CHAPTER 39
KANINA pa tahimik si Hunter habang nasa biyahe sila patungo sa condo niya. Seryoso itong nagmamaneho. Hinawakan niya ang isang kamay ng fiance. Ilang sandali itong napasulyap sa kaniya. He smiled nervously. Malamig ang kamay nito.
Hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya kay Hunter. Parang ngayon niya lamang nakita na tila nenenerbiyos ito. And she finds it cute.
"Don't be nervous," mahinang sabi niya.
"I'm not," tanggi nito.
She just chuckled.
"Okay, you're not," natatawang sabi niya habang hawak ang isang kamay nito na pinagpapawisan na.
Pagkatapos nilang iparada ang kotse ay nauna nang bumaba si Hunter. Tahimik lamang ito habang nasa loob sila ng elevator paakyat sa condo unit niya. She held his cold hand once again. Napansin niyang pinagpapawisan na rin ang noo nito.
"Sei..." anas nito.
"Hmm?" Hinarap niya ito.
Hunter is a little bit pale.
"H-How's my appearance? Am I not scary? Do I look presentable? Should I change my clothes? I think it's a little bit off. What do you think?"
Natigilan naman siya. So, this cold and ruthless man can feel uneasiness as well, huh? Bakit imbes na mag-alala para rito ay parang mas natutuwa pa siya? The way how he looks conscious and nervous he is right now, she's really enjoying it. Pinigilan niya ang sariling huwag mapangiti at tinago iyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtikhim.
"You look good, Hunter," sabi niya sa fiance.
"Love, Anastacia might get scared of me just like others. They are always scared and─"
"Hunter, she won't get scared of you. Trust me," she said to make him feel at ease.
"But─"
"Sa tingin mo ba ay sasama siya sa'yo sa ospital kung takot siya sa'yo?"
Natigilan naman ito sa sinabi niya. Masuyo niyang pinunasan ang pawis sa noo ng fiance.
"Anastacia Khate is smart and observant. She knows what to do in every situations. Do you really think she just saw you as a stranger when she bumped into you? Our daughter do not trust people easily, Hunter. Hindi basta-basta nakukuha ang tiwala ng anak natin lalo na sa mga estranghero. But she trusted you. She let you bring her to the hospital without any questions. You know why? Because she knew already that you are her father the moment she saw you. She didn't even see any photos of you but just seeing your eyes is enough for her to know that you are her father. She surely felt it in her heart. Just like how you felt it the moment you saw her."
Napakurap ito sa sinabi niya.
"Love..." anas nito.
Nakangiting hinaplos niya ang pisngi ni Hunter.
"Our daughter is really really smart. Anastacia Khate takes after you." She gave him a warm smile.
"You think she will accept me?" mahinang tanong nito.
"She will. She's been waiting for you, Hunter," nakangiting tugon niya.
Bumukas ang elevator. Kaagad silang lumabas ni Hunter at tinungo ang condo unit niya. Sinulyapan niya ang fiance na tila kinakabahan pa rin na tila anumang sandali ay parang hihimatayin na. Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi sa pagpipigil na huwag matawa.
She open the door of her condo unit and as soon as they entered, Anastacia Khate greeted them. Hindi niya inaasahan ang susunod na nangyari. Hunter was so nervous a while ago but he walk, no, he's almost running towards Anastacia.
Kaagad nitong sinalubong ng napakahigpit na yakap ang anak nila habang nakaluhod ito sa harapan ni Anastacia. That hug was so tight that he almost crushed their daughter. Wala siyang anumang narinig na reklamo mula sa anak niya. Umiiyak na tinugon nito ang mahigpit na yakap ni Hunter. Nakita niya kung paanong sabay na umiyak ang mag-ama niya.
Kusang tumulo ang mga luha niya. She's been dreaming of this. And she can't believe that she's seeing this perfect scenery right in front of her. It feels like a dream but she knew that it's not just a dream. This is her reality. A dream that became a perfect reality.
