Aliyah Yajaira Liwanag has been struggling with life ever since their family fell apart, kaya naman nang makatanggap siya ng offer mula sa isa sa pinakamayaman sa bansa na si Benedict Amadeo ay agad-agad niya itong tinanggap. Sino ba ang makakatangg...
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I did not get what he meant, but when I was able to catch up, my chest tightened. Hindi iyong paninikip na masakit, o iyong paninikip na para bang sinusumpa mo ang mga bagay-bagay sa paligid mo. My airways were blocked because of happiness, some tears of joy that are along the way. Ngayon ko masasabing hindi talaga ako nag-iisa.
"I want to be Andi's father, on paper," seryosong sabi ni Conrad habang mariin ang kaniyang tingin sa akin. He heaved a deep sigh before continuing. "The decision still lies with you, Ali. I just don't want her to grow up without a father figure. She deserves a good family, and I will help you give her that."
My mouth is a bit agape as I stare back at Conrad. Something was embracing my chest, making it hard for me to breathe.
It was overwhelming. I did not know what to say because I felt a thousand emotions all at once. All I could do was stare at him. But why?
Bakit niya gugustuhing maging ama ng isang batang hindi naman talaga kaniya? Bakit niya gugustuhing alagaan ang isang tulad kong binaboy na ng iba? What value do I hold that make me worthy of this?
Deserve ba namin ni Andi si Conrad?
"Sigurado ka na ba?" mahinang tanong ko sa kaniya.
"I have never been this sure in my entire life before, Aliyah," diretsong sagot naman nito.
He stood up from where he was sitting before he sat beside me on the bed.
"I am confident that I will not regret this, and I really want this Ali. Kung ayaw mo ay irerespeto ko naman," nakangiting sabi niya bago niya inipit sa likod ng aking tenga ang ilang ligaw na hibla ng aking buhok.
My tears were already at the edge. Hindi ko alam kung paano ba ako dapat magreact sa sinasabi ni Conrad.
"You can think about it. Hindi ko naman ipipilit," he continued, kissing the top of my head. "Magpahinga ka na. I will enable the baby monitor para kapag umiyak si Andi, I can help you," marahang pagpapatuloy niya pa.
"Dito ka na matulog. Malaki naman itong kama," I offered without really thinking about it.
Perhaps that is what happens when you feel safe around someone. You just let yourself become vulnerable in front of them. Kahit gaano mo pa itatag ang pader mo, kapag alam mong maasahan ang kasama mo, you are going to rely on them.
"No, I'll be okay in the other room," he replied with a gentle smile.
"Please? It might be hard for me to stand up, you know," I kind of teased. Totoo naman, medyo nahihirapan pa akong gumalaw.
Conrad sighed before he shook his head. Defeat was written all over his face. Napahagikgik naman ako dahil doon.
