Dulling Glisters of the Diamond (Casa Fuego Series #5)

Chapter 25

Peace of mind

"All done!" the hairstylist smiled and touched my newly cut hair.

Bahagyang inalog ng hairstylist ang aking buhok at napangiti ako nang nagustuhan ang bagong gupit. This is my first time trying a short hair. My jaw, forehead, and cheekbones were accentuated. Dumulas ang aking mga mata sa anak kong mahaba ang pasensya na naghintay at nakatingin sa akin.

I smiled at my four year old son. He's turning five in a few months. He's very smart for his age. He's also so tall for his age. Lola said he has the intellect of the Villacortas. And the vigour and adventurous of the Manriquezs.

"Do you like it, Miss Villacorta?"

"Yes, I like it. Thank you," I smiled and stared at myself again.

Akala ko kapag nagkaanak na ako, malulusyang na ako. Pero ngayong tanggap ko na ang sitwasyon, wala na akong ikagaganda ba. Wala na akong ikasasaya pa. My internal peace and the overwhelming love I have within me resonated to my physical beauty. I have never felt so beautiful and confident about myself after accepting that I am now a mother.

Tumayo na ako at ibinigay ang aking black card. Mabilis ang naging proseso dahil matagal na ako sa parlor na ito kaya nakabalik na ako sa anak ko. I was concerned he'd be so bored, but he just kept looking at me with a smirk.

Gosh, he's so young and he already looks like girls would flock on him! I enrolled him in Nursery and he would always go home with a letter from his girl classmates! Halos mahimatay ako sa tuwing ganoon!

"Sorry, Mama took long, anak," kinuha ko ang kamay niya.

"You're so beautiful, Mama," he smiled.

Parang may humaplos sa puso ko. I kissed his forehead and waved at the hairstylist. I've known him for so long and he knows that Javion is my child. Akala ko kakalat ang balitang iyon pero alam niyang pribado ako at ang pamilya ko. I am not trying to hide Javion, though. I don't care if the news about my child spread to the world, but since we're on another country, everybody is inconspicious.

Habang naglalakad kami sa mall, nahahawi ang daan at napapatingin sa akin ang mga tao. I am no longer an active socialite when I began focusing on my career, and my family loves Australia because we can walk freely around here, but everyone still stares at me.

Nasa akin ang mga mata nila, at dudulas sa anak kong hawak ko. May ilang mapapawi ang ngiti, pero may iilan ding mas lalong namangha. I feel so confident about myself.

Gaya ng madalas, pinaglaro ko siya sa mall. Pagdating sa anak ko, wala akong arte. I am wearing a designer dress but I am here in my socks climbing the foam stairs so I can slide with my son. Pinagtitinginan kami ng tao pero kapag kasama ko ang anak ko, na sa kanya lang ang atensyon ko.

"Mama! One more!"

Nagpakawala ako ng hininga. Javion is very, very energetic. Hindi ko na siya madalas pinapakain ng sweets pero hyper pa rin siya. He's also very dangerous. He's just four years old but he knows how to ride a bike and scooter! Tumatawa lang siya kapag nadadapa, habang ako'y halos ipatawag na ang mga magagaling na doktor para gamutin ang anak kong nasugatan!

I want him to grow up as a normal child. Where he can play with our neighbors, he can get dirty in the park, or do whatever he wants. Pero nasasaktan pa rin ako kapag nagkakasugat siya.

After a few slides, he went to the next obstacle. Hinahabol ko na ang paghinga ko. Pinagtitinginan ako ng ibang mga kasama rito.

"Mama, you're tired already?"

"Already?" gulat kong tanong. "Jav, Mama can't keep with your energy!"

He laughed, but later on stopped. He smiled at me and instead of proceeding to the next obstacle, he held my hand.