"D-Daddy..." Iyon ang unang lumabas sa bibig ng anak nila habang lumalakas ang iyak nito.
Bumitaw si Hunter mula sa mahigpit na pagkakayakap kay Anastacia at hinarap ito. Pinunasan nito ang mga luha ng anak nila.
"Yes, baby. Daddy's here." Narinig niya ang napapaos na boses ng fiance. "Daddy's here, my love." She could hear the pain in his voice.
"Are you staying with us now? Are you not sick anymore? Will you live with me and mommy now, daddy? Won't you leave us anymore? Will we be a complete family now? Will you stay by our side for good, daddy?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ng anak nila habang umiiyak pa rin.
Sunod-sunod naman na tumango si Hunter.
"Yes, baby. Daddy won't leave. We will all stay together, hmm? I will stay by your side with mommy. We will live together, my love." Hunter say those words with full of determination.
Pinunasan niya ang sariling mga luha kasabay ng paghawak niya sa sariling dibdib. Oh god. Her heart is very happy. It's painful but with so much happiness. Humakbang siya patungo sa mag-ama niya. She found herself hugging both of them.
Awtomatiko siyang sinakop ng yakap ni Hunter. He's a big man so he managed to wrap both of them in his strong arms. She can't believe she and Anastacia are wrapped warmly in Hunter's arms. This is such a magical moment. Very heartwarming. They are both wrapped warmly in Hunter's arms like he's telling them that he will give them warmth, care, protection, and love for the rest of his life.
A flood of tears flowed down in her cheeks. The three of them cried as they tightly hugged each other. Hunter keeps kissing both of them on their faces.
"I love you both. I love you so much," he said with so much love in his eyes.
"I love you too, daddy." Sabay nila iyong sinabi ng anak.
Nakangiting nagkatinginan sila ni Anastacia at parehong natawa. Hunter chuckled and kissed them again.
"The two most important women in my life are here in my arms." Nahimigan niya ang sakit ngunit may kalakip na saya sa boses ng fiance.
Nakangiting pinunasan niya ang mga luha nito at pinatakan ng masuyong halik ang labi ni Hunter. Masuyong tinugon ng fiance ang halik niya.
"Mahal na mahal kita, Sei," marahang sabi nito pagkatapos nilang bitawan ang labi ng isa't-isa.
"Mahal na mahal din kita," masuyong sabi niya.
"Mahal na mahal ko kayo ni Anastacia," patuloy nito.
"At sobrang mahal na mahal ka rin namin ni Anastacia," aniya habang masuyong hinahaplos ang pisngi nito. "Aalagaan at poprotektahan ka namin ng mabuti, daddy Hunter." She warmly smiled at him.
"I should be the one doing that," he said as he gently wiped her tears using his thumb.
Pareho silang nagtawanan. Binuhat nito ang anak nila at halos hindi na mapaghiwalay ang dalawa. They decided to spend their time together in her condo. Napag-usapan na rin nilang dalawa ni Hunter kanina bago sila pumunta sa condo niya na lilipat na sila sa bahay nito. Sa bahay nila.
Si Samantha ay sinadyang umalis. Tumawag ito kanina at sinabi na nasa labas ito. Hindi pa niya nakakausap si Samantha pero napag-usapan na nila noon na kapag maayos na ang lahat ay babalik ito sa Europe dahil may sarili rin itong pamilya roon. Samantha can still work for her. She will let her decide. Balak niyang i-expand ang kompanyang pinatayo niya sa tulong at guidance ng sarili niyang ama noong nasa Europe pa siya.
