"Past is our history. We may not forget them. Well, at least, we learnt from them"
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LABIS ang kaligayahan ni Monique nang makalabas na sila sa clinic ng kanyang ob gyne. Ilang buwan nalang ang kanilang iintayin at lalabas na ang kanilang anak.
Hinaplos niya ang umbok na tiyan at napahinga ng malalim. It's already her 6 months of pregnancy and she's happy. They're happy especially Kevin nang malaman nito noong mga nakaraang buwan kung ano ang gender ng anak nila. Every time na dadalaw sila sa kanyang ob gyne ay napapaluha ito sa tuwing naririnig nito ang heart beat ng anak nila.
Monique is happy. Kevin changed, and she loves the new Kevin today. Kahit na sobrang busy nito sa pagtatrabaho ay hindi parin sila nito nakakalimutan. He always gave time to them and it warms her heart.
"Hey, you're smiling. Happy?"
Huminto sila sa paglalakad patungo sa kotse ni Kevin. Ngumiti si Monique at tumingala.
"Hindi ko kasi lubos akalain na," Huminga siya ng malalim. "Aabot tayo sa ganito. Na magkakaanak ulit tayo at nandito ka sa tabi ko. You're always there for me. You're so sweet, kind and loving and caring. And I love this new you. I hope hindi ka na magbabago. Please stay this way Kevin, natatakot akong baka... pagdating ng araw, magiging iba na naman ang trato mo sa'kin. Sasaktan mo na naman ako at iiwan. Ayokong mangyare 'yon, natatakot ako Kevin. Please, stay with me kahit pagdating ng araw wala ka ng mararamdaman sa akin. Just be civil for our children, and stay with me for the rest of your life." Nanubig ang kanyang mga mata. Masaya siya pero may takot parin sa kanyang isipan na baka balang araw hindi na siya nito mahal at iiwan siya. She's scared, ayaw na ayaw niyang iniiwan.
Kevin let his emotions show out his eyes and held her face with so much affection. This side of Monique he really don't like, she always overthink.
Kevin hushed her and wipes out her tears. He kissed her lips before speaking.
"I can't promise you that, Monique." he hugs her. "I don't usually utter promises, sometimes they end up broken. But one thing's for sure, I will try my best for you to overcome your fears, and demons inside you. I will try hard to help you expand the horizons of your soulful love. I will try to pull you out from living the dark past. I want you to remove all the anxiety and open your eyes for this reality." madamdaming sabi ni Kevin at lumayo ng konti para makita ang mukha ng asawa. "Please Monique, past is our history. We may not forget them. Well, at least, we learnt from them."
Parang hinaplos ang puso ni Monique sa sinabi ni Kevin. His words, it infiltrated through her soul. Hindi man nito kayang mangako pero gagawin naman nito ang lahat at 'yon ang ikinagagalak niya.
"Please stop crying now, baby. You know it's not good for you." Natawa si Monique sa sinabi nito lalo na sa itsura nito. Para itong takot na baka may mangyareng masama sa kanya.
They continued walking until they reach his car. He opened the passenger's side then turn to the driver's side.
"Hey! You'll fetch Alliyah, right? Please drop me to dad's house, it's nearer here." Nilingon ni Monique ang asawa nang e-on nito ang engine. "Matagal ko ng hindi nakikita si daddy, I missed him. At saka, gusto ko siyang makausap ng matagal. Kumusta na kaya siya?" Madamdamin niyang sabi at lumabi. Naluluha siya, she's a papa's girl kaya madali siyang naapektuhan sa kanyang sinabi dumagdag pa ang pagka-emosyonal niya dahil sa pagbubuntis.
Napangiti si Kevin sa narinig mula sa asawa. Ramdam sa boses nito ang pagka-miss nito sa ama. Well, he can't blame her. She's a papa's girl and she loves her father so much.
Sinulyapan ito ni Kevin.
"Save that for later, baby"
Habang tinatahak ang daan papunta sa bahay ng ama ay bumalik sa isipan ni Monique ang mga nangyare noong mga nakaraang buwan.
