Sa sumunod na mga araw, wala naman gaanong special na nangyari. Normal lang naman ang lahat.
Aizer often visit us at ipinapasyal niya si Aze, minsan sumasama ako, pero madalas na hinahayaan ko lang silang dalawa na mag bonding. Sumasama lang ako pag nangungulit si Aze kasi I've been busy these days.
Paps suddenly give Mr David's work at his company to me kaya halos busy ako araw araw, buti nalang marami sila na nagbabantay kay Aze. Hindi ko naman mahindian ang trabahong binigay ni Paps since trabaho iyon ni Mr David, and I feel responsible for that.
Si Clayd ang humawak ng mga trabaho ni Mr David ng mawala ito, but just a month ago ng mas naging busy siya in his chosen field, Engineer na sila ngayon ni Blake. Zel on the other hand ng magsimula siya as an international flight attendant in the Philippine airlines ay minsan lang pala talaga siya sa bahay.
Aizer's already the CEO of the DC Company at talagang may oras pa siyang nilalaan para makasama si Aze.
While signing the loaded papers at Paps office dito lang sa bahay ay biglang nag ring ang cellphone ko.
Landline number? Kunot noo kong sinagot ang tawag at bumalik sa pag pirma ng mga papeles.
"Hi, sorry for suddenly calling you, are you busy?" Napasulyap agad ako sa cellphone ko ng makilala ang boses na iyon.
"Aizer? Why did you call? May tinitingnan at pinipirmahang mga papeles ako ngayon. Did something happened to Aze?" sunod sunod na tanong at sabi ko.
Aze is with him today. Kaninang umaga niya lang ito sinundo kaya ito ako ngayon sa trabaho ko.
"No nothing happened. Pero gusto niya na daw umuwi, but I am going to attend a sudden meeting. Iiwan ko lang muna siya sa office ko with my secretary but he badly wants to go home. What should I do? My meeting's about to start?"
"Ipahatid mo nalang siya."
"No, I won't entrust Aze to anybody." Natigilan naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at ibinaba ang signpen na hawak ko.
"Alright, ako na ang susunod sa kaniya."
"You sure? You can asked Blake to pick him up." Aniya naman agad.
"He isn't here... I will be there in a minute." Sabi ko naman. Agad na pinatay ko ang tawag at tumayo then lumabas ng opisina. Kinuha ko agad ang susi ng kotse ko.
Buti nalang buhay pa pala ang Lamborghini Aventador ko. Tsk. Hindi pa dumadating ang bagong Lamborghini Urus SUV na pinurchase ko. Kaylangan ko ng bagong sasakyan na comfy para kay Aze.
Nang makarating ako sa harapan ng companya nina Aizer ay agad akong pumasok sa loob.
"What can I do for you ma'am?" Sabi ng nasa front desk.
"Where is Aizer's office?" Agad na tanong ko. Nakalimutan ko kasing itanong kay Aizer kanina, ngayon palang ako pakakapunta rito sa company niya.
"Do you have an appointment with the CEO ma'am?" Muling niyang tanong.
"No, but you can call him. Tell him Elshein Mc Blaire is here at the lobby." Inip na sagot ko.
Namilog naman ang bibig niya matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.
"I'm sorry Ma'am. Nasa top floor po ang office ni sir Aizer." Biglang sabi ng kasama niya.
Tumango naman ako, "Thank you." Nakangiti kong sabi at agad na naglakad papunta sa elevator.
Nang makarating ako sa top floor ay agad na lumapit sakin ang isang lalaki maybe ka-edad lang rin namin nang makita niya ako.
"Good afternoon Ma'am Elshein. I am Gerald, sir Aizer's secretary. Sir Aizer is already at the meeting, but he said to bring you to Aze." Agad na sabi niya.
"This way ma'am." Aniya as he lead the way to Aizer's office.
Nang makapasok kami sa isang office na halos dalawa ang laki sa opisina ni paps sa bahay. Agad kong nakita si Aze na naglalaro sa iPad niya.
"Mommy!" Agad na sambit niya at binitawan ang iPad then tumakbo palapit sakin.
"Ahm ma'am, sir Aizer said na hintayin niyo raw po siya if you're not in a hurry dahil may sasabihin raw siyang importante." The guy behind me suddenly said.
