CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
—Last Chapter
"How long will you hurt me?" Kerson asked weakly, his gaze fixed on the passing cars.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, Kerson. I just wanted to see your dreams come true," I replied. "I was trying to protect myself because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."
"In order to save yourself, you had to destroy me with your lies. . ." I heard him sob.
I couldn't bring myself to respond. My mind went blank. I was lost, unsure of what to do next. I had only made things more complicated for myself and Dion.
Tama si Mama.
Tama si Ate Kissha.
Tama si Shainny.
Tama si Erica.
Tama si Kenzo.
Tama lahat sila. Sana, sana una pa lang nakinig na ako. Sana nasabi ko na ang dapat sabihin.
Pero, putangina, pakiramdam na 'to, hindi na nawala!
Kahit ilang taon na siyang nawala, siya pa rin hinahanap ko, e! Kahit nawala siyang ilang taon, siya pa rin ang gustong-gusto kong mahalin.
"I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry if I lied you," I whispered, my voice filled with remorse.
"Of course, we'll hurt each other. That's just part of life. To experience love is to accept the possibility of pain," he replied softly. "To be present in each other's lives means understanding that there may be times of absence."
As Kerson drove, silence enveloped us, the hum of the cars filling the void between us. I couldn't shake the weight of guilt, the burden of my mistakes weighing heavily on my mind. I still didn't know how to tell my son the truth, how to admit my faults and face the consequences of my actions.
"Kerson, ako ang magsasabi kay Dion ang lahat. Baka mabigla ang bata," I said.
"Aly . . ." His voice cracked, tears evident in his tone. "Can you tell me more about our son? What are his habits? What does he like? His favorite color, foods, toys. . . Everything about our son."
I turned to him slowly, noticing the redness in his eyes from crying— from pain, from the hurt he felt towards me.
"Your son—" I began.
"Our son," he corrected me firmly.
I bit my lip nervously. "Our son's name is Dion Stephen. His favorite color is green, his favorite toys are dinosaurs. He's a gentle child, quiet most of the time. He loves being kissed before bed and when he wakes up in the morning. He's a sweet child, just like you."
"That's my son. . ." he smiled through his tears. "Damn it. I've been away from him for fours years. He hasn't seen me for four years. Damn it!"
I played with my fingers, feeling the nervousness rise again as tears streamed down my cheeks. I regretted so much. If only I had been honest earlier, if only I had faced the truth, I wouldn't be struggling like this now.
"Babe," Kerson's voice brought me back. "I'll fix this. We'll fix this together, okay?"
I couldn't find the words to respond, my tongue feeling heavy.
"I promise, we'll mend what's broken. I'll rebuild our family. Our children shouldn't have to endure the pain of an incomplete family," Kerson declared earnestly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Kerson, tumigil ka na. Isang mali 'to ang ginagawa mo. P'wede ka magpaka-tatay kay Dion habang may taong minamahal ka," tugon ko. "Ayoko masira ang lahat. Ayoko makasira."
Mali 'to. Malapit siya magpakasal. Malapit na siya magkaroon ng asawa. Ayoko maging hadlang sa lahat ng bagay.
I heard him exhale deeply. "But you're right. I can still be a loving father to our child, even while I love you."
"Kerson, it's not about that. H'wag mo ako mahalin dahil ayaw mong maranasan ng mga anak mo ang broken family, mahalin mo ako dahil mahal mo ako." saad ko.
"I've loved you all along. From high school, through college, even when I was in Australia, it's always been you, Lyzza," Kerson confessed, pulling the car over to the side of the road for a more intimate conversation.
"But. . .you're engaged already. You have Rhian. You're on the verge of getting married, and I can't be the one to disrupt that," I admitted, avoiding his gaze because his eyes felt like a dagger to my heart.
"Rhian? Seriously?" Kerson burst into laughter. "Rhian is my fiancée?"
Nagkunot-noo ang aking ginawa, nagtataka kung bakit tumatawa siya.
Gago ba siya? Tinatarando ba niya ako? Nakakaputangina 'ata 'to!
"Gago ka ba? Adik ka, Kerson?" I sarcatically asked.
Tawang-tawa pa rin siya halos mamula ang buong mukha niya. "Nope. Nothing. Saan mo ba nakuha n'yan?"
