Tiningnan ko si Lucian ng pabalik balik sya ng lakad sa harapan ko. Kanina pa sya hindi napakali kesyo daw baka hindi sya matanggap ng anak ko. Pinilit ko syang huwag nalang sumama sakin na sunduin ang anak ko. Ayaw ko naman biglain si Elle lalo na at wala syang kinikilalang ama.
He insisted on driving me to school because he couldn't wait to see his daughter. Now, I feel like he regrets his decision. I look away, and there I saw Elle running towards me. Umayos ako ng tayo at pinanood sya habang may mga ngiti na nakaukit sa labi ko.
Elle's eyes light up as she spots us, and without hesitation, she throws herself into my arms. "Mom!" she exclaims, hugging me tightly. I smile down at her, hinalikan ko sya sa kanyang noo.
I glance at Lucian, who seems taken aback by the sudden affection. Sinuklay ko ang buhok ni Elle gamit ang mga kamay ko tsaka ko sya pinantayan ng tingin. "Elle, this is someone very special," I say, gesturing towards him. "This is your father, Lucian."
Nervousness struck me as I observed my daughter's cold emotion. She bit her lips, and tears began to flow.
"I hate you!" Elle shouted, her words cutting through the air. I hugged her tightly, trying to provide comfort amid the emotional storm.
Lucian, though visibly hurt, stood patiently. "Elle, I understand if you're upset. I'm here to make things right," he said gently, reaching out to wipe away her tears.
Elle pushed him away, still overwhelmed with anger. "You left us! Mom was sad, and I cried so many times," she confessed, her voice quivering.
Lucian took a deep breath, his determination unwavering. "I know I made mistakes, Elle. I want to be there for both of you now. What can I do to make things better?"
Elle remained silent, treating Lucian as a stranger, distant and guarded. Lucian persisted in his efforts to win her over. Each day, he showered her with toys she had always wanted, attempting to break through the walls she had built.
Despite the sleepless nights consumed by paperwork for his company, Lucian prioritized his time with Elle. He engaged in playful activities, shared laughter, and tirelessly sought ways to bring joy into her life. Lahat ginagawa niya para sa amin kahit na ang kapalit pa nun ay wala syang tulog.
As I observed Lucian's unwavering commitment, I couldn't help but notice the genuine effort he put into understanding Elle's world. Mas lalo lang akong nahulog dahil sa mga ipinakita niya sa aming mag ina.His gestures, though small, carried a profound sincerity that echoed his desire to be a father figure in her life.
Naka ngiti kong tiningnan ang mag ama ko, nasa kandungan ni Lucian si Elle at sinusubuan niya ito. Panay then ang pag share ni Elle ng kung ano anong kwento at panay naman ngiti at tango si Lucian.
"You know, Daddy, I have a classmate named Zyno courting me," Elle said, her eyes sparkling. "He said he has a crush on me and loves me. But don't worry, Dad, I rejected him because he's ugly."
Lucian chuckled, "Very good. You can be in a relationship at the age of 28, understood? Anyway, let's go. You'll be late for school." Tumingin sa akin si Lucian at hinalikan ako sa labi ng mabilis.
When they were on our way to school, Elle suddenly said she wants to see me in a white long gown, walking down the aisle.
"Dad, when are you going to propose to Mom? I can't wait," Elle asked eagerly.
I was caught off guard, quickly looking at Lucian. I didn't want him to feel pressured, especially not because of my daughter's words.
"I'm just waiting for the right time to hear your mom say 'Yes.' I'm not courting her to be my girlfriend, you know girlfriend and boyfriend are for teens only. I'm courting her to be my wife," Lucian said with determination, his words echoing in the car.
Hindi ko sya pinansin. Nang makarating na kami sa school ay pareho naming hinatid si Elle sa kanyang room.
As Elle excitedly entered her school, Lucian turned to me with a warm smile. "She's quite a character," he remarked.
I chuckled, "Yes, she definitely keeps us on our toes. But I appreciate how patient you've been with her."
Lucian nodded, "I want her to know that I'm here for her, no matter what. And I want you to know that I'm committed to making things right between us."
Nginitian ko sya ng matamis tsaka kami pumasok sa sasakyan at umuslwi sa bahay. I cook food for us, hinahayaan ko nalang si Lucian na ginagawa ang trabaho nya. He had a zoom meeting together with the board member.
While preparing the food, I felt a familiar arm wrap around my waist, and a gentle kiss landed on my nape. I turned around to find Lucian, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Need any help in the kitchen, or should I just enjoy the view?" he teased, his lips curving into a mischievous smile.
I laughed, "You can chop some veggies. It'll save me from accidentally turning our dinner into a salad."
Lucian chuckled and joined me in the kitchen, his presence adding a delightful warmth to the space. As we cooked together, our conversation flowed effortlessly.
"You know," Lucian began, his tone softening, "even though Elle is still adjusting, I feel grateful for every moment we spend together."
