21

Forgive and Forget

"Miss Aeri, pwede ka ba mainterview? Just a few questions lang. Sige na." We were surprised when we saw a paparazzi walking towards us.

"Is my answers in my presscon not enough? Well, sige. I'll answer a few lang. Go." Aeri said.

"What are exactly your plans now that you sign off with your carreer as a model/celebrity?"

"Well, I want to make my dad's dream come true. He wanted me to be an Architect like him and mom so, I'm planning on studying again. Being in showbiz kase is not permanent. May time na lalaos ka at hindi natin alam kung aangat ka pa."

"When are you planning on getting married?" The paparazzi asked, again.

Ngumiti si Aeri at tumingin sakin. "Actually, hindi pa namin napapag usapan yan. But syempre engagement muna bago ang kasal. But siguro kapag maayos na ang lahat and were settled down, then, I'll be ready to make my own family with this man beside me."

"Excuse me, We have to go." Singit ko.

"Oh, okay, take care, Miss Aeri. Thanks for your time." The paparazzi smiled and waved her hand.

I opened the shot gun seat for Aeri. Pumunta na ako sa driver's seat tsaka nagdrive pauwi. Aeri must be tired of the long drive so I let her sleep pagkadating sa condo.

I was working on some designs. Hindi muna ako mag aabroad ngayon since I want to spend more time with her. I decided to just stay here in the Philippines and work at our company.

Aeri woke up around dinner time. I cooked steak for her. After she eat, she decided to file an admission to a school related to architecture. Home school iyon and she said that it's okay because she can do it. Besides, I'm here to help her.

After that we just had  a chill night. We watched some netflix movies while eating popcorn.

"I want to see them, Jacob." She suddenly said out of blue. Her eyes are still on the tv.

"Who?" I asked, glancing at her. Her head is on my shoulder while my arms are wralped around her.

"Mom and dad."

"Maybe they are not yet ready to face you after what happened to you."

She sighed again. After nun nanahimik na kaming dalawa. Her head is still on my shoulders.

"Love," I called. She did not respond. I look down to see her face. What?! She fall asleep. I thought she was just watching the movie.

"What a sleepy head," I chuckled and shook my head a bit.

I carried her to our room and lay her down on the soft bed. I covered her body with the comforter. Naglagay ako ng unan sa gilid niya para may mayakap siya. I was busy these past few days doing my designs so hindi ko siya natatabihan.

I was about to go out of the room to finish the designs when she suddenly called me.

"Love, can you please sleep beside me? I miss you." She said. I walk towards the bed and lay down beside her.

Siniksik niya ang sarili niya sakin tsaka yamakap sakin. "How can I say no to you, love?" I chuckled.

She did not respond so I assumed that she is already sleeping. I hugged her and fix the comforter that covers us and then I doze off to sleep.

I woke up around 7am. Aeri is still sleeping so I left her on the bed to make breakfast, as usual.

My phone suddenly beeped when I finish cooking. It was a text message from Tita Athena.

Tita Athena:

Jacob, let's meet today. Wag mo muna isama si Aeri, okay?

I put away my phone when I saw Aeri going out of the room. I went to her to give her a lambing.

"Goodmorning, my love. How's your sleep?" I asked.

"I had a goodnight sleep because you slept beside me." She smiled teasingly.

Inaya ko na siya sa breakfast table para makakain.

"Love, may meeting lang ako with a client. I'll be back rin after. Mabilis lang naman siguro iyon." Paalam ko at tumango naman siya.

Pagkatapos kumain naligo na ako, si Aeri ang naghugas ng pinagkainan namin. Nang matapos magbihis ng proper attire, I found Aeri in the office doing school works.

She started her homeschooling right after we filed an admission form. She got accepted naman kasi agad.

She really want to pursue architecture. Madali siyang matuto but sometimes she need help on some topics so I teach her some of the terms that she canmot understand.

"Hmm.. busy?" I kissed her neck.

"Love! I'm studying! Stop!" She giggled. I continue teasing her.

"I'll go ahead. I'll be back right after."

"Okay, love. Goodluck and take care."

"Study well, okay? Call me if you need something. I love you." I kissed her cheeks.

"I love you," she whispered.

Pagkapunta ko sa kotse ay nagdrive na ako kaagad patungo sa coffee shop na sinabi ni Tita Athena. Kakalabas ko lang ng kotse ay nakita ko na kaagad kung nasan siya.