"I'm serious, Kerson. Noong isang araw nasa mall kayo ni Rhian, I saw you with her. Narinig ko na magpapasukat pa kayo na susuotin niyo sa kasal. At kanina, gusto mo pumunta ako sa mismong kasal niyo." paliwanag ko.
"Fuck! Na-misintrepret mo po. Listen carefully, babe," malambing na saad ni Kerson. "I don't have a fiancée. I don't have a wife. I haven't even had a girlfriend since I left for Australia. Rhian and I have never been together since you came into my life," Kerson clarified, his tone serious yet tinged with relief.
"Huh? P-Paano 'yong narinig ko noong nasa mall kayo? Paano 'yong pinapupunta mo ako sa kasal?" naguguluhan kong tanong.
Gulong-gulo ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng nangyayari ngayon. Nakadagdag pa 'to problema ko. Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. Malinaw ang pagkakarinig ko noong nakita ko si Kerson at Rhian sa isang mall. Sabay daw sila magpapasukat sa susuotin nila sa kasal.
Ano ang sinabi niya kanina? Sa tungkol sa kasal?
"Actually, Rhian wants to invite you to their wedding," he explained swiftly. "Auto-pass kung hindi ikaw ang asawa ko."
I turned to the window, trying to conceal my smile. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my face, gently cupping it as he drew me closer. Our foreheads touched as he spoke in a resolute tone.
"Aly, you're the only one I want to use my last name with," he declared firmly. "Our children will bear our names too."
Tumango ako sa kaniya, ngumiti ng malapad. "Seryoso ka ba, hindi ka papakasal sa iba? Kung ginagago mo ako, mas gago ako sa'yo kaya umayos ka, Zack Faulkerson!"
"I'm a hundred percent certain!" he exclaimed with a smile. "If only you could touch my heart, you'd know who it truly beats for."
"Baho ng alam mo!" Umiwas ako ng tingin muli at ngumiti ng patago. "H'wag mo muna na'tin isipin n'yan. Nagiisip ako kung paano ko sasabihin kay Dion ang lahat ng 'to."
"We can do it, babe. All I want is to be a father to my child. In four years, I want to make up for not being there," he said, his smile fading into a pained expression. "My son will know that I am the father he's been longing for all this time."
The car ride home felt suffocating, each passing moment dragging on as I grappled with the truth I needed to share. Kerson's presence beside me only intensified my anxiety, his obliviousness to the bombshell I was about to drop amplifying the guilt gnawing at my conscience.
My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I navigated the familiar streets toward home. I stole glances at Kerson, but his attention seemed fixed on the passing scenery, unaware of the turmoil raging within me.
As we pulled into the driveway, my heart pounded in my chest, and my palms grew clammy with nerves. I hesitated before stepping out of the car, my legs feeling like lead as I approached the house. Dion's laughter echoed from the backyard, a bittersweet reminder of the innocence I was about to disrupt.
Kerson remained outside, his presence a silent reminder of the truth I had kept hidden for far too long. With each step toward Dion, my resolve wavered, the weight of my secret threatening to crush me.
"Hi, Mommy! Look at me, I'm a T-Rex!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing with enthusiasm.
A lump formed in my throat as I forced a smile, the weight of the truth bearing down on me like a heavy anchor.
"You make a very scary dinosaur, Dion," I replied, my voice betraying the turmoil within me.
As Dion continued to play, oblivious to the storm brewing within me, I struggled to find the words to tell him the truth. Kerson remained outside, his presence a silent reminder of the journey we had been on together.
Taking a deep breath, I knelt beside Dion, my hands trembling as I reached out to him. "Dion, come here."
His brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes searching mine for answers. "What is it, Mommy? Is everything okay?"
"There's something I need to tell you, baby boy," I began, my voice wavering with emotion.
My heart started pounding. I didn't know how to start admitting it all. I was afraid my son might get hurt.
He looked up at me, his eyes wide with curiosity, his toy dinosaur clutched tightly in his hand. "What is it, Mommy?"
"Baby boy, do you want to see your Daddy?" I bit my lower lip nervously.
"Yes, Mommy!" he giggled. "I want to meet him. I want to see my real daddy, Mommy!"
I looked into his eyes, feeling sorry for my son because I denied him the truth.
"Your daddy is here. I'm with him," I said, tears streaming down my face as I smiled. "Are you excited, baby boy?"
"Yes, Mom!" he giggled. "Where's my daddy now? I'm super excited!"
