My Only Exception

Chapter 11

"Bakit, ano ba ang totoo? Di ba anak nyo si Cali? Na mahal mo si Raffy? Na inagaw mo sakin yung girlfriend ko? Ikaw ang nagpush sa kanya to take that job so you can be with her, right?!"

He held him on his collar. "Yan talaga ang tingin mo sa amin? I'm so disappointed that you are my brother," he said and released him.

"Likewise," Ethan said with sarcasm. "Sumunod ba kayo dito ng anak mo para makasigurado na hindi mawawala sayo si Raffy? Are you afraid my dear brother that I might do the same to you?"

He reached his limit. Seff became so upset that he punched Ethan on his face.

"Hindi ko anak si Cali!" he shouted at his brother. He was mad. "He's not my son so be ashamed of what you are thinking of me and your wife! Kung may mawawalan man dito, ikaw yun! Ikaw ang matagal ng nawalan dahil sa sarili mong kagagawan! You just neglected and continued to neglect your family for five years."

Agad na natigilan si Ethan sa nadinig.

"Hindi mo anak si Cali?" he repeated. Seff was also surprised with what came out from his mouth. "Did I hear you right?"

Seff pretended to smirk. "I am Cali's Dada. I'm his father. It was not you, it will never be you. And you know what, even if you might have heard me right, assuming that I am not lying, Cali wouldn't choose you to be his father," Seff pushed him. "I will not allow you be anywhere near them from now on."

••

(His Thoughts)

I didn't know what to think of. It was simple for me before. What I wanted was to marry Raffy, have a family with her and that was the main reason why I worked so hard.

When Seff came in the picture, I didn't believe any explanation I heard. For me, they were all lies. For me, Seff was in love with my girlfriend and she fell for him. When they left, they had a kid. When she came back, I realized I still love her but Seff is still there. I didn't take any explanation. When he came, it strengthened what I believed in.

These are what I believed in.

But when he told me that Cali is my son, I questioned myself and doubted what I believed in. Yes, he took back what he said, but I couldn't take it out of my mind. I saw Seff's reaction and there was no point of him telling something as spontaneous as that if it wasn't true.

Granted that it was true...

I am forever in debt to my family. And to my brother.

I opened the drawer in my office and took a small box out of it. I opened it and saw the jewelry glitter. It was the same old ring I bought years ago when I proposed to her. I never took it out of my drawer though I haven't really opened the box either since the day she left.

Fuck. What should I do?

I can't ask Raffy about Cali. I know she wouldn't tell me anything. I can't ask Seff and I doubt if the rest knows anything about it.

Cali.

He hates me. If I am his real dad, I just had a bad shot. I owe him five years of his life and what I impressed on him is that I make his mom cry. He has a point though. I haven't done anything but hurt her.

And then I remembered.

I was a few minutes late. They were all seated and have started their lunch when I arrived. No one was expecting me, no one invited me, and I know they were all waiting for me to make a scene. But no, I wouldn't.

"I'm sorry I'm late," I said as I took my usual seat. I saw Cali's stare at me.

"What is he doing here?" he asked.

"Cali," his Mom answered. "He's Dada's brother."

He didn't say anything thereafter. He was responsive and sweet to them but never glanced my way. After eating, I invited him and Gavin to play video games. Gavin gladly agreed but Cali automatically declined.

"How about basketball?" I asked him. Forgive me but I wasn't really thinking of Gavin's preferences at this time. I would do what could make Cali say yes to me.

"No," he shortly answered. "Dada, can we go to your room please? I want to see your pairs of shoes."

"You can check mine too," I added.

"No, it's okay. Thanks though," he answered.

I took multiple attempts for him to spend time with me. I asked him if he wanted us to go out with Gavin to buy ice cream. I ended up buying some for Gavin but he didn't join us. I invited him to go to the mall and play there, he wanted Seff to come along. I offered to bring him to an amusement park, he said his mom wouldn't allow it.

I shook my head in disbelief. I do not know what else to do.