Chapter 46: The New Beginning

The morning light was seeping through the window curtain when I woke up; that I looked around from the ceiling to the walls. I'm sure that I was on my bed and I saw some hospital equipment. My head still spinning but I stood up, walked slowly, opened the door, and sat in front of the door outside. I cannot tackle myself to walk alone.

"Anybody there!" I shouted that a male nurse came running towards me.

"Sir, why you don't call me first," the nurse said.

"Where's Edward?"

"I'll call him sir right away."

The male nurse dialed a number on his cell phone," Sir Edward, the patient wants to talk to you. Can you come over here now?"

"Sir Edward's coming now...sir?"

"Okay, take me to the garden now."

"Yes sir."

"And don't forget to serve an orange juice...and the daily newspaper."

"Alright sir got it. Want a wheel chair?"

"No, just help me...walk..."

"Okay sir, come."

As we walked near the garden, I felt the sun's rays warming my skin and flesh. An invigorating freshness, after an emotional outburst just like the multi-colored flowers around me welcoming for a new day. I closed my eyes, smelled the morning dew, and felt my heart beating for me to continue living. A beautiful life and a beautiful day indeed!

"Nurse, thank you...tell them to bring some orange juice."

"Okay sir....a moment please."

The nurse served the orange juice with a smile on his face, "Sir, you want something to eat?"

"Thank you, later."

"Sir Marco, you have visitors at the guest's house, would you like them to come here?"

"Who are they?"

"Your family from Manila sir."

"Where's your sir Edward?"

"He's coming....on the way now."

"Okay, send them here."

My five children came running to me and I hugged them all at once. Tears were falling down on my checks, I missed them so much.

"Dad, you're so dramatic," Anne Rose said while wiping my tears.

"I'm so very happy to meet you all...my children!"

"Dad, how are you now?" Kent asked.

"Yes Dad, how's your feeling now?" John said.

"Don't worry...I'm fine now but the problem is....I can't remember some of your name," as I smiled at them. "Anne Rose right?"

"Yes, Dad! Yeheyy, you remember my name," as Anne Rose kissed and embraced me.

"You're a woman now my little princess," I said to Anne. "And, this is Michael?"

"Dad, I'll introduce them to you, alright?" Anne said and I nodded.

"Next to me is Kent Ian, then, John Philip and this is Danny Robert. The last one is Christine Mae....the youngest." Anne pinpointed them one by one in front of me that I kissed and hugged them, one by one too. But the youngest Christine stayed with me by my side.

"Dad, I love you....I heard you're a superstar!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha...." I laughed lightly when Edward appeared.

"Hello, my friend Marco Fernando!!"

"Hello, my friend Edward Ramirez!!"

Edward embraced and hugged me. "How do you feel now? It's been three days since the doctor injected some drugs for you to take a rest thoroughly."

"I'm fine now Edward....and thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it, I'm your best friend remember? Ang nakilala mo sa public plaza ng Bacolod City?"

"Yes, but how do you know about them?"

"Well, in Dubai City, I knew their situation, I mean Danielle and Roger. They're quarreling about the money coming from you. And they're not on good terms. I hired a detective service to follow them. Actually, the plan came from Roger Ferrer, not Danielle or Mike Luna."

"I see...thanks to you. How's your wife, your family?"

"Actually they're together with Ayah Isabel and Lina Luna at the shopping mall. They're coming..."

"Thank you for everything that you've done to me."

Edward smiled at me and hugged me again. "Your children are grown up now, seems like yesterday, huh?"

"Yes, I want to live because of them. Edward, I remember something, my daughter from Danielle....I left her in the hotel before I went here....her name is Shaira Gustilo Fernando."

"Same hotel in Makati?"

"Yes Edward. Can you check her for me?"

"Okay friend."

Edward called the hotel in Makati City and positively talked to Shaira.

"Marco, she's still there at the hotel. I think it's better that I have to go and fetch her up."

"Yes, Edward.... and this is the best time to introduce her to my family. What do you think?"

"You know better than me Marco."

"I think, I'll fetch Shaira in Makati and Ayah too at the shopping mall."

"You know better than me Edward."

"You fool my friend..ha-ha-ha-...Okay, I'm going..."

As Edward started to leave; my five children appeared before me. They're joyfully smiling at me which made me think other than making me happy. I was very happy!