She's planning to expand her own business here in Philippines. Lahat ng iyon ay naka-plano na bago siya umuwi ng Pilipinas. Of course, with her father's consent and support. Sinabi niya noon sa ama na ayaw pa niyang i-take over ang kompanya nito. She wants to stand on her own. Ayaw niyang umasa sa pagiging tagapagmana niya sa lahat ng kayamanan ng sariling ama. She still want to gain more experience and she's glad that her father understand and support her decision. Her father always believes what she can do. Napaka-supportive nitong ama sa kaniya. She's glad that her father found her. Naramdaman niya ang pagmamahal at pag-aalaga nito sa kaniya, binawi ang mga taon na wala siya sa poder nito.
Lumipas ang halos isang linggo mula nang magtagpo ang mag-ama niya. Hindi na talaga mapaghiwalay pa ang dalawa. Sa loob ng halos isang linggo, nakita niya ang panibagong Hunter na hindi niya inaasahan. He's too soft and gentle when it comes to Anastacia. He's very caring. Araw-araw ay nakikita niya sa mga mata ng fiance kung gaano kalalim ang pagmamahal nito sa anak nila. They are living now in his house. Their house. Their home.
Ang akala niya noon ay mahihirapan itong gampanan at tanggapin ang pagiging isang ama. But looking at him now, the way how he spoil and the way how he takes good care of Anastacia and her, the way how his eyes glisten of happiness while looking at Anastacia and her, she's very happy. Masayang-masaya siya sa nakikitang kasiyahan sa mga mata ni Hunter. And she wants to see that kind of happiness for the rest of her life.
Isang gabi ay dahan-dahan siyang bumangon habang ang mag-ama niya ay mahimbing na natutulog sa tabi niya. Simula nang tumira sila sa iisang bahay, palagi silang magkatabing matulog sa iisang kama. Napangiti siya habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawa na magkayakap, napakahimbing ng tulog. Masuyo niyang hinaplos ang pisngi ng anak. She kissed Hunter's forehead as well.
Nakaramdam siya ng uhaw kaya lumabas siya ng kuwarto at tinungo ang kusina. Uminom siya ng malamig na tubig at lumabas din kaagad pagkatapos niyang uminom ng tubig. Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at sa hindi malamang kadahilanan ay humakbang siya patungo sa likod ng bahay pero kaagad din siyang napatigil ulit sa paglalakad.
Bakit dinala siya ng mga paa niya sa likod ng bahay? What was she thinking? Iniisip pa rin ba niya na baka may basement na naman sa bagong bahay na ito at...
Mabilis niyang ipinilig ang ulo. Mahina siyang napabuntong-hininga at bumalik sa loob ng bahay. Natigil siya sa paghakbang nang makita si Hunter. Nagising ito? Diretso itong nakatingin sa kaniya.
"H-Hey." Alanganin siyang napangiti.
She's worried that he might think bad. Dahil nakita nito na galing siya sa likod ng bahay. Seryoso itong humakbang papalapit sa kaniya. She thought he'll get angry but to her surprise, Hunter pulled her closer and gave her a warm hug. Ilang beses siyang napakurap.
"H-Hunter..." anas niya.
"Did I...traumatized you? Are you still thinking that I am keeping a person here in my house without you knowing? Does it still scare you?" he softly asked.
"No. No, Hunter." Kaagad siyang umiling at hinarap ang fiance.
Mataman siya nitong tiningnan sa mga mata sabay haplos sa pisngi niya.
"I already surrendered them to the police after...torturing them," mahinang sabi nito.
"I know," sabi niya at hinawakan ang kamay ni Hunter. "Ate Kathy told me that Darth is in jail now. And...I heard that man..." Tumitig siya sa mga mata ng fiance, tinatantya ang mararamdaman nito. He's still calm. "...that man was killed inside the jail," she continued.
Lately lamang niya nalaman iyon. Ang tinutukoy niya ay ang lalaking nagpahirap ng husto noon kay Hunter. Tumango naman ito.