Napangiti siya nang maalala ang bayang nilakihan, New Zealand.
She had been dreaming of a man who will fight for her and will show how much he loves her, at pinatunayan ito ni Kevin noong sumunod ito sa kanya kasama ang anak nila. And now, she's happy because she got what she dreamed of. Kahit sino naman sigurong babae, magsasaya kapag tunay ang pagmamahal na binibigay ng lalaking minamahal nila. Naalala pa niya ito kung paano nito inasikaso lahat tungkol sa kakambal ni Alliyah. Marami itong pinakilos para mas maging madali ang kaso ng mga suspek. She's thankful for Laverth and the other man who helped them for the case. They didn't leave the country hanggang sa natapos ang hearing sa korte at napatawan ng habambuhay na pagkakakulong ang mga salarin. Sa wakas, nabigyan din ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng anak nila.
Nanubig ang mga mata ni Monique at napahinga. Bumalik na naman sa ala-ala niya ang mga araw na nasa tabi at nayayakap at nahahagkan pa niya ang bata. Pinahid niya ang isang butil ng luha na tumakas mula sa mata niya.
"Hey," malamyos na anang Kevin at hinawakan ang balikat niya.
Kaagad na lumingon si Monique sa asawa.
"We're here... You're not okay." Worry creeps through Kevin's body as he sees her gloomy face. Inabot niya ang mukha ng asawa at hinaplos ito.
Sinubukang ngumiti ni Monique pero hindi ito umabot hanggang mata. She's sad, she won't deny it.
"Naalala ko lang ang kakambal ni Alliyah. Katulad din siya ni Alliyah, bibo at sobrang sweet. Ang mga halik at yakap niya sa'kin, sobrang sarap."
Kevin hugged her tenderly. "Wherever he is right now, I'm sure he's happy. He's life wouldn't be boring because he's with his older brother, and they're watching and guiding us from above. Maybe they are teaming up to get us back together."
Nang makaalis si Kevin ay agad na pinapasok ng guwardya si Monique. Napangiti siya nang bumungad sa kanyang harapan ang malaking bahay.
Mabilis siyang naglakad papasok sa bahay at naabutan ang dalawang katulong na naglilinis sa living room.
"Magandang hapon, ma'am Monique" sabay na bati ng dalawa nang makita siya.
"Si daddy?" Tanong niya.
"Nasa pool area ma'am. Umiinom ng kape." sagot ng isang katulong. Tumango siya saka nagpasalamat.
Agad na tinungo ni Monique ang pool area at halos mapaluha sa saya nang makita ang likod ng ama. Nakaupo ito sa silya sa tabi ng bilog na lamesa.
"Dad!" She called for her father's attention.
Thomas immediately roam his eyes and it settled on his daughter walking toward him. He stood up and welcome her with a hug nang makalapit ito.
Tumulo ang luha ni Monique nang yakapin siya ng ama. God, she misses her father's hug. It's a kind of hug that only a father could give. Umiyak siya sa balikat nito, matagal-tagal rin na hindi sila nagkita kaya labis na sumaya ang kanyang puso ngayong nakita niya ang ama.
"Daddy, I miss you"
Hinagod naman ng ama nito ang likod niya at pinapatahan siya.
"I miss you too, my giant baby. How are you?" He caressed his daughter's back softly kaya mas tumulo ang luha ni Monique. Wala talagang tutumbas sa pagmamahal ng isang ama.
"I'm fine, dad. I'm fine."
"Hey sweetheart. Don't cry, ahh!! Daddy don't like it when you cry. I feel I caused you pain."
Lumayo ng kaunti si Monique para matitigan ng malaya ang mukha ng ama.
Thomas held her face and wiped her tears away.
"Namiss lang naman kita daddy eh, ilang buwan din kitang hindi nakita. Tignan mo nga, wala ng nag-aalaga sa'yo. Nangangayat kana, sorry dahil bumalik sa'yo ang pangangalaga ng kompanya, but don't worry dad. After I give birth, just 3 months. Babalik na ako sa pagtatrabaho. I can't stress you out, tumatanda kana." Nag-aalala niyang sabi ngunit ngumiti lamang ng matamis ang kanyang ama.
