Love for Ransom (Tagalog)

Chapter One

MIKA

Napangiti ako nang sinalubong ako ng mga kapatid ko suot ang kanilang party hats pagkatapos tanggalin ni Daddy ang panyo na itinakip niya sa mga mata ko. Nakatayo sila sa tabi ng puntod ni Mommy sa loob ng musuleo na ipinagawa para sa kanya.

It's my eighteenth birthday and mommy's death anniversary.

Namatay si Mommy pagkatapos niya akong ipanganak. No one's blaming me for it but sometimes, I couldn't help but blame myself. If it wasn't for me, Mommy will still be here.

Nawala ang mga iniisip ko nang marinig ko ang pagkanta ng mga kuya ko at ni Daddy. They all look so happy, ayokong sayangin ang mga preparations na ginawa nila kaya agad akong ngumiti.

♪ Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday... happy birthday to you

Inilapit sa akin ni Kuya Johan ang strawberry cheese cake na hawak niya. May isang pink candle na nakatusok sa ibabaw nito na agad sinindihan ni Kuya Nikko.

"Happy birthday our princess. Make a wish then blow your candle," sabi pa ni Kuya Johan at tumango naman ako.

Kuya Johan's the eldest in our family. At twenty two years old, he's the youngest businessman that made it to the list of Top 10 Most Influential People in Business.

But, despite everything, the pain in his eyes never left. And it was all because of an accident that happened almost three years ago.

"I want a great love like my mom and my dad," bulong ko habang nakapikit. Agad kong hinipan ang kandila nang muli kong idinilat ang mga mata ko.

"Happy birthday, bunso!"

Hinalikan ako ni Kuya Nikko sa noo pagkatapos niyang bumati sa akin. After that, he handed me a bouquet of my favorite flower—yellow roses.

"What did you wish for?" curious na tanong niya pa at sumingit naman si Kuya Shaun para asarin ako.

"Boyfriend lang naman ang gusto n'yan. NBSB kasi!" Nag-high five pa sila ni Kuya Nikko at sabay na tumawa.

These bullies!

Kuya Nikko and Kuya Shaun are fraternal twins. They're both twenty years old but according to Dad, Kuya Nikko's older than Kuya Shaun by five minutes.

They really like to joke around but they are serious when it comes to the corporate group that our family owns—the Martinez Group of Companies. They are business-minded like Kuya Johan and of course, Dad.

"What are you planning to do, Kuya Shaun?" nagtatakang tanong ko naman nang lumapit siya at nagpunta sa likuran ko.

I thought he's just tripping around, kaya napasinghap ako nang may maramdaman akong malamig sa leeg ko. It's a silver necklace with my name as its pendant.

Agad akong napangiti habang hawak ko ang necklace na nakasuot sa leeg ko. I'm so lucky to have these three as my brothers, they never fail to make me feel how precious I am to them as their only sister.

"Thank you," grateful kong sabi sa kanilang tatlo at ngumiti naman sila.

Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon nang si Dad naman ang kumuha ng atensyon naming apat. Agad namang tumabi ang mga kapatid ko para sa aming dalawa.

Lumapit si Daddy sa akin at yumakap naman ako sa kanya. Hugging my dad is my sense of relief, the gesture would always make me feel safe and comfortable.

And despite his busy schedule because of our corporate group, he would always make it his priority to make time for us.

"Princess, happy birthday! You are eighteen now. You are obviously not a minor anymore," he formally started and I just giggled. "This means that you'll be having more freedom now but that equates to more responsibilities as well. But hey, Daddy will always have your back no matter what and that's a promise."

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, sweetie," malambing niyang balik sa akin. "You've grown into such a fine young lady and I'm proud of you. I'm sure your mom is proud of you, too."

Muling nanumbalik ang lungkot ko when my dad mentioned Mom. It doesn't even make sense that I am missing her so much despite me not being able to meet her. I've only seen her in pictures but I badly long for her.

I guess we will always have this special connection that can only be filled by a mother.

"I miss her so much, Daddy. God knows how much I long for her."

"She misses you too, Anak. Ang tagal naming hinintay ng mommy mo na magkaroon ng baby girl. Kung alam mo lang kung gaano siya ka-excited no'ng nalaman niyang darating ka."

"We miss mom too. But Dad's right, we're sure she misses us as well. Lalo ka na," duktong ni Kuya Shaun sabay pisil sa ilong ko. "Smile, okay? Mommy wouldn't like it if you're sad."

Tumango ako at sinubukan kong ngumiti tulad ng sinabi ni Kuya Shaun. Yumakap sila sa akin at hawak pa ni Dad ang picture ni Mommy para kasama rin daw namin siya. I know it's silly but it just shows his love for our mom.

Muli akong nagpasalamat habang yakap ko sila. Hindi mapapantayan ng kahit anong engrandeng celebration ng debut ang saya na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Just having them here with me is more than enough. I feel very blessed.

"Thank you Kuya Johan, Kuya Nikko, Kuya Shaun and Daddy. I know that you seldom hear this from me but I just want you to know that I love you and I'm grateful for everything."

"Ikaw pa ba? Malakas ka sa amin," sabi naman ni Kuya Nikko at ginulo niya pa ang buhok ko bago siya umakbay sa akin. "You'll always be our princess. And we'll always be your brothers no matter how annoying we are," tawa niya pa.

"Nandamay pa 'to. Pwede namang ikaw lang ang annoying," sabi naman ni Kuya Shaun kaya nagharutan pa sila ni Kuya Nikko na parang mga bata. Sinali pa nila sina Dad at Kuya Johan na parehong napailing na lang sa mga antics ng kambal.

Habang nagkukulitan sila, kinuha ko naman ang picture ni Mommy para humalik dito at bumulong.

"Mommy, we'll try to make the most of this borrowed life. I promise."