Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 17
Kabanata 17
"KAILAN ka ba titigil kakapeste sa 'kin, Alcantara?" Mariing bulong ko kay Caspian na katabi ko.
"Hanggang sa magsawa ka na at patawarin ako." He smiled cutely.
Nangunot ang noo ko't tumikwas lalo ang kilay.
"Get out," I scoffed.
"Can't, babe. Riu wanted me to stay." He pointed to the kid on the couch.
"Jerk," I hissed, annoyed. I had no choice.
I sighed and brushed my hair. He leaned in.
"I love you, Reev," he whispered.
"Tama na, Caspian." Nilingon ko na siya. "H'wag na tayong maglokohan. 'Di na 'ko naniniwala sa mga kasinungalingan mo. I don't want a love so shallow."
I turned my back on him and walked towards Riu's direction.
"Riu," I called. He glanced at me, his green eyes twinkling. "Anong gusto mong ulam, baby ko?" I caressed his soft, chubby cheeks.
"Hmm, 'yong fish po ni Papa!" He beamed. "Mimi, masaya po ba mag-fish?"
What? I cleared my throat.
"Uhm, yes." I smiled.
"I want to be a fisherman po when I grow up just like Papa!" He cheered, sabay lingon kay Caspian na naupo sa tabi niya pagkatapos magulo ang buhok niya.
I almost rolled my eyes when Caspian grinned.
"I'll let you do what you like when you grow up, Riu," I told Riu.
"I want to be like Papa po, Mimi!" he said with enthusiasm to Caspian looking at us, his gaze gentle.
"Really, little boy?" Masuyong tanong nito.
"Opo, Papa!"
"Papa is an asshole, don't be like him," I whispered more to myself but they both looked my way.
Riu is confused and Caspian is pouting.
"You're mean, Reev," he sulked.
"Ano po 'yon, Mimi?" Sirius asked curiously.
Umirap ako kay Caspian at bumaling kay Riu.
"Nothing, baby." I smiled softly. "Don't mind me."
Sirius nodded, no thoughts but pure innocence in his eyes. Si Caspian ay kinagat ang labi, nag-uungot at nagpapaawa pa ata sa 'kin. Inirapan ko at tumayo.
"I'll let you manage a hotel, Riu," ani Caspian na excited.
Napailing ako.
"Howtel po? 'Yong kagaya po sa movies?"
"Yep but more than just the movies," bida niya.
Pagkadiretso ko sa kusina ay mas tumaas lang ang altapresyon ko pagkakita sa banyera ng isda.
Matapos kasi ng bentahan scene niya ay ang huli, ibinigay niya rin sa akin lahat. Amy received everything, ayoko na rin sana papasukin pa ulit dito pero gusto ni Riu. Ayaw ko namang maalis ang tuwa sa mukha ng pamangkin.
"Ma'am, anong gagawin nating luto?" Amy asked.
"Sabawan na lang tapos prituhin ang iba. 'Di naman natin mauubos, i-ref na lang ang tira."
My phone rang. When I got out, the two boys were playing with the dog. Nasa lapag silang lahat, wala nang pakialam sa labas at may sarili nang mundo.
I sighed and answered Dad's call.
"Anak, kumusta?" I heard the hesitation in his voice.
"What is it, dad?" bulong ko, wala pang ganang makipag-usap sa kanya.
He knew it. "I'm really sorry, darling. I know it was not enough reason that I hid Castor from you because I didn't want you to be stressed. Kakagaling mo lang sa coma–"
"And what? Remain clueless about my son? Wala na nga akong nagawa no'ng kailangan niya ako, Dad? Tapos no'ng wala na siya, wala na rin ba siyang karapatan na maipagluksa ko? Na makilala ko?"
"I-I just want you to be safe, anak," he whispered.
"Safe from what?! For Pete's sake, my son died because of me! Ano pa bang dahilan para hindi ako maging ligtas?!"
"H-hindi mo kasalanan, Lars." My father insisted. "Never, anak. Walang gusto na mangyari iyon."
"K-kaya nga kahit maipagluksa ko man lang..." My sobs slipped.
"I-I did everything I could to keep Castor alive," he whispered sadly. "B-but I failed... I'm so sorry, anak. Ako ang dapat sisihin mo sa nangyari, 'di ikaw. N-nadamay ka lang."
Dad listened as I cried and as soon as my sobs stopped and calmed down, he spoke.
"I called because I want to offer you an explanation of what happened."
My forehead creased. "What do you mean?"
