis na kagalakan.