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Kabanata 16

"REEV..." I didn't look back. Mas bumilis ang lakad patungo sa taxi at pumasok bago pa niya 'ko abutan.

"Reev! Don't leave me!" I closed my eyes when Caspian knocked on my window. Basang-basa siya ng ulan at umiiyak roon sa labas.

"K-Kuya pakidiretso na po,"

The driver hesitated, napasulyap siya sa akin pabalik sa lalaking kumakatok sa labas.

"M-Ma'am, 'yong lalaki po–"

"Don't mind him, let's go," ulit ko at pinaandar niya ang sasakyan.

"R-Reev! N-nagmamakaawa ako!" He knocked desperately but the cab started moving.

"R-Reev, no! Reev! Please!" He exclaimed and to my shock, he ran after the taxi, desperately calling, begging.

Bumilis ang takbo ng sasakyan hanggang sa nawala ang boses niyang nagmamakaawa. That's when I couldn't stop myself from looking back and saw him.

He's watching the taxi fade while kneeling in the middle of the road, soaked in rain.

Gabi na nang makauwi ako. Nagulat si Amy pero 'di nagtanong sa itsura ko. She handed me a towel and informed Riu's already sleeping.

Umakyat ako at naabutan ang aso ko na nakahiga sa may taas ng hagdan.

The moment he heard my footsteps, he rose, barking, his tail wagging.

I caressed his fur.

"Quiet, Cas. Baka magising si Riu," I said softly. He stopped barking, iniangat ang paa sa hita ko, tila naiintindihan ang nararamdaman ko.

I smiled sadly.

"Thank you for staying with me, Cas," I hummed.

He watched me and I melted when he moved his head to lick my face.

"Oh, I'm alright, baby." I stroked his fur. "Everything will be alright."

When I got to the shower, another batch of tears escaped.

He fooled me. He betrayed me. He tainted the man I thought was real in the past.

He broke his promises.

Gumaan lang ang pakiramdam ko kahit papaano nang makita ang pamangkin na malalim ang tulog, malikot sa kama. I smiled and sat beside him, brushing his lustrous hair.

I really have a soft spot for this little star, kahit no'ng una pa lang. Probably maybe because I'm unknowingly longing for my son.

I embraced Riu's waist and cried.

A mother's greatest fear and heartbreak is to lose her child.

Sirius moved. I panicked, worrying I woke him up.

Umikot siya paharap sa 'kin, ang berdeng mga mata'y inaantok pa.

"Baby, I'm sorry,"

"Mimi?"

"Oh, baby. Sorry, sleep ka ulit," I said, tapping his leg but he remained looking at me.

"Mimi, iyak po ikaw?"

I smiled and shook my head, inabot ko ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko at hinalikan.

"M-Mimi, don't cry po, Sirius will be sad if Mimi is sad."

"Wala, baby ko. May naisip lang si Mimi."

"Who po? Who made you cry po? Suntok ko siya, Mimi!" He exclaimed, buhay na buhay.

That made me smile, ginulo ko ang buhok niya at hinalikan ang noo niya.

"No one, baby ko. I just remembered my other baby, kasing edad mo kasi, Riu."

"Y-you have another baby than Sirius?" He asked, startled.

"Yes, baby, but he's... one of the stars now."

His lips protruded, nalungkot ang mga mata niya at kinagat ang labi niya.

"S-sowi po, Mimi..." He whispered.

"Don't be sorry. I love you, Riu."

"Ako na lang po baby n'yo, Mimi Lars?" He asked as hope sparked in his green eyes. "Like real baby po? K-kunwari po galing po ako sa tummy n'yo tapos baby mo na ako para 'di ka na sad?"

"O-of course, Sirius. You're my baby." Mas naluha ako. "Sobrang love na love kita, little star."

Bumilog ang bibig niya at tumango, isinisiksik ang mukha sa leeg ko.

"Sirius loves Mimi Lars so much! Kapag po sad ikaw, I will always make you happy Mimi ko!"

"I love you too, anak," I hummed.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

KINABUKASAN, ayoko man umalis ay kailangan dahil sa trabaho. However, the moment I stepped out of my house, I saw the man I'd been avoiding standing in front of the gate.

Sa gulat pa ay napaatras ako nang makita siyang nakasandal sa traysikel niya at nakapikit.

He looked exhausted and sick. Namumula ang labi niya't tila kinagat nang paulit-ulit. He was wearing a white shirt and maong jeans.

