Chapter 129 - I Will Make It Right

Ajie was not able to get over yet from his state of shock when another bomb-like information floated into the screen. It was a piece of paper, enlarged and zoomed. A table was focused, in it were codes and percentage. The conclusion was then rolled out, and simultaneous gasp was heard from the crowd.

"Based on the data and analyses we have gathered, it is therefore proven that Angelo Lopez is the biological father of Adrian James Gonzaga."

Issa's loud sob of joy was then heard in the hall and all eyes were drawn to her. Leo was rubbing her back but his face turned pale as an onion sheet. The people may perceive it as an anticipated reaction of this massive revelation but no one could tell that it was all about his fear. How would he defend himself from the wrath of his son's biological family? He couldn't just say he didn't know where to return the child when he knew he could have reported it to their local authority. Not to mention that he was informed in the first place.

Above all, his greatest fear was how would Ajie react to this. Would he curse and hate them forever? Would he blame him for the kind of life he grew up with on the mountain when he could have enjoyed himself with the comfort and luxury his family could well provide? His intention may not be harmless as he and Issa filled his world with utmost love and care as parents to their child, but he knew he was still wrong. He knew his apology wouldn't be enough to bring back the losses Ajie's family had suffered. It could neither heal the grief and fear they had endured.

While Ajie and the rest marveled at how come his identity was found out, the voice of Mrs. Lopez rang into the air.

"When you came to me, few days ago, to give me the photos I requested, you were in your most bitter state. To my excitement, you obeyed and allowed me to place your head on my lap. And there I confirmed, I saw the heart-shaped red mark above your nape," explained Mrs. Lopez, her voice was already quivering.

"When I asked for your photos, I already knew you were mine. It's a mother's instinct, I guess. I knew it when I heard you speak to me for the first time. An inner voice told me that it's finally the answer to my prayer."

"Son, I have persistently prayed for your coming back the day we lost you. Rather than living with the bitterness inside, I tried to lessen my guilt by working on an orphanage with the hope that by doing so, you would find a beautiful home wherever you were."

Running her eyes on the audience, she continued.

"I came to believe that there's a purpose and a reason to everything that happens in our lives. So, I am grateful for the parents you grew up with. They raise you as a disciplined and kindhearted, young man. We can never pay for the rich experiences they let you go through which shapes and molds you to the kind of a person you are now."

Mr. Lopez stared at his wife in disbelief. How could she easily forgive the people who caused her pain and depression? To think, it cost her life and vigor for more than two decades. It even prompted her to dissociate from the world. Yet,when he looked back to how the events were arranged for their meeting, how he unusually softened up to him as a stranger and how he easily believed in his capabilities, he realized that God is there, guiding them all along. She's may be right then, there must be a reason why God allowed him to get lost.

While all of them remained staring at Ajie on the stage and Mrs. Lopez on the aisle, Jane ran up to the stage and with tears in her eyes, she threw herself at him in a tight embrace.

"Kuya!" was all that her lips could speak as she cried hard, overwhelmed by the turn of events.

Ajie wrapped her in his arms as well, his shoulders moving as he sobbed. For a long while they stayed like this and no one dared to disrupt them. They all knew it wouldn't be easy for them to transcend from being a couple who were supposed to formally announce their engagement, to the astounding news of their siblingship.

For who knew how long to which the crowd waited patiently, Ajie finally released Jane from his embrace and kissed her on the top of her forehead. Jane looked up and smiled, still with glistening tears in her eyes. As their gazes locked for seconds, the overwhelming sense of irony overflowed within her and she giggled, making Ajie and the rest of the crowd laugh as well. Needless to say, their engagement was dissolved that day.

Mr. Lopez strode up to the stage as well and even before Ajie could reach out to him, his emotion was already gripping the most vulnerable side of him and he was already crying.

"This explains why I like you so much and why I want to give you everything," said Mr. Lopez in between his sniffs.

"And why I just can't leave you dying on the shore," Ajie chuckled back, amused at the memory of him struggling with his weight from the shore to the end of the block.

The sweet tone of his son's laughter penetrated into his heart with strange and inexplicable joy that he laughed as well, until tears streamed down his face again.

Unable to contain his joy anymore, he picked up a microphone while his other hand was still around Ajie's shoulders.

"To my honored guests and family, none of you can ever tell how happy am I to know that I finally found my long, lost son. And the fact that he followed my steps even in my absence, makes me a happier and prouder dad here."

"And a prouder grandfather... " Mrs. Lopez answered him as she also came up with Chloe in her hand.

All eyes turned to her again and when they saw that her surprised and alienated granddaughter was on the verge of tears, they all broke out into a round of laughter.

"Picture, please..." Mrs.Lopez said as she waved a hand to the camera man, making the crowd cheer for that first family picture they had.

____

When all the guests stood up to congratulate their hosts before leaving, Leo and Issa also stood up to leave ahead. They planned to make their exit silently without disturbing their son who was still in the height of his joy in meeting his real family. They agreed to go directly on the bus terminal and return to their home in Molave. They would just wait there for the steps that the Lopez family would do to sue them. They were old after all and to spend their days in separate cells in jail for loving a child as their own, wouldn't be so much of a punishment. It woudn't be long anyway before their last days would be pronounced. At least, they were happy and fulfilled as a family.

Just as the hotel's shuttle van arrived at the pick-up area and Leo was able to help Issa in settling down to the passenger's seat, a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Tay, why don't you wait for me?"

Leo turned to find Ajie hovering over him.

Leo chuckled sheepishly before he could find his words. "Son, we don't want to disturb you so we agreed to go ahead."

"And why not ask me to call the driver?" said Ajie with hints of humiliation in his tone.

"Your mom wants us to return to Molave... "

"Without telling me?"

Leo scratched his head in guilt. He was already haunted with fear and guilt and now, he was also caught up unprepared to show him their sense of inferiority.

"Son, we just want to give you time to meet your real family without our shadows. We want you to know that we are so happy that you finally meet them and that we are also ready to accept the punishment."

"Punishment for what?" asked Ajie who was confused momentarily on what he meant.

"For keeping you as our child,"

answered Issa; her lips were already quivering as tears seeped into her mouth. "We could have reported it."

The truth of what she said stuck into his mind and he was taken aback. He then understood what they meant. Yet, he was still a child when that happened and all he remembered was their love and care for him.

How could he hate them? How could he allow them to be sued for loving him? How could he be fully happy to be recognized as the son of the world's top figure in marine industries if the parents he grew up with land in jail?

He also understood that aside from their sense of guilt, they also felt the sense of inferiority. They may had even thought that he would already be discarding them. Almost everyone, if not the whole world, knew Mr. Lopez, now his new father; and his image would make them think he was superior over them in the aspect of parenting. His heart was then torn in pity at this realization. No matter how poor they may be, he would always be proud and grateful for them. And if it was indeed a sin to adopt him, he swore he would do all it take to make it right.

"Nay, please don't do this to me. I haven't solved my problem yet and there you are, adding to my heartaches. You both are and will always be in my heart."

Before Issa could reason out, a voice interrupted them.

"Leo, Issa, please come down. We haven't given you the honor and haven't thanked you yet."

"Sir... " Leo mumbled, his eyes threw glints of fear towards Mr. Lopez. His most dreaded confrontation had already come and he couldn't help himself but tremble before him.

To his surprise, Mr. Lopez wrapped his arm around him and said, "call me Angelo from now on."