I smiled, "I'm glad you're being patient with her. It means a lot to both of us."
He nodded, "I want her to see me not just as a father but as someone who genuinely cares. And I want you to know, I care about you too."
His words melted my heart, and I couldn't help but express my feelings. "Lucian, I appreciate the effort you're putting into this. It's not easy, but I see the sincerity in your actions."
He leaned in, planting a sweet kiss on my cheek. "I want to be the father Elle deserves and the partner you deserve."
I returned the gesture with a soft peck on his lips, "You're doing a great job, Lucian. And I look forward to our future together."
After we eat our lunch together ay agad syang nag paalam sa akin dahil may kikitain daw sya kaya naman nung oras na ng uwian nila ni Elle ay ako lang mag isa ang mag sundo sa kanya.
" Why are you crying baby? " Tanong ko ni Elle ng makita kong mugto ang kanyang mga mata.
" Someone bullied me, they said na We are not complete family kasi you both are not married mommy. You have different surname daw kasi" conyo niyabg sumbong sa akin. Natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya. " I away them, and told them that I have daddy and he will propose you soon, pero tunawa lang sila" patuloy niya kahit na mali mali na ang tagalog na sinabi niya.
I wiped away Elle's tears and hugged her tightly. "Hey, don't let what others say bother you, sweetheart. What matters is that we love each other, right?"
She nodded, her small voice filled with determination, "Yes, Mommy. I love you and Daddy, and that's what's important."
Pumasok kami sa isang coffee shop at tsaka kami ng order ng cake at iyong favorite na drink na Elle. Habang ininom ko yong akin, biglang nag paalam si Elle na mag c-cr lang. I insist to go with her pero sinabi niya lang na big girl na sya kaya sinundan ko nalang sya ng tingin.
As I waited for Elle to come back, someone approached me from behind, placing a handkerchief over my eyes and guiding me towards a car. My heart raced, nerves tingling, especially with Elle still in the restroom.
I couldn't help but shout at the top of my lungs, "Who's there? What's happening?"
The mysterious presence reassured me, "Don't worry; it's all part of the surprise."
I hesitated but decided to trust the unexpected moment. The car ride was short, and as we came to a stop, the blindfold was gently removed. To my amazement, I found myself in a beautifully decorated venue with fairy lights, candles, and soft music playing in the background.
Lucian stood there, a smile playing on his lips. "Surprise! I wanted to create a special moment for us."
Elle emerged from the shadows, holding a bouquet of flowers. "Mom, this is for you. Dad said it's part of the surprise."
Touched by the gesture, I took the flowers, feeling a mixture of emotions. "Thank you, sweetheart. What's all this about, Lucian?"
Lucian took a deep breath, a glint of love and sincerity in his eyes. "Sonne, from the first moment I saw you, I knew there was something special about you. Your strength, your kindness, and the way you love Elle—it's truly inspiring. Physically, you're stunning, but it's the beauty within you that captivates me the most."
He knelt down, taking my hand in his. "Mentally, you're brilliant, Sonne. Your intellect, your wisdom—every conversation with you enriches my life. But more than that, it's your heart, your compassion, that makes you truly remarkable."
I couldn't hold back the tears as he continued, "And emotionally, you've shown resilience, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to Elle. I adore every part of you, Sonne—from your strengths to your vulnerabilities. Will you make me the happiest man and marry me?"
He opened a small box, revealing a breathtaking ring, and my heart swelled with love. Through teary eyes, I nodded, "Yes, Lucian. Yes, a thousand times."
Elle clapped, overjoyed. "Now we're a real family with the same last name!"
The enchanting moment continued as Lucian stood, his eyes reflecting an overwhelming joy. He gently slid the ring onto my finger, sealing the promise of a future filled with love and unity.
Elle, with a beaming smile, exclaimed, "Mom, Dad, I'm so happy!"
We embraced in a tight family hug, and Lucian whispered, "Thank you for completing us, Sonne. I promise to cherish and love you both every day."
As the night drew to a close, Lucian whispered, "I meant every word, Sonne. You've made my life richer in every way."
I kissed him, feeling the depth of our connection, and Elle joined in for a group hug. In that sweet moment, the past hardships melted away, replaced by a shared journey toward a brighter tomorrow.
In a big room, Lucian looked strong and important, catching the attention of the people he led. He proudly introduced us, his new family, to important people in the room. This was a special moment, showing how strong our connection was, even when things were tough.
People clapped, and I felt really proud. They didn't know the difficult journey we went through to get here. Lucian, who used to be alone in politics, was now standing with us. As everyone watched us closely, a hidden problem that troubled the Governor was going to be revealed, and it would change our lives. Now, the Governor's secret Affliction would come out, showing a part of our family story that was both fragile and strong, reshaping our role in the complicated mix of power and love.
*****
Next stop, Epilogue