"My giant baby, don't worry about daddy. Kaya ko pa ang sarili ko, I'm strong remember? I can handle myself, mas malakas pa ako sa kalabaw." Natawa si Monique sa huling sinabi nito. She's sure sinabi lang nito iyon para hindi na siya mag-alala pa. Hindi kaya makita ng isang mapagmahal na ama na umiiyak, nasasaktan at nag-aalala ang kanilang anak. That's why they always pretend to be strong but deep down, nasasaktan at nadudurog din ang puso nila. They just act as if they're strong to be our foundation.
A loving father is like a tree, they will stand strong for their children. Hindi din sila basta-basta nalang kayang patumbahin ng isang bagyo, lalaban sila hanggang kaya nila. And that kind of love from a father, is too deep to be reach.
Muling niyakap si Monique ng kanyang ama.
"Masaya akong masaya ka, anak. Hindi mo man alam pero, palagi kong pinagdasal na sana dumating na ang tamang lalaki para sa'yo." Napangiti si Monique sa sinabi ng ama.
Hinarap siya nito at hinawakan sa magkabilang balikat.
"Hindi ko parin lubos akalain na, nagkabalikan na kayo ni Kevin. Pero tignan mo nga naman," ngumiti ang matanda. "You're here, carrying his child again. Alam mo bang noong araw na sabay kayong nagtungo sa Macau?" Huminga ito ng malalim. "He called me and asked for your hand but I didn't let him to have you. Alam kong galit at kinamumuhian mo siya kaya umayaw ako sa kanya. I was even mad at him, but knowing Kevin. He won't listen, he will do everything to get what he wants."
He won't listen. Sa sinabi ng ama ay nag-init ang pisngi ni Monique. Naalala niya ang nangyare sa kanila sa private plane ng asawa. Oh yeah! Kevin don't know the word listen before, pero ngayon marunong na itong makinig... sa kanya.
"Baby, your cheeks are red." malambing na sabi ng matanda kaya nabalik ang atensyon ni Monique sa ama ngunit mas lalo lamang uminit ang kanyang pisngi nang pinukol siya nito ng mapanuksong tingin.
"Dad naman! Stop it!"
"What?" Tatawa-tawang anang matanda. "I didn't say something. I am just looking at you."
Humaba ang nguso ni Monique, naiinis siya. Pakiramdam niya tinutukso siya ng ama sa mga tingin nito.
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KEVIN flashed a sweet smile seeing Alliyah running toward him. His baby is so pretty. Mas lumawak ang kanyang ngiti nang maalala ang ikalimang kaarawan nito sa susunod na linggo, and he prepared a grandiose birthday for her. It's his first time attending his daughter's birthday and it should be magnificent.
"Daddy!"
He squats and hug her tightly. God, his baby will turn 5 next week. Naiiyak tuloy siya, hindi kasi niya alam ang pakiramdam na dinadaos ang kaarawan ng sariling anak. Parang kahapon lang na nakilala niya ito.
"Daddy, you said we will go to Lowlow's house. But why are we here eating ice cream?" Natawa si Kevin sa pagbanggit ng anak sa salitang Lolo. Cute.
Pinahid niya ang ice cream na kumalat sa pisngi nito. Pagkatapos niya itong sunduin sa skwelahan nito ay agad silang umalis at dinala niya ito sa isang ice cream shop.
"Let's give time to mommy to talk to her daddy. Mommy misses her daddy so much. They need time to bond as a father and daughter. Just like us, here, eating ice cream. This is what we called, father and daughter bonding sweetheart." Pagpapaintindi ni Kevin. Namamangha parin siya sa kanyang sarili, he didn't talk this way to a business person. Hindi niya lubos akalain na kaya niyang magsalita na naaayon sa level ng kanyang anak.
"Okay"
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MASAYANG nag-uusap si Monique at ama nito nang dumating sa bahay sila Kevin kasama ang kanilang anak. Alliyah ran to her grandfather dahil namimiss na din ito ng bata. Binati din ni Kevin ang byenan.
