Garden of Wounds (Panacea Series #1)

Chapter 39

I just have to worry about my unsolved problems with Zavion. My son, Atharv, is now concluding about the image of their father.

"Do not underestimate Atharv. He understands everything!" My voice raised while talking with Elaine and Kazuo. "Same with Archis! They will do everything to look for answers for their questions! Kung hindi nila 'yon makukuha sa atin, gagawa at gagawa ng paraan 'yong mga 'yon upang malaman nila ang katotohanan, lalong-lalo na si Gaddiel!"

"As much as I want to protect Atharv from the cruelty of the world and pain that he might get after finding out the truth, I can't because he has to accept it... that you were raped kaya lamang siya nabuo," Elaine responded casually. "His father was a rapist! Mabuti na lamang at hindi nagmana roon ang anak mo!"

Nasa likod kami ng mansion, sa hardin ni Lola. We were chilling and talking about random stuffs until Elaine started this topic. Huwag daw akong mangamba na nakita ni Atharv ang mga litrato ko kasama si Zavion dahil bata pa lang naman daw ito. Makakalimutan niya rin daw ito kinalaunan.

"Tahimik na bata si Gaddiel ngunit kapag nalaman niya na ang tatay ng kan'yang kapatid ay si Zavion na kan'yang tinitingala, hinding-hindi 'yon mananahimik. He's longing for a love of a Father..." Kazuo stated his opinion.

"Just give me more time..." I shut my eyes tightly and took a deep sigh. "Uunahin ko si Zavion. Sa kan'ya ko muna isasaliwalat ang lahat... p-para kapag hindi niya kayang tanggapin si Archis, hindi madidismaya ang anak ko."

"Elvira," Elaine called my name softly. "Pareho nating alam kung gaano kabaliw si Zavion sa 'yo. Ikaw lang 'tong natatakot... natatakot na baka husgahan ka ng iyong mahal dahil sa katotohanang nagahasa ka..."

I fell silent. Parang may natamaan sa aking loob-looban dahilan ng aking pagkatahimik.

"Face your fears, Elvi," Kazuo spoke. "And give Gaddiel and Hanniel the happiness that they deserve."

Are they encouraging me to spill out the truth?

Matagal kong inisip ang bagay na 'yon. Buong gabi, halos 'di ako pinatahimik ng aking isip. The memories that I had with Zavion kept me awake. The happy image of Atharv and Archis didn't let me sleep at night. They need a Father, not just a father figure, but their real Father... but what about Atharv? How would I explain him the truth?

Natampal ko ang aking noo at hinayaan kong dalawin ako ng antok noong gabing 'yon. When I woke up, I quickly took a shower. Out of nowhere, I feel nervous and I don't know why. My lips curved into a thin line and I shook my head to forget those things that are bugging me. Pagkatapos, dumiretso ako sa breakfast area at nakita kong kumpleto na sila roon.

"Good morning, Mama!" Archis, in his sweetest voice.

Archis reached for my cheek and kissed it repeatedly. Umarko ang aking kilay nang makita kong walang kibo ang aking panganay. Abala ito sa kan'yang pagkain at hindi man lang ako nito tinatapunan ng tingin. I sat down quietly on my seat, still looking at Atharv.

"Atharv..." I called his name softly. Doon lamang dumapo ang kan'yang tingin sa akin. "Are you done with your assignments? Do you need help?"

"I'm already done with it," he answered coldly.

Nagkatingin kami ni Kazuo. Nagkibit-balikat ako at nagsimula na lamang akong kumain.

After eating, I decided to bring my children into their school. Archis was shocked with my decision. Sinabihan ko ang kanilang driver na ako na muna ang maghahatid sa kanila kaya tuwang-tuwa si Archis. Paulit-ulit ako nitong hinalikan sa pisngi ngunit gano'n pa rin si Atharv, walang kibo kahit na nasa loob na kami ng kotse.