Hindi ako umimik, napamulat lang siya nang tumunog ang gate sa pagsara ko at nagkatinginan.

"R-Reev," he cleared his throat. "Good morning..."

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?" I scoffed.

"I-ihahatid lang kita," aniya.

"For?" I shot my brow up, annoyed.

"Medyo traffic kasi sa may labasan kaya baka ma-late ka. Kung gusto mo sakay ka na..." He motioned his tricycle.

"No, thanks. I can handle myself well, Mr. Alcantara."

"B-but you can..."

"Stop pretending." I sighed exasperatedly. "Go back to your old life, you don't need to pretend again to fool me."

Umiling siya. "I just want to get you to work, nag-aalala lang ako–"

"Sana noon, naisip mong mag-alala," those words came out like acid before I could even stop myself. Pain flickered in his eyes. Nag-iwas ako at naglakad palayo.

I paused when the familiar warmth of his arm claimed me again from the back. Iritadong napabuga ko ng hangin at pilit na inalis ang braso niya pero 'di magawa.

"S-sorry, Reev," he whispered. "I'm begging you..."

"We're done, Caspian. Ilang taon na tayong tapos,"

He shook his head, ibinaba niya ang ulo sa leeg ko at suminghap.

"S-sasabihin ko naman. Natakot lang ako," he explained. "Natatakot akong magalit ka..."

"There's no difference, ngayong nalaman ko na. We're fucking done, okay? You let go of us. Not me."

"I love you," he breathed. "I was mad. I thought you played with me, cheated on me."

"Then, fine. Okay, I understand. Happy now?" I sighed. "Tapos na 'yon, wala nang babalikan. Let's just fucking move on–"

"Ayaw ko..." Nanginig ang boses niya. "A-ayaw ko, Reev. Sorry, please."

"Let me go," mariing sikmat ko. "Hindi na kita mahal, matagal na. Wake up, hindi lahat ng bagay p'wede mong maayos sa isang sorry lang."

"T-then, I'll work hard for it," he whispered, determined. "Mahalin mo lang ako ulit, gagawin ko lahat."

"Tama na. Pinapahirapan lang natin ang sarili natin."

"Pero susubukan ko," pilit niya. "You taught me to never give things up easily so, I want to prove to you I learned."

"But you gave us up, me and your son that easily. Now, tell me if you really learned." Sumbat ko at nang nanghina ang hawak niya'y tinulak ko na ang braso niya paalis.

I faced him, looking at him in the eye.

"Give up, Cas. Heartbreaks are often just a lesson. Maybe we weren't destined in your life, baka aral lang kami ni Castor na dapat mong matutunan para sa susunod na magmamahal ka ulit... alam mo na."

Heartless, yes, but I left him weeping in the streets.

That day and the next ones, I worked harder. May request kasi akong bakasyon for approval.

"Lars, what will you do during your one-month vacation?" Pearl asked.

"Hmm, I don't know." I chuckled. "Magpapahinga sa bahay? Aalagaan si Riu?"

"Ang boring!" She scoffed. "Minsan lang 'to kaya sulitin mo, ang boring kapag sa bahay ka lang!"

"Saan ba p'wede? Suggestions?"

"Isip ka, 'yong hindi ka mabobored," aniya kaya natigilan ako't may lugar na sumagi sa utak.

My face brightened.

It's been a while since I've been there! Baka marami nang bago! It's also a great place to unwind!

"Lost Island," I answered, my smile wide. "I'll go there."

"Wow!" She exclaimed, tila naiinggit sa akin. "Pangarap ko makapunta roon, Lars! Kainggit ka naman!"

Natigil lang kami sa pag-uusap nang lumapit sa akin si Monique habang may hawak na paperbag.

"Lars, may nagpapabigay," aniya't inabot sa 'kin 'yon. Sinilip ko't natakam nang matantong tupperware na may ulam at kanin 'yon!

Adobong baboy and tokwa! May broccoli rin at fresh orange juice! Umangat ang tingin ko sa dalawa.

"Ang sarap naman niyan!" ani Pearl.

"Sino ang nagbigay?" I asked.

"Oh, si Fafa pogi. 'yong si Caspian mo, inferness! Naka Bugatti ngayon!" She giggled excitedly.

Kumunot ang noo ko at nagutom man ay isinawalang bahala ko iyon. Inabot ko ang paperbag kay Monique.

"Give it back to him, sabihin mo wala akong gana kainin ang niluto niya,"

They both stopped and stared at me.

