Chapter 28: Lowkey Friendship
Alumpihit na nakayuko si Yumie. Hindi siya makatingin ng tuwid kay Ismael. She's clasping her hands in nervousness. Ismael was silently sitting in front of her. Tila wala rin itong masabi sa kaniya.
She have too many questions but she's too afraid to ask. Probably, she's more of ashamed. In 12 years, she built hatred to this man. She believed that the Callejos are her enemies. If she had just been wiser...
Tumikhim si Ismael. Urging a start of conversation. "Your mom is doing fine. She's actually asking for you. Kung kailan ka daw ulit bibisita."
Napaangat agad siya ng ulo at napatingin sa matandang Callejos. Ismael smiled at her eager expression.
"She doesn't remember yet, but you made an impression. Siguro nga blood is thicker than water. She don't believe in the idea that she has a daughter at first but she does now. She's asking me now to look for you," anito na nakangiti.
Bumuka sara ang labi niya. She didn't know kung ano ang unang sasabihin. Questions, words and feelings are flooding in her thoughts. Nagsabay-sabay na lahat.
Tumayo si Ismael lumipat ng upuan na mas malapit sa kaniya. He reached for her hand and held it. Yumie felt his kindness. She felt his warmth like a parent.
"Are you still scared of me?" anito na tuwid ang tingin.
Sinalubong niya ang tingin nito nang may maluha-luhang mata. Naiiyak siya sa sitwasyon nila. She suppressed it saka sunod-sunod na umiling. She forced a smile as she took a deep breath.
"I was never scared of you but I had to admit I did hate you," amin niya. "I still want to hate you, actually."
Nagseryoso ang mukha ni Ismael at dahan-dahang napabitiw sa kaniya.
"12 years. You lied to me for 12years. How hard it is to just take me and send me back home? My mom was alive and you know it! But you never tell me," she said somewhat bursting out her feelings.
Napangiti si Ismael sa tinuran ni Yumie. Ngunit agad ding itinago ang ngiti. He sit up straight and faced her again.
"I'm sorry, hija. But I can explain myself. I was your dad's enemy at that time. You believe it as well. Will you trust the person that, as you say, you hated?"
Hindi siya nakasagot. Ismael had a point.
"I had to do it lowkey. I have to admit I have been scared as well. Hernan died. Sejanos believe it was our doing. Pano ko dedepensahan ang sarili ko? Natakot akong makialam You see hindi ako kasing tapang ng Daddy mo. I am always a coward. I ran away from my responsibilities. But it was always your dad who pushed me to it. When Hernan died, there was this moment na naisip kong pabayaan na lang kayo. You are not my concern. But Rumina survived. She refused to die. It gave me thoughts that somewhat Hernan wants me to help you by sending back his wife. But then, I had to do it in subtle way. The situation is so complicated," paliwanag ni Ismael.
"But hinayaan mo ko sa pangangalaga ng isang kaaway?"
"Rigor was too young then. You see, inisip kong wala siyang ibang magagawa at that time? Namatay din ang tatay niya na siyang may pakana ng lahat. I thought I have him in my palms. Hindi ko alam na unti-unti na pala siyang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga kalaban. I thought I am using him. Yun pala it was the other way around."
"He made me hate you!" ani Yumie in frustration.
"It's acceptable. I am supposed to be an enemy," kibit balikat na sagot ni Ismael.
"You keep saying you are an enemy. Ayaw mo bang maging kaibigan kami?" she said sarcastically.
Ismael smiled wider. He gave her a boyish grin. And Yumie thought he was definitely Zeek's dad. Pareho silang mischievous kapag ngumiti.
"I wanted to tell you a story of your Dad's and my youth. You might haven't heard it yet in your entire life," umpisa nito. "You see, your dad and I grew up together. We are of same age but your dad is older than me by 4months." Ismael shrugged his shoulders. "Ewan ko, pero siguro dala ng inggit from both of our parents kaya halos sabay kaming ipinanganak. Siguro when my dad knew that the Dela Torre will have a son, nagmadali na rin siyang makabuo. Thus, I was born also," anito na may halong biro.