"The men who did that to you, they're after me," aniya. "I'm not sure if you remember but there's a company I've invested in. It was promising. The Estradas owned it so I... I trusted it."
"Estradas?"
"The politician?" aniya. "You know I love investing, Lars. I'm good at it but I couldn't believe that would be my downfall. I trusted them and then a few months later, they're insisting I embezzled the funds. I fought the case and won it. I was found innocent."
"Yes, and?"
"They couldn't accept it so for everyone's safety, I flew to Greece. Para lang magpalamig. I thought it was the best I could do but no... they involved you. I know those men were from them."
Napapikit ako't nahilot ang sentido.
"Estrada. Is Cheska Estrada the politician's daughter?"
Natahimik siya. "Yes, how do you know–"
"This is probably a targeted attack on us, Dad. Not just because of you. Cheska Estrada is Caspian's obsessive ex."
"What the fuck? It was that bastard's ex?" He cursed. "That motherfucker! Hindi ako pinatahimik niyan kakahanap sa 'yo!"
My heart made a painful jump.
"Ang kulit-kulit! He was following me around, pestering me like a leech! Hirap na hirap akong itago ang kalagayan mo noon! Nahirapan akong itago ka–" I cut him off before he could say more.
I don't need to hear more about what he did. Ayoko.
"This should be investigated, right?"
"It's always denied, anak." He sighed. "I can't get through, kahit anong husay ng abogado ay hindi makalusot. Ngayon, sumusubok ako ulit."
"Let me help," I insisted. "I want justice for my son."
"Let me, Lars," he breathed. "Someone's helping me. I know we can do this."
"Who?" I asked. "It's long overdue, Dad. I can help–"
"Please, trust me," he muttered. "Pangako, gagawin ko ang lahat. Ako ang may kasalanan ng lahat ng 'to. Ako ang mag-aayos. I promise I will give you and my grandson justice."
I sighed and nodded.
"Update me of the progress. Ask for my help, please. Ayaw ko nang may itinatago ka sa 'kin."
"How's Sirius?" He asked.
"Great," I answered. "He'll start going to school next week."
"How is he, Lars? He... likes you?" aniya, bakas ang pag-aalangan sa boses.
"Yes, he's a great kid," I murmured.
"Then... you? Do you like him?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes," I said. "I love that kid, he's like a beacon of light when it's dark. He's a star. Para ko na rin siyang anak."
Biglang naubo si Daddy, kumunot naman ang noo ko at nagsalita.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes," He coughed. "Nasaan siya ngayon?"
"Uhm..." I cleared my throat. "Watching TV, with Caspian."
Nagitla ako nang mas maubo siya, tila nabibilaukan na.
"Dad!" I exclaimed. "Are you fine?"
"Y-yes, yes..." He coughed. "I'm sorry, I-I'm just..." He coughed again.
"Uminom ka ng tubig!"
"H-he's in your house?" he asked.
"Well, unfortunately," matabang kong sinabi.
"That smartass," he scoffed. "I told him to stay away from you!"
"You knew he's seeing me?" Namilog ang mata ko.
"Just a month ago." He sighed. "Nagpapaalam ang gago, damn, I told him to just fuck off! Kaya ayaw kitang pabalikin d'yan at parang giraffe ang gago na 'yan! Hindi ako pinatahimik kakahanap sa 'yo! May mga imbestigador pang binayaran kapag 'di niya ako masundan! Bobo lang siya kasi magaling akong magtago–"
"Then maybe, you weren't that good," I emphasized. "Kasi hello? Namemeste sa bahay ang baliw. Alam mo bang nagpanggap siyang tricycle driver para maihatid ako? Tapos naglalako siya ng isda kanina?"
Umugong ang tawa niya.
"Anak ng..."
"Maybe it's time you help me hide willingly this time," I scoffed. "Nakakairita ang isang 'yon. Alam na pala niyang wala ang anak namin tapos nagpanggap pa ring walang alam? He lied about knowing me first and then..."
"He only recently found out about what happened to Castor, too," aniya. "I hid everything from him. Like you. The investigator I hired is good. Hindi makakuha si Alcantara ng tiyempo masilip ang buhay mo... at ang nangyari sa inyong mag-ina niya. He's a pain in the ass but I've seen his struggles to find you. Nabalitaan ko ngang–"
"Ayoko nang pag-usapan. I'm done with that asshole."
He sighed. "A-alright. Uh, anyway. Any plans for your month-long vacation? Saan ka?"
"Lost Island,"
"Alright, enjoy, darling. Kukunin ko muna sa ngayon si Sirius,"
I stiffened.
