THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE (COMPLETED)

Chapter 27: Acceptance

Chapter 27

Nakadungaw si Ina sa veranda ng kwarto ng kaniyang biological mother habang pinagmamasdan sa baba ang mga kaibigan at ang kaniyang ama't mga kapatid. Mula sa kinatatayuan niyang second floor ng bahay, makikita ng maigi ang buong garden. Nag-aya ang mga kaibigan niya na sa garden sila mag-lunch. Kaya busy sila sa paghahanda at pagseset-up ng mga gamit.

After her talk with her father, it feels like nawalan siya ng lakas, ng masabi at ng maitanong. So, She excused from her father and goes up to clear her mind. She's not ready. She's not happy. And most of all, she's still hurting. Even after hearing her father's explanation and all, she can't still find happiness from it.

Mula sa likuran niya yumakap sa kanya si Kaiser na nag-aalala sa kalagayan ng asawa. His feeling guilty because he couldn't do anything for her. He couldn't even help her lighten up the mood for her to calm down. Maging siya ay labis na nagulat sa nalaman. After Ina run off to her mother's room, Mr. Collin explained everything to them. Even Allison and Alexandra was shocked to the core.

"Wife," pagtawag niya sa asawa.

Ina sighed. Patuloy lamg siyang nakamasid sa baba. Makikita kung paanong ilang beses siyang sulyapan ng kaniyang ama at mga kapatid. Pero wala siyang sapat na lakas para harapin sila. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya magsisimula. Hindi niya alam kung papaanong reaksyon ang ipapakita, matapos malaman ang lahat.

"I love you. And I support you for everything you do and everything you want. But, you have visitors down there and waiting for you." Kaiser is trying to console her.

"I know." Ina sighed again for the second time. "I just don't know what to say, to do amd how to react. I mean. Yes, I already hear his explanations and all but still, something is missing. I know in my heart that I'm looking for something from him and I don't know that. I don't even know what is it." Humarap si Ina sa asawa saka ito niyakap pabalik. Kaiser tightened his hug and kissed her head.

"Everything will be alright wife, I know you're the kindest person in the whole world. And I know you can give the kindest offer you have. Just look at them properly wife. Maybe what your heart's been looking for is already there. I know Mr. Collin. Well, from the business world. I know he doesn't bite." Ina chuckled at her husband's joke.

Kaiser laughed with her. Bumitaw si Ina sa pagkakayakap sa asawa saka huminga ng malalim.

"Okay.. I can do it. It's my father. My real father. I can fight the awkwardness. Right?"

"Yes, you can Wife. And I'll always be right here by your side." Kaiser pulled her again and kissed her forehead.

"You can do it wife. I know you can." Her husband's encouragement to her is working. And as they walk down to face her father and siblings, she felt like her steps is getting lighter. And her heartbeat is racing.

Pagdating nila sa garden, everything was done. From the foods and table utensils, it's perfectly done. Kaiser pulled one chair in front of her father and siblings. Magkatabi si Alli,Alex at Nathan ang kaibigan ni Kaiser na attorney. Habang magkakatabi naman sa harapan nila ang kanyang Ama at mga kapatid.

"Michey, I cooked your favorite dish. Spicy Adobong Manok!" itinuro sa kaniya ni Alli ang kinalalagyan ng adobo. Nginitian niya ang kaibigan. Alli is the cooker among them and she loves cooking. At alam na alam nito ang paboritong ulam nila ni Alex.

"Thank you Alli. Uhmm.. You cooked all of it?" Umiling si Alli saka binigyan ng sulyap ang dalagang kasama ng kanyang ama.

"Uhmm.. I cooked the Tuscan butter salmon. I hope you'll like it." ngumiti ito sa kanya. Napag-alaman niyang ang pangalan nito ay Harshini at ang kakambal naman nito ay Harsh.