Found Again

“Let’s go, baby!”

Alli and I agreed to visit her adopted family today. It’s our first time to visit them together. I’m sure that Alli thinks that it’s my first time going to her former house. But little did she know, when she left me years ago, I often visit her adopted parents to ask for advice, they are very welcoming and I could see and feel how much they love Alli. I understand now why Alli loved them so much.

“Mom, Dad, and Dennis, I’d like to formally introduce to you my boyfriend, Andrew Lopez.” Alli formally introduced me to her adopted family after we settle down in their house and after I gave my gifts to them.

Aunt Leona gave me a warm hug, while Uncle Carlo and Dennis tap me on my shoulder.

“I’m glad that you two went back together. We saw how devastated he was when you left. We also saw how faithful he is to you. Despite his fame, he never looks at anyone or finds a replacement. He would always tell us that you will come back to him, and when that happens, he will never let you go.” Aunt Leona said with teary eyes.

I smiled and hug Alli because I could see that she is starting to get emotional again. Two years was indeed wasted for lack of communication but Alli and I both believed that it was meant to happen so that God can lead us to where we are now. And in all of this, our greatest achievement was our strong love for each other. We’ve been away for two years, met so many people but our hearts still chose one another.

Alli and Aunt Leona are busy preparing our afternoon snack while the boys(us) were enjoying each other’s company. Talking about business, music, and basketball.

“Have you seen Alli’s childhood photos?” Uncle Carlo suddenly asked.

I shake my head in response. “Not yet, but I love to see her childhood photos. I bet she’s still beautiful.”

“Of course. She’s our daughter.” Uncle Carlo said then he excuse himself to get Alli’s photo album.

Excitement is an understatement of what I am feeling right now when Uncle Carlo gave me Alli’s childhood photo album. I always wanted to know about Alli’s life that I missed.

As expected, Alli’s baby pictures are so cute. I could see her resemblance with Aunt Celine.

“Is this Aunt Celine and Uncle Gab?” I asked when I noticed one photo where Alli’s biological and adopted parents were in one frame.

Uncle Carlo nodded and smile. “Yes, it was Alli’s first month I think. My wife and I brought food to them to celebrate Alli’s one-month-old. We made sure to keep this photo, in case her biological parents find her and they asked for evidence.”

I nodded and continue to browse the photo album. My forehead creased when I saw my class picture in grade school. I browse the said photo and saw the girl who helped us with the bullies in our school. Then I checked the other photos of Alli in her grade school days.

My eyes widen when I confirmed that Alli and the girl who saves us looked the same. But how is this possible? Anne said that she was the girl who saves us before. Did Anne lie to me? Did she deceive me? For what?! Is Alli and the boys were right in their claims about Anne?! I felt betrayed! I don’t think I can forgive her for deceiving me!

“You studied in ISM?” I asked Alli when she was done with the afternoon snack.

I tried to compose myself because I don’t want Alli and her family to know what was going on in my mind. I will probably share this with Alli but I will not involve her parents in this issue.

“Yes, but not for long. I had to transfer because even though I’m a scholar in that school, it’s a bit far from our house, so I asked my parents and my sponsor if I could transfer to a nearby school.” Alli explained, still has no idea why I asked her that.

I’m confused because Alli doesn’t seem like remembering anything.

“Why? Is there a problem?” She asked when she noticed my confusion.

I ignored her question and asked this instead, “Do you have any memories of when you were still studying in ISM?”

“Not much. I only studied there for months, I did not even finish the whole school year.” Alli said still clueless about the situation.

“Are you sure? Maybe you saved a bunch of kids getting bullied by the higher level?” I asked a more specific question now begging her to remember.

Alli sighed aloud. “I’m not sure. But, wait? Saved a bunch of kids getting bullied? Like what happened to you and Lance?” She finally getting it.

I wanted to shout ‘Yes Alli! Yes! Now refresh your memory and try to remember our childhood memory, my love!’

“I-” Alli was about to answer when Uncle Carlo butted in.

“I think Andrew is referring to the classmates of yours. I remember that time when you asks us to extend your stay in that school because your classmates needed your help.” Uncle Carlo shared.

Thank you Uncle Carlo for having a sharp memory!

“What? Did I?” Alli asked her dad.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I shook my head. Baby is your memory that poor?! Then Alli’s eyes widen. Finally! I think she finally remember! Thank God! Alli looked at me and I smile at her.

“Finally, I found my real savior!”

I went to her and gave her a hug and a kiss on her forehead.

We were on our way to Alonzo’s mansion but our smile is still big. We can’t believe that the Allison who saved us when we were kids is the same Allison we knew.

“I want to see Lance’s reaction when he finds out that I am her savior! I will ask him a compensation!” Alli said with her evil laugh.

I just shook my head. Now, Alli finds a way to bully her cousin. She always complains to me about how annoying her cousin is.

“I’m glad that Uncle Carlo showed me your childhood photos or I will still be deceived by Anne.” I can’t help but share my frustration and anger with Alli.

I saw Alli’s forehead creased in my peripheral vision. “What do you mean?”

“Remember when you asked me why I always defended Anne whenever she has an issue with the group?” I asked to start with my main topic.

She nodded. “Yes, and I understand now.”

I shake my head. “No, Alli. You were right all along.”

“What do you mean?” She asked.

I stopped the car near their gate. I couldn’t wait to share my frustration with Alli.

“Anne deceived me! She made me believe that she was the Allison that saves me and Lance when we were in grade school.” I finally said it.

Alli’s eyes widen in shock. “What?!”

“I can’t believe she deceived me! I was a great friend to her! I always took her side even if you will be mad at me, I accepted her past without judging her! She had all her time to come clean but she never did! Maybe you are right, she did have an agenda in doing all of this! I will surely fire her!” I said in pure rage.

“No, Andrew! You can’t fire her yet.”