Lost In Paradise (COMPLETED)

SPECIAL CHAPTER [PART II]: HOME

SPECIAL CHAPTER (PART II): HOME

"I'M SORRY. I mistook you for someone I knew." Napabuga ako ng marahas na hininga.

I can't believe this. Just because I badly wanted to see Monina again, here I am having this kind of delusions.

Umiling si Molina at bahagyang tumawa ng mahina. We're sitting side by side on the bench. We became friends. She's the girl I bumped onto last time. She has the same face just like Monina. They almost have the same name too! Fuck!

"It's fine, I can't blame you for that. Now that I know why you mistook me for someone else, I think I can understand you better now." She looked at me and I suddenly felt the pang of pain in my chest because she's like a living replica of my wife.

I immediately averted my eyes from her. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Walang magandang mangyayari kung magpapakalunod na naman ako sa kalungkutan. I've already moved on. Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasang makaramdam na naman ng sakit at kalungkutan matapos kong makita ang mukha ni Molina. I thought she was Monina. I thought my wife is still alive but who am I kidding? Definitely, it's myself only.

"I'm really sorry. I know it's rude for your part-" she cut me off.

"How many times are you going to apologize to me?" She giggled. "Let's go, let me treat you for lunch. It's on me!"

Napatitig ako sa kaniya ng ilang sandali bago dahan-dahang tumango. Tumayo na ako at nagulat pa ako nang hawak niya ako sa kamay. I suddenly felt something weird radiating through my entire body. I shook my head to disregard such thought.

No, Leighton. She's not your wife. She's not Monina.

Molina decided to eat on Amaranthine. Sinabi kong libre na lang dahil pag-aari ko naman ang naturang kainan pero hindi pa rin siya pumayag. She still chose to pay for it since according to her, business is business.

Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at hinayaan siya sa gusto niyang mangyari. We're busy eating when I heard Maru's voice coming out from my office.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Mabilis na rumehistro ang ngiti sa mga labi ko nang makita ko ang anak ko. Molina wondered why do I have a child at first. I told her that I became a father at such a young age and my family pushed me away for being a disgraceful son.

Now, Maru became my saving grace. Monina never forget about me. Simula nang mawala siya at naiwan sa pangangalaga ko si Maru, tsaka ko lamang napagtanto na hindi pa pala ganoon kasira ang buhay ko. Ang mundo ko. Hindi lang pala sa pagkawala ng asawa ko magtatapos ang lahat dahil nandito pa ang anak namin.

Maru became the biggest part of our relationship. Kung wala siya, siguro hindi rin kami makukumpleto ni Monina. Hindi rin kami mabubuo na dalawa. We're a family not only a couple. In this life, we'll always include Maru in everything. I'll always do anything and everything for my son.

I just hope Monina could see everything. I just hope she could witness how Maru is growing up as a fine young man. Sana nandito siya para maranasan niya rin kahit papaano ang pagiging ina. Pero siguro, hindi gano'n ka-pabor ang lahat ng bagay sa bawat tao.

There will always be things that is just one step closer to us but we still couldn't reach. We still couldn't hold. We still couldn't touch because it wasn't meant for us to begin with.

"What's the problem, son?" Binuhat ko siya at pinaupo sa aking kandungan.

Meanwhile, I could feel Molina's gaze upon the two of us.