Chapter 25 — Never Say Goodbye

“NATASHA, we heard that your father sings, too. Is that true?”

I nodded before leaning on the couch. I closed my eyes to picture Papa’s face while strumming his guitar. This was my last interview before the Christmas break. I was hoping that this year, I could finally spend the Christmas with my family together, with Cain.

Last year, Kurt stayed in Canada while my father suddenly went on a camping a day before Christmas.

“My father will always be my favorite singer. His dream was to be a well-known singer, too. He was my mentor. He taught me how to play the guitar. We were each other’s number one fan. We used to sing together when I was a little girl. That time, Mama and my brother were our only audience.” I smiled faintly at the memory.

Everything was almost okay in my life now, except for my family. A month ago, I found out that Eunice was sent to a mental facility because of depression. I was told she had a major breakdown after she had an encounter with the families of her father’s victims outside the prison when she went to visit him.

As for Joaquin, he went abroad. But before that, he sent me a letter telling me how sorry he was that he resorted to leaving me because his family’s business went downhill; and the Ricafortes threatened him to make sure that they wouldn’t be able to rise in the business world anymore if he wouldn’t marry Eunice, who was hopelessly in love with him, leaving him no choice but to end his relationship with me.

Joaquin was able to revive their family business now. He told me he still loved me and that he knew there was no chance of us getting back together anymore, although he was hoping that we could still talk to each other one day.

I didn’t write him back, but I knew I had forgiven him. It was hard not to forgive when I had someone like Cain by my side. As for Eunice, I feel sorry for her. I’m truly hoping for her healing now, for everybody’s healing.

“Papa and I used to daydream together,” I added. “It was our dream to sing on the stage together.”

“Do you guys have a favorite song that you sing together?”

“Yes. It’s Fathers and Daughters by Michael Bolton. We love that song so much.”

“Really? I know that you already sang your latest single for us, Natasha. But if it’s not too much to ask, can we hear you sing that one for us? Please consider it as your advanced Christmas gift to your fans,” Agnes said, the host who replaced Kylie’s show.

I smiled when the crowd cheered. “Of course. I hope Papa’s watching right now. Pa, this is for you. I miss you and I love you.”

When I heard the sound of the piano, I stood up. But before I could sing, someone beat me to it. My eyes watered when I heard my father’s voice.

“If I could catch a star for you, I swear I’d steal them all tonight to make your every wish come true and every dream for all your life. But that’s not how the story goes. The world is full of perfect plans.”

Oh, God… Tears rolled down my cheeks when I saw Papa walking towards me while singing. For the first time after a long while, I’m finally seeing his bright smile again. His eyes were shining this time, too.

“Surprise!” Agnes mouthed to me when I turned to her. “Happy birthday!”

I sniffled. It was a happy birthday, indeed because my wish already came true. Papa was here and we were standing on one stage together.

“If there’s a promise that I broke, I know one day, you will understand. When times are hard, I know you’ll be strong. I’ll be there in your heart when you’ll carry on…” Papa sang once more. I felt like the song itself was his message to me.

I nodded.

I understand, Pa, don’t worry. I became strong the way you’ve always wanted me to be. And I knew you were silently there for me all this time because I know that deep inside, you’re the one who loved me the most, that you’re the one who was cheering for me the most. I smiled and sang with him. “Like moonlight on the water and sunlight in the sky, fathers and daughters never say goodbye…”

Papa then sang his part again, “An angel, I will read to sleep gave me one dream of my own. So, learn to love and spread your wings and find the one to call your home.”

I’ve found home, Pa. I’ve found it when I found Cain.

When Papa extended his hand, I rushed to him and held his hand. His tears fell. I sweetly smiled before singing my part again while my tears kept falling. We were currently on live but suddenly, it didn’t matter. I waited so long for this.

“When times are hard, I know you’ll be strong. I’ll be there in your heart when you’ll carry on. Like moonlight on the water and sunlight in the sky, fathers and daughters never say goodbye…” we sang together while looking at each other.

When the song was over, as the crowd cheered for me, I rushed to embrace my father. I closed my eyes when I felt his embrace. I didn’t notice how the show ended. I was embracing Papa the whole time. When we were backstage, I was surprised to see Kurt there while holding a heart-shaped cake. I thought he was still in Canada. No one informed me that he was back in the country.