"Dad, we knew what you are talking about....our sister Shaira? Uncle Edward told us before that you had two children from a woman named Danielle? Don't worry, we're grown up now and we understand about this matter. All of us wants to meet her and don't worry about Mommy, we can handle this." Anne said.

"Thank you so much, Anne, Kent, John, Danny and Christine. You're all...so understanding...thank you my children..."

"Dad, be happy for your life....we're behind you always," Kent said to me holding my hand. "Yes Dad," the rest of the children said in unison.

They entertained me while we were waiting for Ayah Isabel, Lina Luna, Shaira, and Vivian Montoya. Our bonding was very successful in terms of getting to know each other again. For the past years, I'm away with them, my heart still longing for the very core of their being; the very essence of their love for their father. With my situation right now; sitting, observing, and smiling at them while they made their own effort to show their prowess in front of me which they cannot get while I'm in a normal state.

Loving the way I felt for them was making waves of intimate feeling that they're longing for a long time. The reciprocal relationship confirmed that I will stay for them, love them and lead the way for their future.

The nightmare that I experienced with my friends changed into a very beautiful feeling not to be found by other people, only by my beloved family. It's my loved ones that triggered the most valuable essence of my being. It was with them all throughout, but I cannot see when a shroud of material things covered my entire self.

"Anne Rose, I heard from your brother that you're working with the Philippine government new project?"

"Yes Daddy, that's true....a joint venture of the American government and our country. It's a new project....and it's confidential in nature. I asked my leave of absence because I wanted to meet you here Dad."

"I love you, baby....be careful always and don't forget to pray to God the Father."

"Yes Daddy, I'll do that...and thanks. You know about Kent Daddy?"

"What about?"

"He's aiming to work at Malacañang Palace; he's number one in BAR exam Dad and really a politician."

"Anne Rose, please call them; John, Danny, and Christine."

"Okay Dad."

Anne Rose called them up at the other end of the hall and came back with her three brothers and a sister.

"Dad we're here...all of us."

XXX

"Take your seats facing me...all of you," I said looking at them all seriously. "Well, you are all my children and today, I just know all your names and some of your behavior but deep inside of me, I didn't know what kind of individual are you...in mind and heart. Forgive me for not knowing this before, yes that was before when you're all still young then. As I struggle my life from other countries, I know, that I left behind to know your true self which are the best essence of being a father. All of you, as I observed these past hours, that we decided your schooling at home because of me. Since I gave your independence to study outside, you molded your personality the way you wanted it to be. On this regards, please allow me to know that and your ambition in life. So that, I could love you as my sons and daughters; and love you as what you intend to be. Can you do that for me?" I seriously looked at them in their eyes, one by one with the feeling of knowing their true minds and hearts; to know them better as their beloved father.

"Daddy, I'll start the ball rolling and I'm your eldest daughter. Well, Dad, as I've told you a while ago and this is my job. I'm ready and interested for it. As of now, I've got used to physical, emotional and intelligence training. We're trained by American experts. And as I said, some are confidential in nature. For loving someone, not yet and I love what I'm doing now. Dad, what can you say?"

"You're the best baby Anne Rose! I have trust on you to carry on with your chosen field. I know you can do it excellently. One thing I'd like to ask for you, take good care of your three brothers and especially the youngest princess. You're the eldest and that's your responsibility for them all. All of you, do you understand? Keep your attachment to your eldest sister whatever you're doing with your life."

"Okay, very good Anne Rose. Next, Kent Ian?"

"Yes Dad I'm here. Well, just graduated from college and a top-notch of BAR exam. Dad, actually, I'm gaining my footing from the political world and really love my profession. You know what Dad, my hidden ambition....to become President of the Philippines. Are you with me Dad?"

"Yes, Kent Ian, lovely and I'm really proud of you. All I can say is that, be aware always of the people around you, or friends, especially some politicians. You know our political system here in the Philippines, right?"

"Yes, Dad and thank you."

"Also, don't forget to pray and call HIM when you needed help."

"Yes Dad, I'll remember that."

"How about love my handsome son?"

"Dad, with regard to loving someone....not now Dad, maybe later on."

"Well, John Philip, your turn now."