Napatingin naman ako sa wristwatch ko 4:40 pm, napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Ano kaya naman ang importanteng sasabihin niya...
"Okay. We'll stay here."
"Sa labas lang po ako ma'am." Muling Sabi niya bago lumabas at isinara ang pinto.
Ngumiti naman ako kay Aze, "Why do you want to go home early?" tanong ko.
"Because I missed you, mom." Nakanguso niya namang sagot. Mahinang natawa nalang ako at naupo sa couch habang karga-karga parin siya.
"Ang bigat mo na. You surely eat a lot, anak." Napanguso naman siya dahil sa sinabi ko. Natawa nalang ako at hinalikan siya sa pisnge.
It's just been weeks, but he already understand some Filipino language. For his age, he surely smarter than I am at his age.
It's already been 5:30 pero hindi parin tapos ang meeting ni Aizer, kanina ko pa nililibang si Aze buti nalang nagbago ang isip niya na umuwi na.
Biglang bumukas ang pinto kaya napalingon ako roon. I thought it was Aizer...
"Ma'am, please." Rinig kong sabi ng secretary ni Aizer na nasa likoran ng babaeng biglang pumasok.
"Mc Blaire, Elshein Jewelle... Nice meeting you again." She said while smiling. She surely the ambassadress of the European Union, sophisticated and elegant.
"Hi, I am Danica Patric." Nakangiti niya paring sabi.
"Good to know you're here... Can I have a minute, in private?" Aniya ulit.
Napatingin naman ako kay Aze at sa secretary ni Aizer.
"Can you bring Aze outside for a minute?" Ani ko.
"S-sure ma'am." Aniya at agad na nilapitan si Aze.
"Go with him for awhile, I have to talk to her for a minute. Is it okay, Aze?" Sabi ko kay Aze. Tumango naman siya kaya dinala na siya ni Gerald sa labas.
"Please sit, Ms Patric." Sabi ko habang nakaturo sa couch na nasa harapan ko at naupo na rin.
"Just like I thought... that baby is Aizer's son." Aniya agad ng makaupo siya.
"What do you want to talk about?" I straightly asked, dami pa kasing paliguy-liguy.
"Do you still love, Aizer?" Agad na tanong niya. Hindi ako sumagot ngunit nanatili ang mga tingin ko sa kaniya.
"Do you know that I like him since the moment I first saw him?... That's why I tried convincing my dad to create a proposal to the Del Castillo's to build a relationship that will lead to merging and later talk about marriage. Even if I know that he love someone else."
"Why are you telling me these all of a sudden?" Kunot noo kong sambit.
"Because I envy you. Aizer loves you, he still love you... Kahit ako ang nasa tabi niya nong panahong wala ka, ako ang nakakausap at nandiyan para sa kaniya. Iba parin ang tinitibok ng puso niya... You already have everything, even the man that I want." Sunod sunod na sabi niya using her serious yet smooth voice. As if she's telling me that her words are pure and there is no hatred or what.
"I actually don't care about the girl they're saying that Aizer loved so much. I didn't do any background check. I didn't because they said that she's already dead. I focus myself to please Aizer. Because you know, he was so cold that you can't even talk to him proper that time. He was in sorrow, but after a year he accepted me as his fiancé..." Aniya at bumuntong hinanga muna bago ipinagpatuloy ang sasabihin.
"... Not until he saw the woman he love, again..." Dugtong niya habang nakatingin saking mga mata.
"... He became cold again to me. Hindi niya ako eni-entertain tuwing pupunta ako sa bahay niya or dito sa company. He's always busy and tired, I don't know what is the reason, hindi naman marami ang trabaho niya ngayon. Then I saw your son." Matapos niyang sabihin ang huling salita ay tumingin siya sa pintoan kung saan dumaan sina Aze.
Then she gaze at me, "I really have this feeling the moment I saw you and your son at the mall, that something is off between you two... Later I found out, after a short background check, ang babaeng nagmamayari pala kay Aizer ay isang Mc Blaire.... Elshein Jewelle Estamante Mc Blaire, and you have a three-year-old son, Aze Elwin Estamante, and he's Aizer's son as well."
I was stunned to speak when I heard the last sentence she mentioned. She even know the full name I gave to my son.
"I'm not planning to take away Aizer from you, don't worry... I just want Aze to feel the warmth of having a father." I mumbled, wearing only a plain expression.
