Another Rhapsody

After his birthday celebration, Arthur was all alone with his two children: Jake and Hannah. His son, Jake stayed outside with his guitar, playing again the famous rhapsody. While he was doing the music, Hannah came near and sitted beside him. The gentleman stopped playing the guitar and looked his sister.

It was just a moment of silence. No speech, not even a single word was uttered. Then the lady broke the as she said, "Brother!" Then the man stood up and opened his arm and said, "Sister." Hannah stood up and hugged his brother. It was the first time for this children to embrace each other.

Arthur was watching his two children from a distance. He could not help his tear to fall as he observing them. He remembered the moment when he met Josephine, the mother of the two, for the first time. They were both college students when they met each other. They were studying at the University of Sto. Tomas. He was a regular of the school while Josephine an academic scholar.

Arthur was a member of a famous a boy band and Josephine became a fan of them. Josephine was so beautiful then that could not be unnoticed by the boys performing at the stage. All the four members of the band had a crush on her. But it was him who was lucky to get her.

Josephine got pregnant when she was sophomore. Arthur was graduating that time in Accountancy. He brought her to his parents but both his mother and his father did not welcome her. So Josephine decided to go home to Cebu.

It was a little late when Arthur knew about it. The ship, where Josephine on board, was already leaving when he arrived to the pier. He immediately went to the ticketting office at the airport terminal and book the soonest flight to Cebu.

Arthur arrived to Cebu earlier than Josephine. He waited for her at the sea port area. Josephine was totally surprised when she saw her boyfriend was already waiting for her at the pier.

Arthur took a deep breath when he recalled the moment he faced the parents of Josephine. He received a lot of harsh words, insults and threats. They were really disappointed upon knowing that their daughter could no longer continue her study. Arthur accepted all those rudeness as the consequences of his faults.

He rather chose to show them that he was a responsible man, willing to stand for the girl he loved for what it may take. It was a real struggle for him as he was not used to live in a countryside and he did not know how to speak Cebuano. He learned fishing and a little farming. With his hardwork he was able to support his girlfriend who was then preparing for her delivery of their first baby.

Josephine gave birth to a girl and they name her Hannah Irish. It seemed everything was well then. Their wedding was already set, but one afternoon he discovered that Josephine had intimate moment with another girl. He caught the ladies naked doing something he could not bear.

Arthur took his daughter and went back to Manila. He did not knew that Josephine was pregnant of his second child. Josephine sent some letters asking for forgiveness but he acted as if he did not care. He was really hurt. He was just thankful that she had his daughter with him.

The last mail that Arthur had received from Josephine was attached with some photos of a baptism of a baby boy. Comparing the images of the boy to his old pictures when he still an infant. That boy really looked alike him. It must be his.

He was working then in the company owned by his father. He was already earning more than enough money to support himself and his daughter, so he decided to send some money to Josephine to support the boy's need. He was regularly sending financial support though she never demanded for it.

Looking again to his son and daughter, he felt happy that two became close to each other. Though he did not hear what they are talking about, but it was enough for their body language that the two was comfortable to each other. He wanted to join with them, but he just gave them the time for each other. He considered that his son might not comfortable with him, perhaps if he would join, he would just spoil their moment.

He was not aware that the two was planning to go to Cebu on the semestral break to celebrate the birthday of their mother. Hannah was really excited to see her mother. She would like to see her as soon as possible, she proposed to his brother that they will go to Cebu the next weekend. However Jake said that semestral break would be the best time for it because she will be celebrating her birthday and they could spend more time there together.

Arthur was also planning to reconcile with Josephine. Looking at their daughter who was totally like her, he cannot help but reminisce the moment they were together. He was contemplating that he still have feeling for her. It was true it he was really hurt. But time had already healed. He had his own plan going to Cebu.

When semestral break had come, the siblings went to Cebu. Jake was so excited to surprise his mother with his special gift for her - long lost daughter. Hannah was even more excited to meet her mother. They wished they have their father with them. Hannah had told Arthur but he was busy in his business (She thought he was just his excuse). Yet when they arrived to the house they were totally surpised because their father was already there.

Arthur went there in August, few days after his birthday, for the reconcilation. But Josephine had one request to him, "Please bring my daughter to me." Arthur had a plan to let his daughter accompany him in his next visit to Cebu, but when he knew Hannah and Jake had already a plan, he just let be, and plan another kind of surprise.

Hannah asked her mother's hand to bless her, and soon after the two hugged very tight. Looking his mother and sister hugging, Jake decided to joined them. Then Arthur embraced his newly united family.