Kabanata 03

𝙺𝚊𝚋𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚊 03

Celebration

Nakakainggit. Seeing my teammates hugging their family who proudly welcome them after the training, made me jealous. How I wish my dad can do it, but I know he can't.

"Delaneeeeey!!! Oh my God! Congratulations, Hija!"

Napakurap-kurap pa ako nang makita ang malaking ngiti ni Tita Metchelle na kumakaway sa akin. Kasama nito ang pinsan kong si Marianne na malaki ang ngiti habang may hawak na tarpaulin, may nakasulat doon na 'Congratulations to our Air force, Lieutenant Delaney Adair Monroeville!'

"Tita!" sigaw ko nang makabawi mula sa gulat. I didn't expect it.

"Tita, I missed you. Marianne, I missed the two of you!" I happily hugged Tita and Marianne, naluluha pa ako dahil sa tuwa.

"Surprised?" nakangising saad ni Marianne. I beam at her and smile widely.

"I really am!"

"Congrats, Hija. We are so proud of you."

"Thank you, Tita. How's Dad?" agad na tanong ko. Tita Metchelle's smile get wider as she pointed our car.

Nanlalaki ang mata ko nang makita ang lalaking nakasakay sa wheelchair, at may malaking ngiti ang nakaplaster sa mukha nito.

"Daddy!" mahinang sambit ko bago patakbong nilapitan ang ama.

"It's really you. You made it!" naluluhang saad ko dahilan ng mahinang tawa nito dahil sa reaction ko.

"I miss you so much. Congratulations, Hija. Daddy is so proud of you."

A lone tear escape in my eyes, pero agad ko rin iyong hinawi. That was a tears of joy!

"I missed you too, so much, Daddy," mahinang sambit ko, pinipigilan ang sariling wag humikbi. I'm strong. And crying isn't my thing!

"Let's go so we can start the party now?" halakhak ni Daddy at tinawag na si Tita at si Marianne.

Habang nasa biyahe, 'di ko mapigilang di mapangiti. My dad is doing fine. And this is the best gift for me. My Dad's health.

Sulit lahat ng sakripisyo at pagod ko sa training. It was all worth it.

At first, I just want to become a soldier, but as days goes on and the training becomes difficult, it motivates me more, kaya napagdesisyonan kong ipagpatuloy ang training at maging isang Air Force.

"Ate Laney, how does it feel to be train like a tiger?" Marianne curiously ask me while we're having our lunch in our mansion.

"Hmmm... It's was so difficult, but full filling once you did it very well," I shrugged my shoulders to Marianne, that makes my dad laugh.

"Why, you're planning to train too, Marianne?"

"Of course not, Tito. Masisira ang beauty ko sa training. And it's not what I want tho," agad na saad ni Marianne kay Daddy. "And surely, Daddy will scold me up if I try too!" dagdag nito at bumusangot.

"Well," Dad shrugged and continue eating.

We eat peacefully. And it makes my heart sunk in so much happiness. I misses this so much. Four years in training isn't a joke, kaya sobrang namimis ko ang ganito. Eating with my family.

After the lunch, may mga kamag-anak ring nagsidantingan na. My friends are there too, congratulating me for my successful training.

"Kailan ba magsisimula ang official duty mo, Lieutenant?" Ashton while sipping his whisky.

"Nextweek. It'll be the busiest week I have," I frown a bit and sip on my vodka.

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa bar na pag mamay-ari ng isa sa mga kaibigan namin. My friends throw a party for me, kaya pinagbigyan ko nalang iyon dahil magiging busy na naman ako next week.

"Uhuh. So that means, I can't have a date with a Lieutenant then?"

Taas kilay kong binalingan si Ashton at nagkibit nalang ng balikat. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ko ang pagkakagusto nito sa akin.

Ashton Del Rama is one of my suitors way back in college, and until now, he's pursuing his courting thingy on me.

"Tsk! Stop hitting our Lieutenant, Ashton," nakangising saad ni Martin Kay Ashton, kaya nagtawanan ang grupo. Ashton shakes his head as he look at me, kaya napailing rin ako.

"I was just trying my luck, Dude!" kibit balikat na sagot nito, kaya naghiyawan ulit ang mga kaibigan namin.

"Your charms will never work to her, try harder," pambubuska ni Mateo rito.

"Since I'll be starting my work next week, that means, I can't have a time for that anymore. And... Relationship isn't in my mind yet. So...." I thrilled off. My friends says 'aww' in unison.

Puno nang tawanan ang mesa namin dahil sa asarang nagaganap. My friends are annoying Ashton kaya lalo itong napabusangot. I wonder if he haven't a girlfriend now. It's been what? Five years, noong huli kaming magkita.

The night goes on, 'til we decided to go home when it's already quarter to three in the morning.

Tired and dizzy, I let myself fall asleep when I'm in my room already.

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𝑮𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒀𝒐𝒐𝒐♡♡♡