Then she suddenly smiled, "Thank you for that... But even if I want to,,, he already have decided."
I was about to say something regarding sa sinabi niya, but the door suddenly opened kaya napatingin nalang ako doon.
"Why are you still here, Danica?" Aizer said the moment he saw his fiancé.
Napatingin naman ako kay Danica na nakangiti lang at dahan dahang kinuha ang bag niya at tumayo.
I am right infront of him pero si Danica ang una niyang nakita at tinanong.
"I'm having a conversation with Ms Mc Blaire." Nakangiting sabi ni Danica kay Aizer.
Hindi ko naman magawang tumingin pa kay Aizer at nanatiling walang imik sa couch.
"Your dad's waiting outside. You should go now, or you'll miss your flight." Rinig kong sabi ni Aizer.
"Alright, I'll be going... Thank you for the short conversation Ms Mc Blaire." Napatingin naman ako kay Danica after kong marinig ang sinabi niya.
She's smiling beautifully kaya ngumiti nalang ako sa kaniya at marahang tumango. Tumingin siya kay Aizer kaya muling akong umiwas ng tingin.
"I'll be going, take care of yourself, Aiz. See you again soon." Rinig kong sabi ni Danica. I even saw from my peripheral vision that she kissed Aizer's cheek before going out.
After the door has closed the whole room was filled with silence. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at dahan dahang tumayo.
"I guess, I'll be going as well." Sabi ko at kinuha ang bag na dala ko.
"Shein..." I heard him mumbled.
Sinulyapan ko siya and bitterly smiled. He is in his natural expression while staring at me.
"Where's Aze?" I asked as I slowly walk towards the door where he is currently standing.
"Can we talk?" He suddenly asked which made me stopped.
I just plainly stared at him, "Ahm, not now Aizer. I'm tired and gusto ko nang umuwi." I mumbled then I look away.
"Where is Aze?" Muling tanong ko habang nakatingin na sa pintoan.
"He's with Gerald." I heard him answered the sighed.
Mahinang tumango naman ako, "Alis na kami." I murmured then started walking towards the door.
"Ihahatid ko na kayo sa labas." Rinig kong sabi niya at agad na sumunod naman siya sa akin.
Nang makalabas kami mula sa opisina niya ay agad na nakita ko si Aze sa isang table na malapit lang sa opisina ni Aizer. He's talking and laughing with Gerald, Aizer's secretary.
"Aze, baby, let's go." Sabi ko nang makalapit sa kanila.
"We're going home, mom?" Aze suddenly asked as he went beside me.
I just nodded, "Yes, so say goodbye to sir Gerald."
Agad namang tumingin at nagpaalam si Aze sa secretary ng daddy niya. I nodded to Gerald and held Aze hand.
"Ihahatid ko lang sila sa labas, please prepare my tea and the papers I need to sign." Aizer said to his secretary.
"Daddy? You're going with us?" Aze suddenly said then lumapit siya kay Aizer.
"He'll just lead us to mom's car, Aze." I answered instead at sinangayonan naman ito ni Aizer.
Aizer lifted Aze up. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at nagsimulang maglakad habang nakasunod naman sila sa akin.
While inside the elevator the employees na nakakasabay namin ay pinapanood kami hanggang lumabas kami, dumaan kami sa lobby then headed to the parking lot. Seems like they're enjoying what they saw, napapairap nalang tuloy ako.
Looks like they think that we are a happy family. I'm sure they knew who's Aze and maybe even me.
Happy family my ass...
Days runs quickly without me even realising it. Kasi naman, I've been busy with my work and my son. Ganon lang naman palagi ang flow ng buhay ko this past few days after the day I visited Aizer's company para sunduin lang si Aze but end up having a conversation with Danica.
Mula non, hindi ko pa ulit nakikita si Aizer, and it's almost been two weeks.
Kapag pumupunta siya sa bahay para kunin si Aze ay hindi naman ako nagpapakita dahil nasa office lang ako hanggang iuwi niya si Aze.
Masyadong marami ang mga paper works na iniwan ni Clayd sakin dahil marami raw ang naiwan ni Mr David, at mas marami pa ang dumadating.
"I want to visit our company in Japan to check if it's been doing well." I suddenly said while having lunch with paps.
"Even after the work loads you have?" He also asked.
"Why not, I mean it's been years when I last visited the company and you're still sitting on the top floor that time."
