My Only Exception

Chapter 11

He took a deep breath. "Raffy, nasaktan ako sa nangyari sa atin. You left me here despite my pleas. The next thing I know, you have a son with my brother. Hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ang iisipin ko."

"You're a hopeless case, Ethan," she said. "I'm done with you. I would stop working with you. I'll talk to Art, I'll talk to Albert. Iwasan na lang natin na magtagpo tayo. If our paths cross, let us both think we do not know each other."

"No. Iniwan mo na ako dati. Hindi mo na ako pwedeng talikuran basta basta," he said.

"Ano ba talagang gusto mo?! Pupunta ka dito pero susumbatan mo ako! Umiiwas ako pero sunod ka ng sunod!" she pushed him. "Pinaglalaruan mo ba ako?!!"

He held her on both arms tightly. "Tell me," he took a deep breath. "Did you ever love me?"

She was about to answer when someone opened the door hurriedly. She thought it was Elle.

"Mom? Why are you crying? What is he doing to you?"

Raffy was stunned. Cali came in her place excited but his face changed the moment he saw her arguing with the man in front of her. She saw his face stiffen. Hindi nya alam kung ano ang inabutan at nadinig ni Cali sa pag-aaway nila.

"Cali..." she said and was not able to move. She felt Ethan's hand release her arms.

Seff came in shortly, and was all smiling, not knowing what Cali just saw.

"Hi Nay! Sur-" he stopped when he saw her and his brother. "You're here."

"You! What did you do to my Nanay?!" Cali immediately ran to Ethan and kicked him on his leg repeatedly. Ethan was not able to react to Seff's presence. Anger was evident on the child's face and he was crying. "I hate you!"

Seff went up to Cali and took him away from Ethan. "Cali, Cali, Cali... Stop."

"No! He is hurting my Mom!" he shouted and continued to do a way to hit Ethan.

Raffy took Cali from him and embraced her child. "I'm okay. You don't have to worry," she said and wiped her tears away. Cali started crying as soon as she held him. "Shhh... I'm sorry."

"Let's go inside your room, Raffy," Seff told her and held her on her arm to guide them going in to the room.

"Lock the door when you leave," he told his brother coldly.

••

"What happened?" Seff asked her when Cali got settled and fell asleep on her bed. Their arrival was meant to be a surprise for her but it turned out as a disaster for both.

"Ganun pa din. Walang nagbago. He came in today para lang ibalik yung dating pinagtalunan namin kahit na ang dami nyang sinabing hindi maganda," she answered and drank what was left on her wine glass.

"Why did you tell him where you are staying?"

"Nasa records ng company. He will find a way kahit na hindi ko ibigay sa kanya," she said sadly. "I'm sorry that that was what you got when you arrived."

He patted her on her shoulders. "Ang tatag mo."

"Akala mo lang yun," she laughed but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you for coming in on time. I need Cali right now."

"I was bothered when you called me crying," he said.

"Hindi na siguro lalapit yun ulit," she said.

"I doubt," Seff commented. "I will see my parents tomorrow."

"Bakit hindi ka muna dumaan sa kanila?" she was alerted. "Okay na si Cali. I can take care of him."

"Okay lang. I'll spend the night here. Hindi muna kita iiwan," he said.