"But before that, I-I'm really sorry, anak. . . if I kept everything from you. Please forgive your Mommy if I withheld the truth from you, baby boy," suddenly my tears that I had been holding back started to flow. "Dion, I'm sorry if nagsinungaling ako. Sorry. . . sorry. . ."
"Mommy, please don't cry. Dion isn't upset," Dion said innocently. "It's okay, Mommy. That's why I want to be a big boy, so I can learn the truth! Remember what you said before? When I'm a big boy na, I'll understand everything. So don't worry, Mommy, I understand na po."
"Gusto mo na bang makita ang Papa mo ngayon?" I smiled widely, wiping my tears.
"Yes, mommy please!" nakangiting niyang saad.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya ng malapad. Tumango ako sa kaniya ng ilang beses at hinalikan ang kaniyang pisngi. "Buksan mo ang pinto, naroon ang papa mo."
He formed an 'o' with his mouth, his eyes sparkling as if someone had reignited hope within him. Dion quickly ran to the door, searching eagerly for something he had longed for.
This time, I had no regrets.
Telling the truth was the right thing to do.
My son deserved to know everything.
"Mommy! Mommy, please help me!" Dion pleaded. "I can't reach the doorknob. Mommy, hurry, or Daddy will leave us!"
"Of course, baby boy!" I reassured him with a smile. "Your Daddy won't leave us. He's waiting for you, 'nak."
I rose from beside him and approached the door. Slowly, I turned the doorknob and opened it, revealing Kerson standing on the other side. His eyes widened with surprise when he saw Dion. Nervously, he knelt down to meet Dion's eye level.
"S-son. . ." Kerson uttered.
Dion looked at him, still puzzled. He gazed at Kerson with curiosity.
"Mommy, where's my Daddy? This is my uncle, right?" Dion said softly.
"He's not your uncle anymore," I replied with a smile, patting his head. "Because, that's your Daddy, the one you've been searching for."
Nanlaki ang mata nito at tumingin muli siya kay Kerson, naiiyak. Hindi alam gagawin ni Dion dahil sa nangyayari ngayon. Nanatili nakatayo si Dion sa tabi ko, naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ng laylayan ng damit ko.
"Hello, Dion?" Kerson bit his lower lip. "Hug your daddy, please. . ."
As Dion's eyes met Kerson's, a flood of emotions washed over me. I could see the love and warmth in his father's eyes, a familiar feeling that tugged at my heartstrings. With hesitant steps, Dion approached Kerson, his small frame trembling with emotion.
Kerson knelt down, his arms open wide, ready to embrace his son. As Dion reached him, he threw himself into Kerson's arms, holding on tightly as tears streamed down his cheeks. In that moment, all the pain of their separation melted away, replaced by the overwhelming joy of being reunited.
"Daddy, I missed you so much," Dion sobbed, his words muffled against Kerson's shoulder.
Kerson held him close, his own tears mingling with Dion's.
"I missed you too, big boy," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "But I'm here now, and I promise I'll never leave you again."
As father and son held each other tightly, a sense of completeness washed over us. In that embrace, we found solace and healing, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together as a family.
"I love you, Daddy," Dion murmured, his voice filled with sincerity.
"I love you too," Kerson replied, his voice thick with emotion. "More than you'll ever know."
I watched them, my heart swelling with gratitude and relief. After years of longing and uncertainty, my son had finally found the love and acceptance he deserved.
"Daddy, will you stay with us now?" Dion asked, looking up at Kerson with hopeful eyes.
Kerson smiled tenderly, brushing a tear from Dion's cheek.
"Of course, big boy. I'm here to stay," he promised, his voice unwavering.
I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as a family, bound by love and forgiveness.
"Will you stay forever, Daddy?" Dion's innocent question hung in the air, filled with hope and longing.
"I'll do my best, son. I promise to be here for you, for as long as you need me," he vowed, his voice steady with conviction.
Dion's face lit up with a radiant smile, his arms still wrapped tightly around his father.
"Yay! I want Daddy to stay forever and ever!" he exclaimed, his joy contagious.
I couldn't help but smile through my tears, overwhelmed with gratitude for this moment of happiness and reconciliation.
"We all want that, baby boy," I murmured, my voice choked with emotion.
"Daddy promises, Dion. I'll always be here for you and Mommy," Kerson reassured, his voice filled with sincerity.
"And Mommy, too?" Dion looked up at me, his eyes searching for confirmation.