"LQ?" ai Pearl.

"No. Ayoko lang." Ngumiti ako ng maliit at hindi na nagsalita.

Monique went outside to give the paperbag back pero wala pang ilang minuto ay bumalik ulit siya bitbit iyon at inilapag sa mesa ko.

"Eat it, tell her, I don't want her starving." She mimicked. "Ayan, pinapasabi ng bebe mo."

Ngumuso ako at kumunot ang noo.

"Balik mo, pakisabi kamo, wala akong pakialam sa kanya, kainin niya mag-isa niya."

She nodded, bitbit ang paperbag ay lumabas pero muli na namang pumasok at ngumuso.

"Sabi niya, patawarin mo na raw siya. Give him another chance, gagawin daw niya lahat para kausapin at labasin mo raw,"

Tumikwas ang kilay ko.

"Then tell him to fuck off, kahit bumuga siya ng apoy at umapak sa bubog, hinding-hindi ko siya haharapin," iritado kong sikmat.

Lumabas siya. Tumitig ako sa chart ng pasyente ko at nang bumalik na naman siya.

"Sabi niya, sige daw. Papaturo daw muna siya do'n sa magician sa kanila."

My eyes widened.

"Pakisabi–"

"Pagod na ako, Polaris!" Nanlaki ang butas ng ilong niya. "Bruha ka, ano ako, human messenger?"

Napahalakhak ako kasabay ni Pearl nang matanto. Nakasimangot siya, masama ang tingin kaya natatawang hinawakan ko siya paupo.

"Joke lang, Niq." I smiled and laughed. "Sorry na, sorry na." Kinuha ko ang paperbag at nilapag sa desk.

"Sige na, hatian n'yo mamaya 'yong pagkain. Busog ako, eh,"

Pagkatapos ang shift ay lumabas ako, desididong pagsabihan si Caspian tungkol sa pagpapadala ng ganito pero nakita ko sila ni Cheska.

Bumigat ang hakbang ko. Cheska was holding his arm while his jawsd clenched. He pulled away from her. Bahagya akong nagtago.

"Leave me the fuck alone," Caspian's annoyed voice echoed.

"But Caspian! Polaris is just a passing fancy to you, right? Ako pa rin naman, 'di ba?! She cheated on you! Malandi iyon! Dapat nga at 'di na nakaligtas! She killed your son–"

I gasped when I saw how Caspian's palm landed on Cheska's cheeks. Umawang ang labi ko roon at maya-maya pa'y umiiyak na si Cheska habang hawak ang pisngi niya.

"Touch my family again and I'll kill you this time," rage was very imminent in his voice. "I won't let the police handle you. I don't care what your family will do. I'll make sure I'll do it worse,"

Cheska was still shocked, she couldn't believe it.

"Don't you dare touch Reev. Ako ang makakalaban mo," he threatened.

Napaatras ako. Wala sa sariling umuwi mag-isa at 'di na nagpakita kay Caspian.

The scene still won't slip my hand. He slapped Cheska!

Akala ko ba... mahal niya 'yon?

I bit my lip and shrugged it off. Pakialam ko ba? I'm moving forward without them. My priority now is Riu, to unwind and find justice for my son.

Saan ako magsisimula?

My phone was bombarded with Caspian's calls and messages, asking my whereabouts. I only told him I was on my way home and for him to leave me alone.

Riu was asking about his Papa Caspian. Ayaw ko namang sabihin ang nangyari kaya nagpalusot na lang akong abala siya sa trabaho.

Maganda naman kahit papaano ang tulog ko no'ng gabi at naaprobahan ang immediate leave request ko sa management. Iniunat ko ang kamay, expecting to find Riu beside me but he wasn't there anymore.

My forehead creased. It's only seven in the morning! So why?

I heard a knock on my door's room. Binuksan ko 'yon.

"Ay, Ma'am, morning po," ani Amy.

"Morning," I smiled. "Si Riu?"

"Ay, nasa baba po, Ma'am," aniya. "Nga pala, Ma'am, anong uulamin natin ngayong umaga?"

"Fish," I said. "Ang alam ko, may naglalako ng sariwang isda d'yan tuwing umaga. Abang lang kayo, puro kasi tayo karne kaya isda naman."

"Sige, Ma'am." Tumango siya at umalis.

When she left, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Nag-ipit ako ng buhok at inayos ang pagkakatali ng roba bago lumabas.

Pababa na 'ko nang salubungin ako ni Amy.