"W-why? Hindi... na siya dito sa bahay ko?"
"No, hindi sa gano'n, Lars," aniya. "I can't risk him being alone in your house."
"I will bring him with me," I insisted.
"No, hindi gano'n kadali iyon. You can't bring him anywhere out of my reach. It's dangerous, Lars. Lalo na't kapag kasama mo siya."
Nangunot ang noo kong lalo.
"How can you protect us when you're far away from home? Dad, nasaan ka?"
"I'm just here," aniya. "I'm working with our new lawyer for this case. I need to be with Sirius. Susunduin ko siya bukas. If you bring him to the island, that's out of my reach."
I sighed. "I'll be alright there, then. It's a private island."
"I know. And I'm sure that bastard would keep you safe."
He bid his goodbye. Pagpasok ko ng living room ay nagtaka ko nang 'di sila makita ro'n.
Nakarinig ako ng ingay sa kusina, sa pagpasok ko ay sinalubong ako ni Amy.
"Ay, Ma'am, tumutulo po 'yong lababo," she informed kaya lumapit ako't napaatras sa gulat sa nakita.
Under our sink is the jerk, Caspian.
"What?" Napatingin ako kay Amy na ngumisi at tinuro si Caspian.
"Ay, Ma'am. Marunong daw po siyang mag-ayos ng lababo," aniya.
Nasapo ko ang noo at lumapit. I softly kicked Caspian's feet kaya napasilip siya mula sa ilalim papunta sa akin.
"Bakit, mahal?" He asked.
My forehead creased, humagikhik naman si Amy at namula habang seryoso si Riu sa tabi ni Caspian at nakadukwang para iabot ang mga gamit na kailangan nito.
"Ano na namang trabaho mo?"
"Huh?" Napaisip siya pero mamaya ay napangiti. "I'm a plumber now,"
Seriously, a rich hotelier is fixing my sink! Ano na namang trip nito?
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Alcantara!" Nasabunutan ko ang buhok at tinalikuran siya. He chuckled.
"Did it impress you, Reev?" He exclaimed.
"Get out of my house and I'll be impressed," iritang sabi ko at dumiretso sa may hapag.
"Riu, leave that plumber there! Eat!" I called my star's attention na tumakbo palapit.
"Mimi, I want to be a plumber too!" He exclaimed at nasapo ko ang noo ko nang marinig ang halakhak ni Caspian.
"Nice one, pare! Tara dito, turuan kita maglagay ng pantapal," anyaya pa niya kaya bibom tumakbo pabalik si Riu sa kanya.
"Caspian!" I screamed. "Lumayas ka sa bahay ko!"
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
MALUNGKOT ako nang sunduin ni dad si Riu sa bahay. He was sad too but he almost missed his Lolo kaya wala naman siyang reklamo nang kunin siya mula sa 'kin.
I promised I'd be back very soon and as I watched him waving from the car as it drove away from us, my heart sank, nabuo ang desisyon ko.
Riu will stay with me. I can't let him go anymore.
Sa pagbalik ko, aasikasuhin ko na ang adoption papers niya. I'd love to adopt Riu and finally, I could be his mom.
I booked a tour for a trip for the island later tonight but first, I visited my son. I brought flowers and toys pero nasa gate pa lang ng mausoleum ay natigilan na 'ko pagkakita sa naroon.
It was him, wearing his usual armani suit. Pormal na pormal pero nakasalmpak ng upo sa sahig at kausap ang anak.
"Ayan na Castor, magbabanggaan na 'yong kotse!" He lifted the toy car and the other toy in his other hand until they met halfway.
"Bang! Aww, natalo ng car ni Castor si Papa!" He exclaimed.
"Ayan, isa pa!" Muli niyang iniangat ang kotse at nilaro bago nagkabangaan muli.
"Ouch! Papa is so weak! Talo mo ulit ako?" He shook his head. "Ang galing naman ng anak ko!"
My heart sank. I could hear pain, sorrow, and longing in his voice but he was masking it with his smile and chuckles.
Maya-maya'y ibinaba ang kotse bago humugot ng hininga at hinaplos ang lapida ng anak.
"High five si Papa, anak!" He tapped the tomb and smiled.
That's when I cleared my throat and entered the place.
"Reev!" Gulat niyang tawag at umayos ng upo.
Hindi ako umimik, tahimik na nagtungo sa mommy ko at sa anak ko at inilapag ang mga rosas katabi ng mga sunflowers na mukhang dala niya para sa kanila.