"Growing up, ipinakilala kaming magkaaway. Iisa kami ng iskwelahang pinapasukan. We both lived in Sejanos all our lives. Your Dad was Mr. Hero. I was the villain. But Hernan never looked at me like an enemy. Yes, he always acts like a hero.In fact, he would protect and save everyone including me," bahagyang napangiti pa si Ismael as he remember their past. "Hindi ko mabilang how your father tried to saved my ass in tight spots. It made me hate him even more. But eventually, as we grow older. I realized mas masaya siyang maging kaibigan kesa kaaway. Then it made me think. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam anong pinag-aawayan ng angkan namin. It's not about the land. We are contended in our part of the Sejanos. Hindi ko naman gusto ang mga girlfriends ng Daddy mo. I have a fair share of woman. I don't like his. Probably it was power. But no one from the Dela Torre's or Callejos run for public office. We are contented being the richess people in the Sejanos. So anong pinag-aawayan namin?"
Yumie slightly giggled at the thought.
"So in a way, Hernan and I became acquaintances. Our parents both died. So wala na lang kami pakialaman sa isa't-isa. Tama ng kilala namin ang isa't-isa. But your father, ang makulit mong tatay," ani Ismael na napailing-iling pa. "He always put his nose where he shouldn't have. Well, you know this part of the story. I just couldn't sit down and watch him fail. We might have been acquaintances pa lang but I have so many utang na loob sa kaniya that I had to pay back. And the rest is history."
There was a genuine happiness in Yumie's self upon hearing this story. Gumaan ang pakiramdam niya. She cam't help but smile and be teary eyed in happiness.
Bumuntong hininga siya. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "Thank you for telling me the truth, for being my Dad's lowkey friend. And for the calming oil," she said.
Natawa si Ismael. "It was supposed to be a hint that your mom is alive. But my slow thinker son had to ask for a proof that you are Rumina's daughter. He wouldn't believe me, you know. Kahit nakita na niya how dramatic your reaction was, he still had this doubt. But good thing, napilit ko siyang dalhin ka sa Sejanos."
"It was a stressfull day for me. Everything was too much to absorb. I don't have a slightest idea," amin niya.
"So I heard. But you know what my son said when you got back?"
Napatingin siya kay Ismael.
Ismael had this mischievous smile again. "He said, he will bring you back in Sejanos as a Dela Torre-Callejos because he'll be marrying you instead. He made the announcement, remember."
Bumagsak ang panga ni Yumie. Namula ang mukha. She felt shy sa tinuran ng ama ng nobyo. Hindi siya makasagot.
"I told him to propose properly. So, hija, don't marry him unless he do it the right way. And Rumina should approve first. Kahit na anak ko siya he has to do it properly."
Napatango-tango siya na bahagyang natatawa. Pagkuwa'y napalitan ng pagkaseryoso ang mukha ni Yumie when she remembered her mom.
"Uhm... I still have one question, how about my mom? Hindi pa rin siya nakakaalala?"
Bumuntong hininga si Ismael and gave her an assuring smile. "I'm sorry, hija. But for this part. I think it will be your job to make your mom remember. I trust that you are the only person who can do that. You made an impression already. I know she'll know and feel that you're her daughter."
"Pero she had been blind," napayuko siya feeling pity for her mom.
"I have been convincing Mina for years na sumama sakin sa China. We have to admit they have the best technology scientifically. But she always refuse. I hope you can convince her now," ani Ismael. "For all we know, bringing back her sight will bring back her memories as well."
Nangintab na naman ang mata ni Yumie sa tuwa. She couldn't express her gratefulness towards this man.
"I'm sorry for asking. I know you said you didn't like any of my Dad's girl, but talaga bang kahit kunti you didn't feel any affection towards my mom?"
Natatawang naiiling si Ismael. "Zeek had been asking me that in years. But I insist, Mina is just a friend. A younger sister. Besides, I am your Dad's lowkey friend, ayokong sa kabilang buhay eh isinusumpa ako ni Hernan. And also, tatanggapin mo bang palitan ko ang Daddy mo sa puso ng Mommy mo? You might hate me more," Ismael said. "Also, I will still be your new dad soon if my stupid son propose to you sooner."
Yumie burst into a crying laugh. Her tears had uncontrollably flowing.
Umangat sa pagkakaupo si Ismael. He reached for Yumie's face and softly wiped her tears.
"Don't cry, hija. Zeekcarias might thought na pinapagalitan kita. Let bygones be bygones and live happily now. 12years might be too long hardship for you. But there's more to life. Let's start anew," Ismael said.
Yumie can't help it. She threw herself and hugged Ismael. She was so grateful. Her father might be in heaven but somehow she felt a fatherly warmth with Ismael. She sobbed in his shoulders...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
jaineyjane
jaineyjane The plot twist in a lowkey vibe.
I was also surprised that I got to plot this. I hope it turn out great. I guess were already done with the old time enemy dramas. Let's turn enemies to friendship. And make the world a better place.
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Ranking 
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