"Well, you're right. Why don't we have a vacation in Japan at the same time?" Paps suddenly suggested.
"Hmm, good idea. I'll think about it." I mumbled and continue my eating my foods.
If I calculated right, it's been four years. A year in LA then three years far from everyone.
I guess, it will also be fun if we'll have a short vacation in Japan. Aze will surely love the idea. I should tell him later when he arrive.
After I had lunch with paps ay bumalik ako sa opisina dito sa bahay to continue my job.
Evening came at hindi parin ako tapos sa mga pinipirmahan at binabasa kong papeles. Although, I'm sure that Aze, Clayd and Blake are already at home.
Because I want to finish the rest of the papers that are already in its deadliest deadline, Hindi na tuloy ako naka pag dinner. Pero, hinatiran ako ni Clayd at ni Aze ng food.
I can't stop smiling how my baby is so sweet. I think, itutuloy ko ang suggestion ni paps kanina.
Kinabukasan. While having lunch with everyone except Zel dahil nasa trabaho parin siya, I told them about the vacation in Japan.
"I'm in." Nakangiting sabi ni Clayd.
"I don't think makakasama ako. I still have meetings with other corporates until next week." sabi naman ni Blake.
"How sad, I just finished the preparation for the building program with my workers yesterday." Natatawang sabi naman ni Clayd sa kaniya.
"Tsk! Kailan ba kayo aalis?" Tanong nalang ni Blake.
"This coming monday." Sagot ko naman. Monday is already in two days.
"And until when are you gonna stay in Japan?" Muling tanong niya.
"Just two weeks I think." Sagot ko naman ulit.
"Then, susunod nalang ako after my works. Next week, Zel's already off-work, I'm sure she'll follow." Nakangiting sabi ni Blake.
"That's great." Nakangiting comento naman ni paps.
Tumango-tango lang ako at ipinagpatuloy ang pagpapakain kay Aze. Alam na rin niya ang plano namin, and I'm glad to know that he's excited.
Later that day, nang umalis si Clayd at Blake para pumasok na sa mga trabaho nila, Aizer suddenly arrived.
"Good to see you outside your office, Shein." Nakangiti niyang sabi sakin ng makita niya ako at si Aze sa may living room.
"How are you?" Muling tanong niya.
"I'm good, thank you for asking. Are you here to pick up Aze again?" Sabi ko, and he just nodded.
"Dad? Can we go out with mom today?" Biglang sabi ni Aze na ikinagulat ko.
"What are you saying, baby. Mom still have work to do." Natatawa kong sabi at pinisil ang pisnge niya.
"But it's okay mom, you can do that later after we go out with dad!" Masigla niyang sabi ulit.
Napatingin nalang ako kay Aizer na nakangiti habang nakatingin rin sa akin. Napairap nalang ako at ibinaling ang tingin kay Aze.
"Fine. But we should go home before sunset."
"Yey!!" Masayang sambit ni Aze at lumapit sa daddy niya.
Then I just saw myself sitting at the front seat beside Aizer, while Aze is at the back. I remain silent at nakatingin lang sa daan habang nasa byahe.
"Where do you wanna go, Shein?" Aizer suddenly asked kaya napasulyap ako sa kaniya.
"Up to you." I just simply answered.
"It's almost already lunch, I think we should eat first." Aniya ulit, tumango naman naman ako.
I don't know kung saan niya kami dadalhin. It took half an hour before we finally arrived to our destination.
Takang tumingin naman ako kay Aizer when he parked his car infront of a house.
"Nagpaluto ako ng food for us. So, let's go?" Sabi niya naman. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at mahinang tumango.
Nauna siyang bumaba at kinuha si Aze sa likod kaya bumaba na rin ako.
Habang naglalakad papasok ng bahay niya at nakasunod lang sa kanila ni Aze ay biglang nag flashback sakin ang mga nangyari samin noon.
The days we spent together. The first time I stepped in this floor. The days we shared.
"Ma'am Elshein!?" Isang malakas na boses ang agad na bumungad sa amin.
"Ma'am! Masaya akong makita kang muli!" Emosyonal na sabi niya.
She's Aizer's made. Napangiti nalang ako at tumango sa kaniya.
"Have you prepared the dining?" Tanong ni Aizer sa kaniya.