Caspian stayed quiet and let me find my peace as I uttered prayers for my Mom and son.
"Are you from work?" Pagbaling ko sa kanya nang mapansin ang paninitig niya.
"Yeah. I'm from a meeting. Dumiretso ako rito, dinalhan ko si Tita at ang anak natin..."
I bit my lip and didn't answer. Hinaplos ko ang lapida ng anak.
"At least he got the name we want for him," I whispered.
"He's one of the stars now," he breathed. "He's watching us every night."
"I think so," I muttered.
"Thank you, Reev." Napabaling ako sa kanya. "For being strong, for holding on."
"I'm not strong, Cas." Ngumiti ako ng malungkot. "K-kasi kung malakas ako, e 'di sana buhay pa si Castor."
Mas namungay ang mga mata niya. Dagli siyang nag-iwas nang may kumawalang luha ro'n. Marahas niyang pinunasan 'yon.
"I-I'm so sorry," he rasped. "I'm so sorry, Reev. T-this is all my fault. I'm s-so sorry."
"If only apologies can take the time back. If it could only right the wrongs and find again what we've lost but..." Umiling ako.
"I know," he agreed. "Ang gago ko, Reev. Nagpadala ako sa emosyon. I-I blindly believed it. I thought you were cheating. I-I've seen a video when he's kissing you in the bar."
"M-may video?" Lumalim ang gatla sa noo ko.
He nodded weakly, his eyes still bloodshot. "Likod mo lang ang kita ko p-pero kilala kita, kahit likod mo kabisado ko. You're wearing the dress I gifted you."
"I'm sorry, too," I whispered. "I was at fault too for joining them there. I didn't expect he'd do that. I thought we're good friends."
"It's not your fault," agap niya. "He drugged you and took advantage of you but my mind wasn't there. I had a bad past trauma with cheating, I blacked out and didn't think better of the situation. I accused you,"
"You should at least let me explain," I sighed. "Sana naman hindi mo kami itinaboy ng gano'n kadali ng anak mo."
"I-I know..." He nodded. "I'm sorry. I-I should've known better. I'm so sorry, Reev."
'Di ko na naiwasang maging emosyonal sa pagsusumamo't pagsisisi sa boses niya.
"It just hurt me so badly, Cas. I thought it would be the greatest news you'd ever hear. I just found out that same day, n-na may Castor tayo. Anniversary gift ko sa 'yo ang balita..."
Tumango siya at mas tumungo, tinatanggap ang lahat-lahat.
"I called you for help. Maybe a part of me still believed you'd come to find me, kahit galit ka. Kasi sabi ko, si Caspian 'yon, e. Kahit galit 'yon, mahal ako no'n. S-susundan ako no'n. 'Di nga no'n kayang matulog kapag magkagalit kami, ngayon pa k-kayang ganito?"
He lowered his head in shame. Itinukod niya ang tuhod at bahagyang lumuhod.
"We promised the stars, Cas. Umasa 'kong 'di iyon mapapako, mga bituin na 'yon, e. Alam mong pinapahalagahan ko 'yon pero ano pa nga ba't kung ang pangako sa bituin, 'di natutupad, ang mga pangako mo pa kaya?"
"R-Reev..."
"I've accepted that I wasn't your star, Cas. We weren't your stars. We're just a speck of dust in your life, daraan pero kaya mong mawala kapag ayaw mo na."
"Hindi gano'n, Reev. M-mahal kita, mahal na mahal ko kayo," marahas siyang umiling. "I accept if you doubt everything but not my love for you and our son. M-mahal ko kayo, h'wag kang magsalita ng ganyan. Mahal ko kayo. Babawi ako, s-sabihin mo lang, gagawin ko lahat para maayos–"
"You can straighten a crumpled paper but it will never be the same, Cas,"
He sniffed, nanginginig na ang balikat at pinagsaklop na ang kamay para sa pagmamakaawa.
"I-Isa pa," he pleaded desperately. "I-isang tiyansa na lang, Reev. H-hindi na ako magkakamali."
"Natatakot ako," I confessed.
"H-hindi na ako gagawa ng ikasisira–"
"I am not afraid of the chance," I said. "I was just too afraid to be hurt for the same reason."
"R-Reev," he begged.
I shook my head and smiled.
"N-no?" his voice broke.
"I'm sorry,"
"I-isa pa... I beg of you..."
"Maybe the stars weren't aligned for us, Cas," I concluded. "Maybe they were just destined to meet halfway... but never to cross each other."
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