"I heard it from Jaxon as well," mahinang sabi nito. "Isang gabi pa lamang siya roon sa kulungan ay pinagtulungan na siya ng mga kapwa niya preso. Napakarami niyang atraso at nagkataon na nandoon din sa kulungan ang mga taong ginawan niya ng kasalanan. They killed him without mercy. I actually kept him inside the basement for years to make him feel what hell feels like. And same with that bastard. That Darth who made your life misera─"
"Sshh..." Tinakpan niya ng hintuturo ang labi ng fiance. "Everything's okay now, Hunter. They already got more than what they deserved. They already tasted hell in your hands. It's okay now," malumanay na sabi niya kay Hunter.
Inilapat niya ang palad sa dibdib nito.
"What's not okay is this. Let's focus on this. Lets' heal this. Let's...fill this with full of love and happiness. Ako ang bahala sa puso mo. Ako ang bahala sa kasiyahan mo. Ako ang bahala sa kapayapaan ng puso mo. Basta hayaan mo lang ako, Hunter. Ako ang bahala sa lahat-lahat."
They looked at each other with so much warmth. With Hunter's teary eyes, he nodded.
"Thank you, Sei," he muttered as he brush his lips against hers.
"For what?" she gently asked.
"For accepting me. For coming into my life. For giving me warmth, care, protection, and love. Thank you for loving me even in my worst. Thank you for giving me a genuine and utmost love that I thought I don't deserve. Thank you for trusting and giving your heart to me. Thank you for bringing me so much happiness that I thought I wouldn't feel. Thank you for bringing me the light that I thought it wouldn't come into my life. Thank you for giving me hope that I've lost for a long time. Thank you for giving me so much warmth. I thank you for everything." Awtomatikong tumulo ang mga luha nito na nagdulot ng kirot sa puso niya.
Pinunasan niya ang mga luha ng fiance.
"And this is just the beginning, Hunter. I still have so much to give. You deserve all the happiness and love in this world. You so much deserve it," she softly said.
A warm smile escape from Hunter's lips.
"And you deserve all the happiness and love in this world as well, love. I promise to give that to you for the rest of my life. I love you so much. I love you with all my heart, Sei," he said with so much love in his eyes.
She love it. That warm smile. That soft expression of his. And his calm heart. She loves all of it. She would do everything to make him feel all the happiness in this world. They both deserve it.
Parehong nakangiti na naglakad sila pabalik sa master's bedroom. Pero sa halip na bumalik sila kung nasaan ang anak nila ay hinila siya ni Hunter sa kabilang kuwarto. And there, they spent a hot and steamy night together.
Kinabukasan ay may hindi sila inaasahang bisita na ikinagulat niya ng husto.
"Dad?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
Kaagad niyang nilapitan ang ama at mahigpit itong niyakap. Natatawang tinugon nito ang yakap niya.
"I've missed you," masuyong sabi ng ama niya.
"I miss you too, daddy. Why didn't you tell me that you'll visit?" Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala.
Saktong dumating si Hunter na kakatapos lamang maligo. Nabigla rin ito nang makita kung sino ang bisita nila.
"Sir, hi," anito sabay lapit sa daddy niya.
Awtomatikong nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Tila nag-uusap ang mga mata ng ama at fiance niya na parang ang dalawang ito lang din ang nakakaintindi.
"Ahm...daddy, let me introduce you. His name is─"
"I know him, sweetie," nakangiting sabi ng daddy niya dahilan para matigilan siya.
"You knew each other?" she asked, dumbfounded.
Her father nodded. Nakipag-kamay ito kay Hunter.
"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Hunter Wright," sabi ng ama kay Hunter.
"It's nice to meet you again, Sir," tugon naman ng fiance niya sa pormal ngunit marespetong boses.
Napatingin naman siya sa dalawa, nagtataka. Her father looked at her, still smiling.
"We met in Europe years ago. He...was the reason why I found you, sweetie."
Sa sinabing iyon ng ama ay mas lalo siyang natigilan. She didn't expect that Hunter was the reason why her father found her.
To be continued...
A/N: GRABE SI HUNTER! BINABALIW AKO!! SANA KAYO RIN. HAHAHAHA.