"Yes sir! Hi baby Aze." Sagot niya kay Aizer at bati niya naman kay Aze.
"Hello~" nakangiting sambit ni Aze.
Seems like Aizer often bring Aze here. I've been really letting them spent their time together, just the both of them.
"Let's have our lunch so we can go out later." Sabi ni Aizer. Tumango lang naman ako.
While having lunch, si Aizer ang nagpapakain kay Aze na dapat ay trabaho ko yun. Pero mukang sanay na sanay na siyang pakainin ang anak ko.
I don't know what I should feel, but while watching them, seems like a not so quite different sensation inside my chest suddenly arisen.
"Let's go to the children's place?" Aizer suddenly said while carrying Aze in his arms.
We just finished lunch and we're already going out? Tsk. They surely have a lot of energy even after eating.
"Aren't you both full?" Kunot noo kong tanong.
Lumingon naman sakin si Aizer, "Hmm. Should we stay a bit at the cinema, at least we're just sitting and watching a movie."
I just shrugged my shoulders then looked at Aze, "Let's watch a movie first, Aze? We'll be going to the children's place afterwards."
"Yes, mom." He just simply answered.
Napatingin naman ako kay Aizer who is just looking at me too. I just nodded at him then naglakad na kami patungo sa kotse niya para pumunta na sa mall.
Later at the mall, Aizer choose a movie that will suited to children, para naman hindi mabagot si Aze. Nasa gitna naman namin siya habang tahimik lang na nanonood.
Napapangiti nalang ako dahil sa itsura ni Aze. As if he really understand the flow of the movie we're watching.
Nang matapos ang pinapanood namin ay dinala naman namin si Aze sa children's place, just like we promised.
I was sitting at the waiting room while Aizer's doing the job to let Aze enter the place where he can play with other kids... I am just watching them from the glasses wall.
They surely have the picture perfect father and son bond... I can stop but smile.
"Aren't you bored?" Aizer asked when he went beside me. Iniwan niya sa loob si Aze since para lang naman sa mga bata ang lugar na yun.
"Hindi naman." I just simply answered.
He just nodded and sat beside me. Nanatili naman akong tahimik habang nakatingin lang sa glass wall na nagsisilbing gap between the children's place and waiting area. Ganon rin naman si Aizer. That's why I feel kinda awkward.
"I already broke the engagement." Aizer suddenly said which made me surprisedly gazed at the floor.
He... He what?
I slowly glance at him, "What?" I muttered.
"Already weeks ago, when you went to fetch Aze at my office... Chairman Patric cancelled my engagement with Danica."
"H-how? I mean...." Hindi ko naituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil sa gulat.
Dahan dahan naman siyang tumingin sa akin, "How? Because I don't want to marry someone I don't love."
He smiled and suddenly held my hand, "I love someone else more than my life, and I know you know who I'm talking about."
"Aiz..." The feeling I've been concealing suddenly arisen. I can feel my heart pounding just because of those words.
"I've been wanting to talk to you but you were busy and I don't want to interfere with your works... Now that I've found an opportunity, I won't let this slide without you knowing what I feel." He smoothly and genuinely uttered those words while staring at me.
"Shein, I love you, I always do... Will you let me be part of your life again?"
Shit... All I can feel is just my heartbeat and the tears na nagsisimulang mamuo sa mga mata ko.
"I—I'm sorry." My tears starting to fall down as I murmured those words. Kusa nalang gumalaw ang katawan ko at yumakap sa kaniya. "I'm sorry for everything I've done. I'm sorry for leaving you, I'm sorry for hidding for almost three years."
Saya and at the same time hiya sa sarili ang mas nararamdaman ko ngayon. How can I leave this man behind for all those years. How can he still love me despite all the things I've done. I love him, and he's the only one that I love but I betrayed him.
"I'm ashamed that I concealed my feeling just because I don't want you to get hurt because of me. But—But you're here, been telling me that you love, still love me."
"Didn't I promised you that I will always love you? You, and just you? Whatever you do to me, you will always be the woman that I will love and I want beside me." He softly mumbled.
I can't think clearly, all that I have in mind now is that I am hugging Aizer and my heart's pounding because of this feelings.
I think, tinigasan ko lang talaga seguro ang isip ko when I found out that he's already engaged. Now, that I know it was cancelled, the wall suddenly had broken.
I am still madly in love with this man.
._.