"Goodmorning, Tita Athena, Tito Troy." I greeted. I kissed her cheeks and gave Tito a bro hug.

"Jacob, hijo. Elisha went here yesterday. He explained everything. Were about to meet you and Aeri yesterday after the conference  but I think you two went out of town. You must be tired already." She explained.

"Uh, yes. Aeri is a bit tired. She's actually at home, studying. She wants to make her dad's dreams come true," I said.

"Yeah, napanood namin yung presscon niya kahapon. Grabe after what we did to her, kami pa talaga ang inalala niya. She's really a soft hearted woman." Tito Troy said.

"Were ready, Jacob. I want to face our daughter later. I actually want to invite you two for dinner." Tita said. I nodded.

"Tita, Tito, alam nyo naman po na settled na kami ni Aeri, right? So I'm thinking na I'll propose to her as soon as things are going well between you na." I said confidently and a little nervous. Sure na ako na si Aeri ang gusto kong makasama habang buhay.

"Oh, okay, hijo. I'll give you my daughters hand. But promise us that you'll take care of her, okay?" Si tito

"Yes, po. I'll do everything for her and for our future children." I said.

"Oh, I suddenly want a grandchild now." Tita said. I just laughed.

I went to the mall after we talk. I am going to buy a ring now for our engagement.

Nagpunta na ako sa jewerly shop tsaka nagtingin ng mga singsing. Good thing I knew the size of Aeri's ring finger.

The rose gold ring with a square silver diamond in the middle that has small silver diamond stones around it caught my eyes. Its a little pricey but it'll be worth it. I'm sure she'll love this.

(See the multimedia above for the actual photo of the ring ;) )

I wemt straight home after I payed for the ring. When I entered the unit, Aeri is fresh from the bath. She went to me to give me a hug and a kiss.

"Get ready love, we'll go to your parents' house." She looked shocked.

"Really? Why?" She asked.

"They want us to join them for dinner." She smiled widely. I know she misses her parents. And she really want to fix their relationship.

After that, I kept the ring in a safe place where she can't see it. Surprise dapat 'yun.

Nang gumabi, nag ayos na kami ni Aeri. I just wore a simple blue polo shirt and a pair of black shorts.

My jaw dropped when I saw Aeri walk in the room. She's wearing a white laced off shoulder dress. She looks like an angel.

"Ganda ng baby ko." I wento her and kissed her shoulder.

She's facing the mirror fixing her eyebrows.

"Love stop, I'm fixing my eyebrows oh." She giggled.

Hinayaan ko siyang mag ayos doon. I waited for a little and then she was done. Bumaba na kami papunta sa parking.

Nagdrive na ako patingo sa bahay nila. Pagkababa namin sa harap ng bahay nila, I held Aeri's hand. She was cold.

"Are you okay, love?" I chuckled.

"Nervous." She simply said.

"Just hold on to me."

Pumasok na kami sa loob tsaka nagdiretso sa kitchen. There I saw Tita and Tito sitting on the table.

"Mom, Dad." Aeri called. Lumapit siya sakanila at nagsimulang umiyak.

She hugged her mom and dad.

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad." She said.

"No, hija. Kami ang dapat magsorry. For leaving you alone. For all the hatred that we showed to you. We should've understand what you felt in those times but we are not there for you. I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive us." Si Tita.

"I'm sorry, hija, I hope it's not too late. I'm sorry for everything. We'll make it up to you, habang hindi ka pa natatali kay Jacob." Si Tito Troy.

"Dad, kahit pa nakatali na ako kay Jacob, I will always find time for the both of you." She laughed.

I smiled to see her and her family happy again. They look so adorable.

"Love, sama ka dito." Aeri called me. I went to them and joined the group hug.

"Magiging family ka na rin namin, soon. Right?"  tita said looking at me. I smiled and nodded.

After that, we ate dinner. Nagkwentuhan lamg kami at nagkamustahan tungkol sa mga nangyari. Kung paano kami nagkabalikan and etc.

They also asked about Aeri's homeschooling. Her parents' are really proud of her and happy for her right now.

"Wow, you're really grown up now. You can make good decisions for your future." Bati ni Tita.

"We're so proud of you, Aeri. And we love you so much. I know that you didn't heared that words from us for years but we really love you." Tito Troy.

"I love you, both so much. And let's just forget the past and be happy. Because that is what we deserve." Aeri said.

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