I should have been offended about that scene. But it's actually funny. I have never cause that much drama in a long time. It seems that my life in this country is going to be filled with dramas and jokes and coincidences. I fixed a lunch for myself and went to the study to check on my emails and my pending things to do. I can't wait to hear from him what happened after. I am not a bit worried that he will give in to marriage talk again. Especially now that we finally progress with our relationship. I just confessed for crying out loud.
I have an email from my Mom. Re: Your father's work in Korea. I eagerly opened the email; it was filled with attached images. And there was a P.S at the end. There are people snooping around asking for our family's background and your father's work in Korea. Is this about you and Jae-woo? I have told her about my relationship with him but not everything.
I was looking intently at the images. I was shocked and speechless. For a moment, I was immobile. This can't be right. The passport is clearly my father's face but why it's saying Ronel Fernandez? There is one ID that really make me more shocked. Team Manager: Ronel Fernandez, Namshin Foods Production Department. This is not the plot twists I was expecting to have. For a moment, I just stared at the images.
I decided at that moment to go home and confront my Mom personally. And I cannot possibly talk to Jae-woo about this until I know much of it. I pack the necessary things, which only include 1 set of changing clothes when I get back, my laptop, phone, passport, my cards…
I called Soo-ah to say I am going to be off the grid for a while. She knew what it means. Then I called Professor Kim to arrange my week-long schedule. I knew I haven't been in attendance with my lectures much, but I still have leeway since there's not really much to do with physical lectures for now.
It's not even a day that passes since I confessed to him and now another challenge presented itself again. Is this really the fate for us? Did we meet because of this connection? I searched on the news of that 1995 incident again. Finally, the article I have been looking for. Ronel Fernandez, Nam Sha-na's lover, the father of her 2 kids is the middleman of Nam Shin-jae and the Assemblyman. Ronel Fernandez. My father had a different life in this country. Memories of the day he came home flooded my thoughts; I remember clearly now.
He came home without anything with him. He was deported because he fought with his boss. That's how much we knew. Then 1 month later 2 boxes and 2 luggage came, his stuff, his friends sent them to him. And then another fight ensued with him and my Mom. My mom found pictures that made her so mad. I saw the torn pictures after on the floor, saw him hugging another woman. That was the first time I felt offended snooping to his things. I needed to know the story of what happened. My mom might tell me something. I felt so weak realizing now, I might have half-siblings that I didn't know about. Half-siblings that is connected to Jae-woo as well. Wow, fate you are cruel.
I arrived at Laoag International Airport 11 in the evening. My uncle, who is the designated driver to most personal matters for the company is waiting. I insisted on going home to Claveria immediately. There's no use in postponing the inevitable. I decided to open my phone and send a message to Jae-woo. Sorry. Family emergency. Nope, I'm not disappearing on you.
No matter what will happen. I won't let my happiness be affected by the past. It was something that none of us wanted. I came here to know the story and no matter how hard it is to accept, I told myself to be strong and not to give in.
Is there anything I can do? He replied. We'll talk when I get back. I answered. We arrived at the farm 2 in the morning. Everyone is already asleep, but some farm workers are still clearly minding their shifts. It's been 3 months since I last came here. I never really stayed long, it's my mom and James' family residence now. But we still have our own rooms. The Farm Villa has 9 bedrooms, only 4 bedrooms are being used, one for the 2 helpers in the house, for my mom, for my brother and his wife and for his 2 daughters. The other 5 rooms are for us, if we are on holidays. The guest house annex connected by the garage bridge has 4 bedrooms. Most of the workers in the farm have their own housing within the farm grounds, it was my brother's initiative for the loyal workers.
"Are you going home, uncle?" I asked. He is living in Laoag but when he is in Claveria, he usually stays at their family house in the city center.
"Yes, we have to drive some guests to the airport tomorrow. Just let me know when you're going back." He informed. He is my mom's brother. I have always been close with him and his family, although at times when I remember back how he treated me in my college days, I can't help but smile, he is always there when we needed him. He and his wife are managing the resort we built at Pagudpud. It's a private beach resort that is only being rented for friends and acquaintances of the family.
"Thank you. Sorry for the urgent call…"
I manage to have some sleep. I can't just barge into my Mom's room at 2 in the morning because of my curiosity and worry. I woke up and I can already hear how busy it is in the house. I went to have a quick shower and put on a dress. It's almost summer in the Philippines now. I opened the windows of my room; it is overlooking the swimming pool and garden. The warm fresh breeze of the farm makes me feel nostalgic. Welcome home, I greeted myself. I went down and everyone is already busy doing their routine mornings.
"Manang, let's eat." Greeted my brother's wife. The spread for breakfast on the dining table is inviting.
"Where's Mom?"
"She's in her new garden. She ate already."
"Thanks. I'll just have coffee for now."
I found my Mom at the other side of the house. She had been focusing most of her time gardening. If she is not at the learning center, she spends most of her time gardening. Or going to her sisters' place for mahjong. She travels to Rotterdam every 6 months or to Japan to visit her grandchildren. She will be with Marcus in May.
"Good morning…are you busy?" I greeted, she stood up.
"Are you not busy with your PhD to come all the way here? What's this about?" She is still the same, direct to the point no affection whatsoever.
"The e-mail, you know already…I'm sorry to be digging into the past. But this is important to me right now…" I notified.