Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 33

"A-Apo..." Lala stood from her seat and run towards me, pero tumigil s'ya sa kalagitnaan. Like she was restraining herself to get nearer.

"La..." sabi ko, ako na ang lumapit sa kanya at yumakap. I missed her. Her bedtime stories, her food, the way she braids my hair, everything about her.

She was the one who cared for me when no one else has. The back of her eyelids tells the most beautiful stories the universe has. She treated me as her most prized possession, her ember, handled with a mother's gentle care.

"Apo... Miss ka na ni Lala," her hand traveled to my back and she caressed is tenderly.

"Priya." It was Lolo Joaquin and Isidro who stood up. Tapos na silang kumain. I gave them a small smile. Bumitaw ako sa pagkakayakap kay Lala at pumunta sa direksyon nila.

"Magandang araw po," pagbati ko. Lumapit sa'kin si Lolo Joaquin na medyo nanginginig pa ang kamay. I gave him a signal to show him that's it's okay.

They say forgetting is easier than forgiving. No, hindi ko yata kayanh kalimutan ang mga taong tumulong sa'kin noong walang wala ako. My father was at fault too, nabulag ako ng galit na dahil ng mga Agustin kung bakit wala sa tabi ko ang pamilya ko. We all have our shares of mistakes and the only thing left to do is to fix them.

"Patawad, a-apo... patawarin mo s-si Lolo... H-Hindi ko dapat g-ginawa y-yon... Sana... s-sana nandito p-pa..." I pulled Lolo Joaquin close for a hug. The whole table fell silent, I heard some of them sobbing.

Kumpleto nga pala sila. Lolo Joaquin's three sons with their wives. Kasama ang mga apo, silang magpipinsan. Lorenzo, Isidro, Melissa, Magnus the one from the party and Maximus, my doctor.

"Hi, P-Priya," Isidro's voice broke. Pinunasan n'ya ang pisngi n'ya bago lumapit sa'kin.

"Bakit ka ba umiiyak?" natatawang tanong ko but I was also crying.

"Miss na m-miss na kita. Ang tagal mong nawala, P-Priya... Iniwan mo k-kami ni K-Kuya..." mas humigpit ang yakap n'ya. He cried like a kid.

"I missed you more, S-Sid. I'm sure miss ka na rin ni K-Kael," I sincerely told him.

"Hey, that's enough," pinaghiwalay naman kami ni Lorenzo.

"Kuya naman, akala mo aagawin ko," bulong ni Isidro. Napatawa naman ako sa kanila.

"Priya!" sigaw ni Melissa at inikot ang lamesa para tumakbo papunta sa'kin. "Gaga, namiss kita."

"I missed you too," I honestly told her.

"I believe we've met, milady," Magnus, nakita ko na s'ya noon. He was present the day my brother passed away, kasama s'ya nina Lorenzo sa paghahanap sa amin.

"Architect," tawag ni Doc. Inirapan ko s'ya. "What?"

"Kaya pala ang sungit sungit mo, kalahi mo pala talaga sila," bulong ko sa kanya. He only chuckled.

"Iha..." tt was Lorenzo's parents turn. Mrs. Vira Lauren Agustin and Mr. Ignicio Agustin, showing off respect and power, it really runs in their family huh.

Naroon din ang mag-asawang Melani Agustin at Savien Agustin, Melissa's parents. Also Mrs. Maxima and Mr. Lucius Agustin, ang mga magulang naman nina Magnus at Maximus.

Isa isa talaga silang humingi ng paumanhin sa'kin. And they were careful about talking to me, I can see how well they're bonded. His family showered me with compliments, pleasant words and everything else to make me feel comfortable. They welcomed me like I belong with them. It was rare to find a love like this. Like I'm the happiest person alive. I had been speaking hatred like it's my native language but they thought me how to speak love, fluently.