"Absolutely! Mommy will always be here, right by your side," I affirmed, reaching out to ruffle his hair affectionately.
"Yay! Dion is super happy!" Dion cheered, his laughter echoing through the room.
With tears of joy in my eyes, I wrapped my arms around both of them, feeling grateful for the love and unity that bound us together as a family.
"We're a team, right?" I whispered, feeling the warmth of their embrace.
"Team forever!" Dion declared proudly, his tiny hand reaching out to join ours in a triumphant gesture of unity.
And in that moment, surrounded by love and laughter, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, stronger and more united than ever before.
"Dion, do you want to hear a story about when Mommy and Daddy first met?" Kerson asked, hoping to lighten the mood with a fond memory.
"Story time! Story time!" Dion clapped his hands excitedly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Okay, here we go," Kerson began, settling down beside them. "It all started on a high school days. When I saw your mommy, my world stop spinning as if she's the only one living in this universe."
As I recounted the tale of how Kerson and I first crossed paths, Dion listened intently, his imagination ignited by the colorful details of our journey.
"And then what happened, Daddy?" Dion asked eagerly, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, let's just say that it was the beginning of a beautiful lyrics in song," Kerson replied with a smile, exchanging a knowing glance with Kerson.
"And now, here we are, together as a family," Kerson added, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"Yay! Dion loves our family story!" Dion cheered, snuggling close to us as we basked in the warmth of our shared memories.
As we sat together, wrapped in each other's embrace, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. Despite the challenges we had faced, we had overcome them all, emerging stronger and more united than ever before.
"Daddy, can we play dinosaurs together tomorrow?" Dion's eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked up at Kerson.
"Absolutely, big boy! We'll have a dinosaur adventure like no other," Kerson replied, matching Dion's enthusiasm with his own.
"And Mommy can join us too, right Mommy?" Dion turned to me, his smile widening.
"Oo naman, anak! I'd love to join in on the fun," I said, feeling a warmth spread through my heart at the prospect of spending quality time together as a family.
As we made plans for the days ahead, I couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the second chance we had been given. Together, we would create new memories and forge deeper bonds, cherishing each moment as a precious gift.
With laughter echoing in the air and love radiating from every corner of our home, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them with courage, unity, and unwavering love for one another.
As Kerson lifted Dion and stood up, a radiant smile spread across his face, illuminating the room with his joy. His words filled my heart with warmth and gratitude, a testament to the journey we had endured and the love that had brought us back together.
"Maraming salamat, Kerson," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for never losing faith and for embracing the opportunity to rebuild our family."
His smile widened, reflecting the depth of his love and commitment.
"This is truly a blessing from above," he declared, his eyes shining with happiness. "And I'm grateful for every moment of it."
Turning to face me, he reached out his hand, a silent invitation to join him in this newfound journey of love and reconciliation.
"Let's fix what was broken and build something even stronger," he urged. "Together, as partners, as parents, and as soulmates. As one."
I smiled at him. "Ayusin mo muna sa inyo ng anak mo bago sa atin."
"I guess, Dion and I are settled now. I'll stay with you until the end. I'll fix what I left broken before. Hindi ko kakayanin kung pati mag-ina ko ay mawawala pa."
Nanatili ako nakikinig sa kaniya. Si Dion, tahimik at tila pinapakinggan kung ano sinasabi ng tatay niya.
"You want to know how much I love you?" Kerson asked, his tone filled with sincerity.
"Sige nga? Baka scam 'to, ah!" I responded. "Gaano mo ako kamahal?"
Unti-unti niya kinukuha ang isang kamay ko, nakatingin sa mga mata mo.
"Can't you see how perfect your hands will look with that diamond ring," he said, his smile affectionate yet determined. "And get ready, because we're going to have more children, my love. No arguments."
N A M E L E S S G U Y 2 5
-Last Chapter
Let's go the Epilogue!
Epilogue: Zack Faulkerson Ilustre's Point of View.
To all my valued readers, unknowns babies and my co-authors,
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for your unwavering support of my work. Your continued encouragement means the world to me, and I am truly grateful for your ongoing commitment to my stories. I cherish the connection we share and am deeply thankful for your loyalty. I hope to have your continued support as we journey together through the world of storytelling.
Ready yourself to; PLIANT OF BLUE (LOVE MATERIAL SEROES #3).
I love you, unknowns babies!