She's Forbidden

our holiday vacation in the Philippines

head one after another. "I don't want to, Mommy.

ee your brothers? They miss you, Ariana," she added, convincing me. Fro

us, we shouldn't force our daughter. It won't help our daughter's condition if we force her to do things she doesn't want. Besides, you can Ken Rick an

continued my studies and my treatment was still undergoing. Even though I didn't rea

r breakfast. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear that they

hs I avoided them, for months I made an excuse, a way not to s

ing alone after lunch?

e same time, daddy smiled at me. Whil

want to go alone

after anoth

hon

needs us by her side." I secretly smiled at what Daddy said. He always took my side. When it comes to freedom and decision making Daddy is the fir

Daddy who ins

gh. "Fine," she wa

y seat. I smiled broadly when I faced Daddy. "Thank

I don't want you to

will leave the house alone. For the past few months, Mommy has not

at Daddy would hang out at Starbucks in the mall where I was to make sure they can attend to me

hen Mommy barely let me go when I said g

teen. What if she gets lost inside th

be

I'll be fine." I gave

e?" she aske

, Mo

*

getting stressed by the thought of seeing my older brothers. I wasn't ready to see them yet, I didn't know if I could make them believe that I had

g. I'm sure Mommy and Daddy will be suspicious when I come

ing around looking for something to buy. I noticed

t the pink on

one was already paid and rese

he scream she made. The other customer who wa

a'am...," repeated the sal

ak Tagalog. Is she Filipino? I did not hesitate to approach

I whispered a

ly and smiling sa

one." I smile. The sales lady's eyes twinkled, secretly gratefu

ou're Filipino," I declared

rows rose. "So

like you." I introduced mysel

nd

my fellow Filipino. Coffee?" Her eyebrows rose

lermo," she said, then

y cheesecake and matcha frappe and she had an iced hazelnut latte. We took the nearest table to the c

ily?" Daisy asked as she swirled the stra

older brothers stayed

.." She

yed here with your fami

me away to my biological father I now live in the Philippines. I'm

is... I did not know my real father because I was the result of

d. "Yes, I've

That's

"I grew up with Daddy Jayco as my father. But then, suddenly... I would know that he wasn't

than knowing that my beloved father isn't actually my real father?

ologize. I didn't know she had

. We have different struggles in

a brave and resilient woman. I think I like her.

ickly swallowed the piece of strawberry cheesec

y here with the thought of not wasting my

e of that. You can't be with your siblings because you don't remember them. I'm sure the

d was just staring at my dessert. I suddenly remembered my brothers left behind in the Philippines. The times when they did nothing but make me happy even though they weren't my real br

ugh we were not sure when we would meet again. She convinced me several times to return to the Philippines next year so that we could b

*

ort. Today, my brothers will arrive from the Philippines. After I talked to Daisy I thought carefully about what s

with me, so am I to them. They've been good older brothers to me, maybe it's time for me to be a good sister to them to

ked me with her hand anchored to my right arm. W

ed Mommy but I was more nervous meeting

they are yo

help it,"

. Remember, she still doesn't fully remember her

orgets her brothers." Mommy sighed deeply. "Why

scolde

mediately stopped walking and turned to me for a hug.

my. I understan

mmy and Daddy misses my siblings but they are trying to fight the sadness of not being with their

t the banner we had worked so hard to make yesterday. We did that so that

Immediately Mommy and Daddy's faces lit up, the joy and happiness in their eyes was obvious to me. I stared

Kurt...," I called their attentio

saw me. I couldn't help the mixed emotions cause my tears to flow. They stepped towards me but immediately stoppe

he first time in my life I felt my heart pounding so fast, and I kn