Started With The Rain (Montenegro series 3)

Chapter 16

(10 years later)

"Gusto kong bumalik ka na sa Pilipinas, Aeris," I wasn't listening to what Dad was saying. Wala na akong plano na bumalik pa sa Pilipinas.

Sampong taon na rin ang lumipas, halos wala na rin akong masyadong naaalala. Maliban na lang kay Asther at Gavin.

Sampong taon na nang huli ko silang makita. I miss Asther so much but every time I call the Philippines to talk to her, she always avoids me, I haven't even heard her voice.

Sila Mom at Dad lang ang umuuwi sa Pilipinas at hindi na ako sumama. Ang dami ko rin trabaho na maiiwan dito.

"Dad, wala akong plano na umuwi sa Pinas." I sighed. Since I got better, they've been trying to get me to go back to the Philippines just to see my sibling.

Tatlong taon lang ang inabot ay tuluyan na rin akong gumaling.

"Kahit bakasyon lang, Aeris. Gusto ko na kayo magkabati nang kapatid mo." Dad insisted.

He held my hand. May katandaan na rin sila.

"Bigyan n'yo ako ng tatlong taon lang at babalik na ako sa Pilipinas," I said.

He took a deep breath then smiled at me.

"Mabilis lang naman ang oras, kaya hindi rin mamalayan," he said.

Nagpaalam na rin ako na papasok ako sa kwarto ko. I lay down on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

Hindi naging madali ang pagpapagaling ko lalo't may naging malaking problema sa akin pero kinaya ko lahat ng 'yun.

I took a shower and quickly changed my clothes to fetch Theo from his school.

Mom has somewhere to go today, so she couldn't pick him up, that's why I was left to do it.

After getting ready, I went downstairs to ride the car. It's running fast today because there's no traffic.

I just waited at the gate until Theo came out.

"Theo!" I called out to him when I saw the kid.

He immediately ran to me and hugged me. I melted again in his gaze.

"Sabi mo bibilhan mo ako ngayon ng maraming laruan." His eyes looked sad.

I smiled and ruffled his hair.

"I've just been busy, but I'll buy you lots of toys today."

Sa sobrang tuwa niya, mas lalo niyang hinigpitan ang pagyakap. I took his things and placed them in the car. Bihira lang naman kami magkita ni Theo.

We entered the mall to buy some new clothes and toys for him. Hinayaan ko na lamang siya mamili.

I also bought some food for him kasi baka magutom ang bata. Lagot pa ako kay Mom kapag nalaman.

"Theo, wag kang lalayo sa akin," I reminded him. Sobrang kulit niya at palaging nawawala.

"Yes po, super thank you." I bent down for him to kiss my cheek.

"Good boy, Theo," I said, at hinayaan ko na ulit siya.

After we finished shopping, I invited him to play. I took a lot of pictures of him. Mabilis lang naman kasi agad din siyang napagod.

When we got to the car, he fell asleep right away while holding the airplane toy he bought.

I kissed his forehead before starting the car's engine.