Ford's POV
All of his friends, business partners and aquaintances were here. Pati ako, handa na. Lorice is still in the room. Saglit lang akong tumingin sa labas at bumalik rin sa loob ng kwarto kung saan siya naroon.
"Still nervous? Di ka pa kasi nagbibihis." she nod.
Lumapit ako sa kanya, then I gave her a hug. I want her to feel comfortable.
"Dont worry, I'm here."
"Salamat."
"My dear friends, acquaintances, business partners, and all of you here. I am very very blessed to have this opportunity to meet you my first child. I know some of you were shocked for this event but I'm just excited for you to meet my long lost first daughter. And tonight, allow me to introduce to all of you my daughter, Lorice Alli Delfin Torres."
Nasa loob pa siya. She's nervous but I know she can do this. Nandito pa rin ako sa labas at hinihintay siya.
"Ford,"
Until I heard that voice. Napalingon ako. Then I saw her, smiling. And she's damn beautiful!
Inilahad ko ang aking kamay. "Let's go." and then she nod. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa papa niya.
"My friends, Lorice Alli Torres." and I heard claps from guests. "May I have a dance, daughter?"
Lorice looked at me. I nod, dahilan para ngumiti siya. I carefully give her hand to her father.
Now, I see her smiling, dancing with her dad. Real dad. And she deserves all of this. Deserve niya to matapos ang lahat ng paghihirap niya.
Thanks God, she found the life where she really belong.
Naalala ko, aalis na ako sa Linggo. But, I still have tonight to be with her. And susulitin ko iyon.
"Fordan!" napalingon ako. And then, I just saw grandma.
Nang nakalapit siya sa akin ay niyakap niya kaagad ako.
"I'm really shocked, and happy at the same time. Imagine, Lorice's father is Antonio. Na excite rin ako kasi naman, hindi ko na nakausap tong si Antonio kung para saan tong party na to. My great friend and your girlfriend, mag ama pala sila. What a small world."
Small world, indeed.
" Now, look at her, she's stunning!" she sighed. "Sana naman, wag mo na siyang pakawalan talaga ha! Dahil kapag ginawa mo yon, lagot ka sakin."
"Ford!"
"Hija!" nakita ko na lang na niyakap ni grandma si Lorice. "You really look gorgeous tonight."
"Salamat po."
Hanggang sa nadako ang kanyang mga mata sa singsing na nasa kamay ni Lorice.
"Engagement...ring? Tell me." Lorice and I didnt answered but we both nod. "Oh my goodness! Salamat naman!"
Muli niyang niyakap si Lorice. "I'm so happy for the two of you. So, kailan ang kasal?"
"Kasal?"
Napalingon kaming tatlo. Maganda na sana ang mood ko, not until I saw my mom again. She's with... what's the name of this girl again? Gail? Parang yun nga.
"Sinong ikakasal?" muli niyang tanong.
Wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsalita. Hanggang sa basagin ni grandma ang katahimikan.
"A, ummm, let's get some drinks hija," grandma tapped my shoulder and whispered, "Ikaw na bahala dyan sa magaling mong nanay. Akong bahala sa asawa mo." and she smiled at me.
Asawa. Nice one grandma.
Napatango na lang ako dahil sa sinabi niya.
Nang nakaalis sila ay ibinalik ko ang atensyon ko kina mama.
"Fordan, sino ang ikakasal?" I didnt speak.
"Nevermind. By the way, I'm here to talk with Mr. Torres."
Para saan naman kaya?
"About what?"
"Matagal na akong naghihintay na makapag asawa ka na. And I think that she really fits on that position." sabay tingin kay Gail na nakangiti pa.
"Mom, stop that nonsense."
"Its not nonsense." medyo nagtaas siya ng boses. Tonight is my wife's big day with her real father kaya naman, kahit nag iinit na ang ulo ko, pilit ko itong pinigilan.
"Its not your party tonight, mom. If you want us to talk, lets talk outside." sabay talikod sa kanila.
Agad akong lumabas ng mansion at nagtungo sa may hardin, kung saan walang tao. Hanggang sa narinig ko na lang si mama na nagsalita.
"I want Gail for you." rinig kong sabi niya.
"May girlfriend ako."
"Then break up with her. Pero, kahit na hindi mo gawin iyon, hihiwalayan mo pa rin siya. Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo--"
"Dont you know if who's my girlfriend?! Of course, hindi. Wala ka namang pakialam sa akin diba?!"
Lumapit siya sa akin. Bigla niya na lang akong sinampal. "Bakit? Magagalit ba ako ng ganito kung wala akong pakialam?! I just want you to have a decent girl to be with Fordan."
"Ni hindi mo nga alam kung sino ang girlfriend ko. Si Lorice ma! Si Lorice! Siya ang girlfriend ko! At siya ang gusto ko!"
Sandaling natahimik ang buong paligid sa pagitan namin ni mama. I thought she will stop, but its a no.
"I dont want her."
"Why? She's Mr. Torres' daughter. She's beautiful than any girl na pinapakilala mo sakin. And I love her--"
"Love wont make you rich."
"I dont want to be rich. I want to be loved! Yun lang naman ang hiling ko sa inyo ni papa diba? Pero ano? Walang nangyari!"
Again, silence entered between us.
"Simula nang maghiwalay kayo, hindi ko naranasan ang mabuhay nang may kompletong pamilya. Oh, I dont even feel the love that I need from both of you from the start. Pero kung sa ibang tao, kay Freed, that Gail and even Tracy, ramdam nila ang pagmamahal niyo bilang magulang."
Tahimik pa rin si mama.
"I need love, not your damn money! And Lorice gave me that. Kaya ngayon, wag mo akong diktahan kung hihiwalayn ko siya o hindi. Dahil hinding hindi ko siya hihiwalayan--"
"Sige, wag mo siyang hiwalayan. But I'll make sure na hindi kayo magkakatuluyan. We bet, your relationship will only last until this month, Fordan." saka siya umalis sa harapan ko.
You are too late, mom. Hinding hindi mangyayari iyon. We'll get married anyway. At walang makakapigil don.
I'll make sure na walang magiging hadlang sa aming dalawa, not even my parents.