"Ay, Ma'am! May nagbebenta na po ng isda sa labas!"

"Good, may pera doon sa may counter sa kitchen para sa agahan. Do'n ka na lang kumuha," I informed pero umiling siya.

"Hindi, Ma'am. Okay na 'yong bayad, uhm, kasi... gusto no'ng tindero na ikaw mamili ng isda."

"Huh? Bakit 'di ikaw? You know how to choose fresh fish, right?"

"Opo! Kaso... ikaw daw po ang mamili para walang problem."

I nodded, I found it weird but I followed Amy. Nakahalukipkip ako habang naglalakad palabas ng gate at nakayapos ang kulay pulang seda na roba sa katawan.

My lips parted Sirius smiling outside the gate, nagdadaldal iyon at tuwang-tuwa kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

"Amy, bakit mo iniwan sa labas si Riu? Paano kung mawala 'yan?" I asked her but she smiled and shook her head.

"Ay, Ma'am, hindi po 'yan mawawala panigurado."

Napailing ako, pagkalabas sa gate ay kaagad na napabaling sa akin si Riu at yumakap sa baywang ko.

"Mimi! Fish!" He pointed to the basin with fish and ice.

Hindi ko pinansin ang nagtitinda, ang pansin ay nasa kariton ng isda.

May tumikhim.

"Morning, Reev." A husky, baritone voice greeted.

Napatalon ako sa gulat, ang panga ay nahulog nang makita si Caspian na suot ang kulang itim na shirt at khaki shorts. Nakatsinelas. May nakasabit pang puting tuwalya sa balikat!

What in the...

"A-anong..." Mula sa kanya ay bumaba ang tingin ko sa kariton bago sa kanya muli.

"I went fishing earlier and thought of going here to sell fish," aniya na parang parte na iyon ng araw niya.

Sirius giggled, tuwang-tuwa. Miski si Amy ay namumula!

"Mimi! Papa visited us!" Sirius exclaimed happily and went to Caspian to hold his hand.

I blinked when Caspian carried him in his one arm.

"Pili ka na, Reev." He pointed to the fish and smiled before kissing Riu's cheeks.

What the fuck is this man doing?! From driver to fisherman! Fuck?

Tumikhim ako, pilit na pinipigilan ang sariling awayin siya at may bata! Tumungo ako para magkunwaring tumitingin ng isda.

I stopped when I felt Caspian's hands on my chest, I was about to slap him when I realized he was fixing my exposed cleavage.

"Don't lean to much, makakasuntok ako ng tambay, Reev."

Umirap ako.

Muli akong sumulyap sa mga isda at maya-maya'y tumayo.

"Ayoko nito, hindi fresh," reklamo ko.

"Huh?" He's confused. "It's fresh, I went fishing first hand, huli ko 'yan so..."

"Pula nga 'yong mata!" I pointed the fish with imaginary red eyes kahit wala! "Ayoko, gumamit ka ng dynamite to get this."

"No!" Umiling siya. "I promise, kakahuli ko lang kaninang umaga! Four pa lang nasa laot na 'ko–"

"Ay, pogi! Pabili naman ng isda mo!" Nagulantang ako nang lumapit ang mga bisita ng kapitbahay at nakiusyoso sa isda ni gago.

"Huh? Uhm, the fish is for Reev..." He looked at me.

"Ang dami nito, gwapo! Pabili kami!"

"Oh, okay." Caspian nodded, confused.

"English spokening pa! Sarap naman!" Tumikwas ang kilay ko sa side comments no'ng iba! Kay aga-aga, nagmamarites na ba ang mga taong 'to rito?!

"Kapag bumili ba kami niyan, p'wede namin makuha ang pangalan mo?"

"Uhm..." Napakamot sa ulo si Caspian at sumulyap sa akin, humihingi ng rescue.

"Pati number!" They giggled. Mas dumami pa ang tao para makisilip sa kariton niyang may props pang mga gulay! May timbangan pa ang hinayupak!

"Isang date, pakyawin ko na lahat ng isda?" Biro no'ng maharot na kapitbahay kaya naputol na ang pisi ko.

"Hindi 'yan fresh! Bilasa 'yang isda!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs.

Natahimik sila, nang humarap ako kay Caspian ay kumukurap silang dalawa sa akin ni Riu.

I was annoyed of their resemblance kaya binuhat ko si Riu paagaw sa kanya.

"Makapag-karne na nga lang!" Malakas kong parinig habang buhat si Riu at nagdabog papasok sa bahay.