“Sis, I’m sorry. I’m done running away. I will never do it again. Papa and I already talked,” Kurt said while crying. “We talked about our regrets. I’m really sorry, sis, if you felt like we abandoned you. We didn’t. I didn’t. I just couldn’t stand the pain so I constantly blamed myself. I thought Mama would have been alive if not for me, if I didn’t have an accident which forced Dad to do something extreme in order to provide for my medical expenses. Thinking about the 'would-have-beens' had hurt me so much. I knew you’ve been trying so hard all this time to fix our relationship with each other. But at that time, I found it suffocating. I couldn’t live in the same house without feeling that I’ve been a burden to you, to our family, so I had to leave for a while. I’m sorry, Tash, and I’m… back. And it’s for good this time. Happy birthday, sis.”

“Thank you, but can you put down the cake for a while?” I asked in a broken voice. “I miss you so much and I can’t wait to hug you.”

I didn’t have to say it twice. Kurt quickly put the cake on the nearest chair before embracing me. I gently patted his back when I heard him weep. “Hush. Everything’s okay now because both you and Papa are here now. Welcome back, brother.”

Not long after and Papa embraced us, too. “Forgive me, Natasha and Kurt. I failed your mother and I failed you both. I failed to become a good provider and a good father. I accidentally heard your conversation with your grandfather before, Natasha, about Cain and the deal you had with him for the sake of our family. I felt so ashamed. I felt so worthless. I was filled with guilt that’s why I couldn’t face you. I also thought that Kurt blamed me for what happened to all of us. I thought that your relationship as siblings would go back to the way it was before without me in the picture, that’s why I stayed away. But I’m tired of staying away now. I love you so much, my children.”

“Don’t worry, I was never mad, Pa. I couldn’t get mad at you and Kurt. I knew that both of you were going through something that’s why I waited. But what made you suddenly decide to come back?”

“I watched the CDs which Cain gave me after the last time we talked. I couldn’t do it before because I get hurt whenever I’d watch you and then I would remember your mother and the sacrifices you made for us. But after watching the CDs, I realized how wrong I was to stay away. Thank you for everything that you’ve done for us, sweetheart.”

“Cain also sent me those CDs,” Kurt said. “He comes to visit me once a month. He’d play chess with me, ask how I was doing, and then he would give me an update about you and Papa. He would constantly encourage me about watching the CDs. He was a good man, Tash. He had been like a brother to me. Just like Papa, I couldn’t also watch your concert without feeling guilty. But I tried watching those videos a few days ago. And for the first time after more than two years, I no longer felt suffocated. I also had a dream about Mama last night. She’s happy now, Tash.”

“I’m sure she is,” I said as I embraced them as tightly as I could.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by Cain’s smiling face. He was standing beside Grandpa. They were sitting with the audience a while ago. The three of us were planning to have dinner together afterwards.

When I formally introduced Cain to Grandpa as my boyfriend, to my surprise, Grandpa accepted him. I would have wanted to introduce him to my father first, but I couldn’t contact him these past few days. He wasn’t in his apartment. Now I knew he was with Kurt all along.

“How can I still refuse when all the Vampires came to me last night including the Night King and pledge that they will take care of you and our family for eternity if I will give His Highness my blessings?” I remembered Grandpa saying while looking amazed. “I know that they will really cherish you. I also know that soon, they will visit your father, too, Natasha. I should tell your father about this so he would not be surprised anymore. Seeing all the high-ranking Vampires in flesh could be very overwhelming.”

I knew nothing about that. I wasn’t even aware about the CDs and that Cain visited Papa and Kurt constantly which meant that I wasn’t the only one he took care of these past few years. He also took care of the two most important men in my life. When he said to leave everything to him, I didn’t know that this was what he meant.

“Thank you,” I mouthed. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he mouthed back.

I was so happy that I felt like my heart was about to burst. I closed my eyes to savor more of my family’s embrace while praying. When I opened my eyes, I flashed my sweetest smile.

Mama, wherever you are, please don’t worry about us anymore. We’re okay now. We’re happy now.

It took two years and four months for this reunion to be possible. And God, what a reunion it was. Years of waiting were worth it.

And I owed it all to the man who had been quietly cheering for me all these years, to the man who had embraced me in my darkest days and held onto me until I could see the rainbow again. Cain was the one who had encouraged me to keep waiting for them while helping me heal.

After a long time, we could all see the rainbow again. After a long time, the healing was finally done.