Celine POV
I went home just like what Galvan instructed. Para namang may magagawa pa ako. I can't say no even I want to. Hindi ko siya sinusunod dahil gusto ko but I want to make atonement for the mistake I have done before.
Baka kasi hindi pa pala makalimutan ni Galvan 'yon. Baka masakit pa rin sa kanya 'yon. With all the years I was gone, alam kong masakit sa para sa kanya. Kaya hahayaan ko siyang saktan ako ngayon.
I'll take it as my punishment for living him.
"Why are you crying Mom?"
Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko at ngumiti kay Shan. I don't want her to worry.
"Okay lang ako Shan," pagsisinungaling ko.
Sinama ko sya pauwi dahil hindi ko kayang mag-isa. Kakainin lang ako ng lungkot na nararamdaman ko. It was too hard to stay strong and pretend I wasn't hurting.
Nagprepare ako ng dinner para kay Shan at Galvan. I don't know kung uuwi siya pero I still prepared.
"What's for dinner Celine?" Shan asked while I am cooking.
"Curry. Your Dad's favorite," sabi ko sa kanya.
"It's our favorite too," she mumbled.
"Kaya nga ito ang niluto ko kasi paborito nating tatlo," nakangiting turan ko. "Want to help Mom?"
She happily came next to me. I guided her in slicing the potato. Sobrang saya niya habang nagluluto kami. Nang matapos kami I tried to call Galvan.
His phone's off.
"He will be happy knowing I cooked it right?" natutuwang tanong ni Shan.
"Oo naman," tugon ko.
"Mom..."
Napatingin ako kay Shan.
"I know you cried again. He made you cried even now," she said. "Yet I want him as my Dad."
Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko kay Shan. Tears starting to form in her eyes. I don't know how to react because I wasn't expecting to hear that from her.
"He is your Dad. Don't cry Kismet. Mom's fine."
I hugged her to make her feel better. Whenever she's being soft I had to call her Kismet to remind her she should not let herself too sad. She's young to have heartbreaks.
Hinintay ko nalang mag-alas otso para magkasabay kaming tatlo. Pero lumipas lang ang mga oras hindi talaga siya dumating.
"I'm hungry," reklamo ni Shan.
Nagkibit balikat naman ako't sinamahan na lamang siyang pumunta sa dining. I can't let her wait anymore. Hanggang sa matapos siyang magdinner walang dumating na Galvan. Nagpaalam sa akin si Shan na matutulog na kaya hinatid ko siya sa kwarto niya at pinatulog bago bumalik sa dining.
It was quarter to eleven nang dumating si Galvan. Kaagad naman akong lumabas para salubungin siya. He looked tired holding his coat. Lumapit naman siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.
"Bakit gising ka pa?" he asked.
"Hinintay kasi kita. I cooked dinner for you," mahinang sabi ko.
Ngumiti naman siya at ginulo ang buhok ko.
"Silly. Sabi ko naman sayo baka gabihin ako o hindi makakauwi. You shouldn't have prepared. Kumain na ako sa hospital," nakangiting tugon niya.
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from getting emotional. Pakiramdam ko ilang segundo na lamang ay malalaglag na ang mga luha ko.