"Ang tagal niyo." anang Monique. Isa't kalahating oras din tumagal bago dumating ang mag-ama niya.
Imbis na si Kevin ang sumagot ay ang anak nito ang sumabat.
"We ate ice cream mom!" Masayang sabi ng bata.
Napangiti nalang si Monique sa anak at hinalikan ang noo nito.
Nilingon naman ng byenan si Kevin.
"Kevin," tawag ng ama ni Monique. He looked at him seriously. "You still owe me an explanation. Phone call isn't enough for me."
Tumango si Kevin.
"Good. Now follow me." Anang matanda at tumalikod at naglakad.
Huminga ng malalim si Kevin at tinignan ang mag-ina niya. He sees worried in Monique's eyes kaya nilapitan niya ito.
"Hey," he held her shoulders.
"Kevin, baka anong sabihin o gawin sa'yo ni daddy"
He chuckled.
"And so? You're scared?"
Tumango si Monique habang tinitingala siya. "Hindi mo kasi alam kung paano magalit si daddy."
"It's fine, I understand. A father should be mad to the man who was once hurt his daughter. If I'm in his place too, I would probably punch or kill the guy who hurt my princess. So, nothing to worry about. I made the problem, and I should be the one to resolve it with the father of the woman I love. I love you baby." Kevin said so softly. His voice is calm and there's an assurance in it. Ipinapahiwatig nito na kaya nito ito and she shouldn't be worry about.
Nang makaalis si Kevin at sinundan si Thomas sa library nito ay abot-abot ang kabang nararamdaman ni Monique. Hindi niya alam kung anong mangyayare sa loob ng library.
But in contrary to Monique's belief, nagtatawanan lang sina Kevin at Thomas sa loob ng library.
"Hey! You shouldn't hurt my daughter again or else, I will kill you." Tatawa-tawang anang Thomas.
Umayos ng upo si Kevin sa sofa at tinignan ng seryoso ang ama ng babaeng mahal niya, the old man is sitting across him.
"I love Monique. I don't know when I feel it but, every time I sees her wearing those daring clothes and men are drooling over her, I felt I need to take their eyes away and buried them alive. Jealousy overcomes me and I don't like the feeling."
Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ng matanda at tinignang maigi si Kevin.
"A father wants what's best for his daughter. I hope you won't do the same thing like you did to her before." naging seryoso ang usapan nila lalo na nang binanggit nito ang salitang, father. Yeah, a father wants what's best for his daughter.
"Please don't stop loving Monique, and be a faithful husband to her," Malungkot na bumuntong hininga ang matanda. "I felt sorry for my daughter because I can't give the family she deserves. Sana ibigay mo sa kanya ang pamilyang inaasam-asam niya at mahalin mo siya ng higit pa sa pagmamahal na ibinibigay ko sa kanya."
Pagkatapos ng usapan ay sa bahay ng mga Cessna sila naghapunan, and they had a wonderful dinner together.
1 week past.
Abala si Monique sa pag-aayos ng kanyang anak dahil kaarawan nito ngayon. She prepared all things for Alliyah. Magha-hire sana si Kevin ng tagaayos but Monique stopped him. Gusto niyang siya mesmo ang umasikaso sa anak.
Sa hotel nila Monique dinaos ang kaarawan ng anak. Kevin managed to make it grandiose and everything to her is perfect, and she loves it.
Nakangiting Alliyah ang naglakad papunta sa stage nang tawagin ang pangalan nito.
There's so much pride in Kevin's eyes seeing his daughter walking down the aisle beautifully. Sobrang ganda ng anak niya na nakasuot ng baby pink puffy tulle gown, at may maliit din na korona sa ulo nito. She looks like a princess. Oh yeah, it's his princess.
Nang makaabot sa stage ang bata ay agad na inakay ito ni Kevin palapit sa kanila ni Monique at nagsalita.
