Billionaires' Diaries #3: Daniel Lozales

Chapter 1

TW: Violence

JOVIE CHECKED the address again, afraid she'll make a mistake. She was about to go near the old lady she saw when a faint cries enveloped her.. breaking her heart more. Ibinaba niya ang bag na dala at inayos ang suot na damit ng anak. Jovie used her thumb to wipe the milk at the side of her baby's lips. She hummed and when she was about to reach the bag again, her baby suddenly held her fingers. That small fingers of an innocent child wrapped hers, like her daughter didn't want her to leave.

"Shh.. we're near. So behave, alright? Hmm, Rania?" she softly talked to her child.

Jovie smiled when Rania stopped crying and closed her eyes. It was a sight to see.

Bumuga siya ng malakas na hangin, nanginginig ang kamay na pinindot ang doorbell. Hindi naman siya nabigo dahil ilang minuto lang ay lumabas ang isang katulong. Tumingin ang may katandaang babae sa kan'ya bago lumipat ang tingin kay Rania na hawak niya.

Sinamahan siya nitong pumasok sa malaking entrada. A gigantic chandelier welcomed her sight followed by a lady in her 50's, looking so classic and sophisticated in a Victorian dress. Unang tingin palang ay nakilala na niya agad kung sino ito.

"Jovianna, am I right?" The lady spoke.

Tumango si Jovie, humihigpit na ang pagkakahawak sa anak. Minutes from now, she will be a bad mother.

"That's.. " the woman stared at Rania.

Rania cried again, echoing at the large living room. She hushed Rania while gently tapping her thighs.

"Anita, get my granddaughter. "

Jovie was alarmed. Lalo na noong lumapit sa kan'ya ang kasambahay, may awa at alinlangan sa mukha. She was tore into pieces hearing Rania cried while the maid took Rania away from her.. from her life.

She didn't know that it was the last time she'll be holding her daughter like that.

Pinapatahan ng kasambahay si Rania. But Rania kept on crying. It feels like she was searching for her mother.

So she went to her baby, took off her bracelet and put it in Rania's wrist. It looks so big on Rania. Ngumiti siya at hinawakan ang palad ng anak. Maybe in instinct, Rania also held her palm, tightly.

"You'll have a good life here, Rania. Your father will protect you. I know.. I'm sure of that. I'll leave you to him. But my child, in my sunless days, you gave me warm and light. And I hope that you could also be a sun to your Papa. " She kissed Rania's foreheard. Her daughter blinked. "Farewell, my baby.. "

Tila tinalikuran siya ng mundo nang umalis sa sala ang kasambahay kasama ang anak. Sinundan niya iyon ng tingin, nanlulumo at bigo.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry that we have to part ways like this.

"Have a sit, hija. " Inimuwestra ni Matilda Lozales ang sofa sa kan'ya.

Tahimik siyang umupo, nasa anak parin ang isip. Parang gusto niya na lang bawiin ang mga pinangako niya. Parang gusto niya na lang na huwag nang isipin ang iba at ang sarili niya naman. That way, she can keep her child.

Pero alam niya sa sariling hindi puwede. Hindi sa ngayon. Hindi sa kan'yang sitwasyon.

"What's her name?" Matilda Lozales asked, pertaining to Rania.

"Raninya. I call her Rania. Although I never processed her papers. You are free to.. " Halos namaos siya sa huling linya. That's the name she wanted to call her daughter. Ngunit hindi niya rin naman maitatangging kayang kaya nitong palitan ang pangalan ng anak. Pero kung siya ang tatanungin, she wanted Rania's name as is.