Stolen Time

Chapter 53

Jarred's POV

Byernes. Naging busy ang schedule ni Jarred. Mula lunes hanggang kahapon ay naging abala siya sa follow-up medical exam para sa susunod na pagsampa niya ng barko. Natapos naman niya ito at nagpapahinga na lang siya ngayon. Matapos nila sunduin si Keith noong linggo at maihatid niya sina Selena kinagabihan ay hindi na niya na ito nakita. Nakaka text niya lang ito minsan at nakikipag kumustahan rito. He missed both of them. And he wants to see them but he is not in the mood to go anywhere. He just watched movies all morning and sleep the entire afternoon.

"Sir, may naghahanap po sa inyo. Yung babae ulit nung nakaraang linggo. Andun sa labas."pukaw sa kanya ng maid. Nagtataka siya. Araw-araw na itong nagpunta simula noong lunes. Nakalimutan niya rin itong kontakin.

"Sige, susunod ako. Dalhan mo na lang siya ng merienda."

"Opo."anito at tumalikod para asikasuhin ang bisita.

Agad na nagbihis si Jarred at pinatay ang tv saka bumaba. Naabutan niya ang babae sa sala pero hindi nito ginagalaw ang pagkain na nakahanda. Agad itong tumayo nang makita siya.

"Hi. I am Hanna Madrigal. I would to speak with you for a very urgent matter."aniya at naglahad ng kamay. Maganda siya at mukhang mayaman.

"So I've heard. I had been busy for the last few days. Nakalimutan ko ring tawagan ka."aniya at iniabot ang kanyang kamay para makipag shake hands dito.

"That's ok. I wanted to make sure anyway that I can speak to you alone."

"Ok. What is it."

"Here. I wanted to show you this first."aniya at inilahad sa kanya ang isang brown envelope.

Binuksan ito ni Jarred at binasa ang papel na nasa loob. He was shocked and confused. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin dito.

"Let me enlighten you. Few years ago, we had a major problem financially ng aking ama. We were on the brink of losing everything. If not because of your sister, we would have not been able to recover from that crisis. She offered us a big amount of money to help us with our situation. But she asked one thing in return. And that is to forged the DNA test result of you and your son Keith. Hindi pumayag ang aking ama nung una Jarred pero after 2 weeks we have no choice but to accept her offer. I was about to finish my medical studies then, Jarred. We both could not afford losing that chance of me getting my degree. Pumayag ang aking ama na tanggaping ang pera na binigay niya at pineke niya and result. Ang unang ibinigay sayo ng iyong kapatid ay ang pekeng resulta."

"What?"sigaw ni Jarred at napatayo.

"You heard me right. That child is your son. After we got everything in control, I had you investigated and the child. Alam ko na darating ang araw na 'to. And I wanted to prepare for it. Sinadya ng ate mo ng itago ang identity ng bata hanggang sa matagpuan ko siya 2 years after. That's when I found out about Selena and that wonderful kid. I had a chance of talking to him sa mall kung nasaan ang boutique ni Selena. He is a bright and amazing kid."

"Don't you dare deceive me, Ms. Madrigal."singhal niya rito.

"I know it was a mistake, Jarred at naiintindihan ko ang galit mo. My father now is in comatose for almost 2 weeks. He attempted to talk to you sa Boracay pero pinigil siya ng ate mo."aniya.

Saka naalala ni Jarred and matanda na naka wheelchair na gusto siyang kausapin. That makes sense.

"Before he got into coma, he wanted to speak to you and confess. But your sister threatened both of us kaya siya inatake sa puso. You have to understand that this had been a burden for my father for the last 6years. He sacrificed everything for his daughter in return of someone else's son. But he could not bear it anymore. But if you see him now, binabawi na ng Panginoon ang ninakaw namin sa inyo. The time we have stolen from your family is now paid. My father is suffering but I know he would be in peace if worse comes to worst."anito a naluluhang mata.

"You know I could sue you for this, right?"

"I am fully aware of it. And I am willing to accept the consequences ng ginawa namin. If I have to lose my license as a doctor, I am willing to do it. If this would be how I can make it up, then let it be. My father is willing to give up his reputation. He is old anyway, what else can he lose?"

"We are taking about years you have taken away from us. My son has nothing to do with whatever your situation was. I have nothing to do with you all."

"I know Jarred. Kung ano man ang desisyon mo, handa naming tanggapin iyon ng aking ama."