"Dad I personally thank you... and as for me, I'm still in college, got the chemical engineering course, but I'm planning to take some other science course too. Dad, you know what, I'm running for a cum laude of the Engineering Department. And, I really loved doing some other things that interests me. Well, for love....later on...I think so..."

"Good...very good John...keep the good work...I admire you, my son!"

"Thank you Dad!"

"Danny...your turn?" I said looking at him.

"Dad, I want to be like you....a billionaire! What can you say Daddy?"

"Well, Danny, thank you for making me proud of my accomplishments but my life story is very different from yours. Besides, I came from..." I stopped and looked at him...all of them.

"We understand Dad...know your love story...life story." Anne Rose said.

"Dad, you know me...want to be a businessman with my own way. And for love, well, I can't say for the moment. Promise Dad, I swear!"

"Okay Danny, like your vision and I salute you for that."

"Thanks, Dad! You know what Daddy, your little angel wanted to be an international model and actress," as he presented Christine Mae in front of me.

"Are you sure Christine my angel?"

"Yes Dad, I can afford isn't it?" Christine performed her killer stance in front of us. "See Dad, I can act too...you like sample Dad?"

"No thanks my angel....you're so artistic and beautiful!" I kissed her and whispered, "I'm sure you can do it because you are perfect in every angle."

"Really Dad!"

"Yes my dear!"

"Ohhh I love you Dad!" She hugged me tightly and said, "Thank you, Daddy."

"All of you take your seats. What we're doing right now including the audio, the video are recorded for my files. I want this because I treasure this moment to each of you. Who knows, maybe in the future, I'll be with you again. With regard to all your financial expenses, allowances, and other matters, I'll assign somebody to handle this."

"Okay, Dad." All of them said in unison. I smiled and everyone kissed and hugged me. Still sitting on my wheel chair, they pushed me towards the center of the hall, opened their gifts, and gave them to me individually. Very glad for this moment with my children, the thing that I didn't do for them while growing up. The lost time that I spent as an Overseas Filipino Worker cannot be redeemed by spending a shorter time but looking at the result of their accomplishments and personality as a responsible citizens.

"Thank you so much my children...truly loved your presents to me."

The group came while we were at the center of the hall, and my wife, Ayah Isabel hastily embraced me crying.

"Marco, I'm so sorry...hu-hu-hu-hu....please forgive me," I said whispering to her, "Don't worry at all, we'll talk that later. Do you know her?"

"Yes Marco, she's beautiful, I talked to her....explained everything. Our children know already about them and Danielle. Let's introduce her to our children."

"Okay."

Ayah Isabel pushed the wheelchair where the group was sitting introducing each other through the leadership of Edward. I saw Lina Luna but I eluded my mind to talk to her at that moment. I kept my silence I wanted them to initiate the introduction. I looked at them all especially Shaira; smiling and contented to be with the group.

I moved my right hand to Ayah's hand, and tightly fingered her palm, a signal to start the introduction. She squeezed my palm too, an affirmative sign to begin.

"Good afternoon to all, especially our children, Edward and wife, Lina and son, and Shaira. You know, Shaira's alone now. She's Marco's daughter from Danielle who truly loved him since our college days. I knew that you already have some knowledge about it through your uncle Edward." Ayah Isabel stopped and looked at Shaira who was listening very carefully. "Shaira, come over here," she said walking to the seat where Shaira was sitting. They came back to me and Shaira embraced me and said, "Dad thank you so much, I missed you...I thought you left me..."

"I'm responsible for you now...and I love you baby."

"Yes Dad, I know...we'll talk that some other day Dad."

"Okay Shaira," and I kissed her while I observed my five children looking intently. "Anne Rose, Kent Ian, John Philip, Danny Robert, and Christine Mae, I formally accept and introduce Shaira Gustilo Fernando...your sister and our family member now. Come to my children...welcome her...." All of them embraced and welcomed her warmly and I'm glad for this reunion.

"Thanking you all for accepting me here...Daddy Marco...Mommy Ayah...thank you so much!" She cried in front of the group.

As I saw Shaira crying...as my children hugged each other.... my tears fall to the book I'm holding on my lap which was given to me by Ayah Isabel as a gift. The title and author are written in bold letter:

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW):

This is My Life and Story

By

An OFW

"To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine"

Alexander Pope

XXX