"Good evening everyone. I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight, to join us in celebration of my daughter's fifth birthday, Keisha Alliyah." He paused. "This night is a very memorable night for me. This is my first time celebrating my daughter's birthday and I am really grateful. Months ago, I thought being a father wouldn't be easy. But as time goes by, I realised, being a father is the most amazing and important job I ever had. Years ago I thought it's not easy to raised a child, but as Alliyah came in to my life, my perception change and my whole world turns into a rainbow of happiness. She inspires me of everything," lumingon si Kevin kay Monique at ngumiti. "...and that is all because of my gorgeous loving wife, Monique. She brought her to me."
Bumundol ng sobrang lakas ang puso ni Monique sa sinabi ni Kevin. Napahinga siya ng malalim at ngumiti pabalik. She's happy, Kevin made her happy. His tantalizing eyes made its way to her soul. Tinitigan niya ito habang nagsasalita, Kevin is nothing but a gorgeous — hot businessman. Sobrang gwapo nito habang nagsasalita.
"I know everyone of you here knew our history. We started wrong. We got married without love, I love someone else, and she was a girl from another country. I was mean to her, I hurt her — I was ruthless, yeah."
Bumaba ang mga mata ni Monique sa isang kamay ni Kevin na nakahawak sa kamay ng anak. Halo-halo ang nararamdaman niya ngayon, masaya siya na kinakabahan. Sobrang bilis din ng hininga niya at nanubig ang kanyang mga mata. She felt crying; Kevin is storytelling.
"Then she got pregnant with our first child but I was a fool. I was the caused of her miscarriage and I regret it. I felt sorry for her, but I don't have the guts to utter the word to her. I was sad too, I was disappointed of myself knowing I killed my own child. I was stupid." Lantarang pahayag ni Kevin.
Monique whispers to stop him. Tumulo nadin ang kanyang mga luha, she don't want to remember the past. Pero ito at nagsasalita si Kevin.
"We broke up, but it didn't stop there. When she came back, I thought it's only her. But accidentally, Alliyah came in picture. My heart leaps the second I saw the child. There I knew, the child's mine. And now here she is, celebrating her fifth birthday." Yumuko si Kevin at hinalikan sa noo ang bata.
Alliyah raised her head to see her father. Kevin is smiling widely to her kaya napangiti narin ang bata.
"Then I constantly seeing her. I was obsessed, the Monique I knew changed. She became bolder, wiser, fiercer, stronger and wilder." He paused then glanced at Monique. "When we were at Macau, I became more obsessed to her. There, my plan started. I need to own her, and the only way is to marry her. We got married in Barcelona, Spain. But our marriage is not as easy as I thought, my biggest enemy is her trust. She don't trust me, and I don't want to let her go. I did everything to remove all her anxieties and trust issues. And now here she is," lumingon siya sa asawa na ngayon ay tumutulo ang mga luha. "I love her the way my heart beats for her."
Mas tumulo ang luha ni Monique when Kevin confessed to everybody his love to her. God, this is her man. He's eyes sincerely settled on her.
Kevin smiled and wipes her tears. Nangingiti siyang lumingon sa mga tao.
"My wife is 6 months pregnant, she's really emotional." aniya at nagtawanan ang mga tao. Pinalo naman ni Monique ang kanyang braso. "Hush now baby, you know I love you." He said with a microphone on. The people in the room heard it kaya mas lalong naiyak si Monique. Namula din ang kanyang pisngi.
She wipes her tears at tiningala ang asawa.
"This is not our night Kevin. It's Alliyah," mahinang anang Monique. Pagsasalitaan na sana niya ito nang biglang lumuhod si Kevin sa harapan niya.
"Again, baby. This night is a very memorable night for me." Ani Kevin habang nakatingala sa asawa.
Umawang ang labi ni Monique at namalisbis na naman ang mga luha. How could Kevin be so sweet like this.
"Monique, I love you. Let me be the happiest man tonight."
It's not a question, rather a statement.
She covers her mouth. Hindi na siya magpapaligoy pa. She nodded before uttering,
"Yes"
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To be continued...
✴ever_minah✴