Forced Marriage

Chapter 39

Kabanata 39

I always..always feared the time where Archer would ask me about his father. So when his third birthday came and after we had sent my father to lay beside my mother, I froze when he mentioned his father.

It took me three and half years to decide to bring him back. Because honestly, I don't want to be apart from Papa. I want to live my life in Pennsylvania where I can rest well with my son.

But it was always my father's wish. And to respect him and his always so loving heart for my mom, I gave him his long wish.

Naiiyak ako sa harap ng puntod nila.

Archer looked at me when he noticed me crying and he held my cheeks with his tiny hands and wiped them off.

Natawa lang ako.

" Why are you crying mommy? " He asked.

Umiling ako. " I just miss my Papa that's all. He's in heaven.." I said and smiled at him.

He was silent then, nilingon ko siya. When he gets so silent I always had flashbacks of Arthur, iyong tahimik na Arthur na mapapatanong ka lang sa isip kung may nagawa kang masama.

But no, this isn't Arthur. This is my son.

" What's wrong? " I asked as I carried him back to our van.

Peter was there waiting, sumasama talaga 'to kahit saan.

" Don't I have a Papa, Mommy? " He asked.

I blinked and I stopped walking and looked at him. I always knew this was coming..

I took a deep breath and answered truthfully. " You have.." I said with difficulty.

" Is uncle Peter my Papa? " He asked.

I smiled lopsidedly and shook my head.
" No. " I said.

" But he's my dada. " he says and I mentally slapped Peter.

I nodded. " He's your dada. " I said, acknowledging that. Peter deserved atleast a title for his effort living with us and actually almost taking the fatherly part of our household.

" You confuse me mommy. " He says blankly looking at me with unimpressed expression.

He's still so young but he caught on his absent father's attitude.

" Uncle Peter is your Dada. But like me, you have a real Papa too. " I said.

" Then who is it? " Tanong niya na pinaghirapan akong lumunok.

Umiling ako. " It's better not to know Archer. " I said.

He pouted. " Why? " He complained.

" Just so. Uh..Dada doesn't like him so. " I faked a smile.

Kumurap siya. " Dada hates someone? Dada is always smiling at everyone. " He says.

Umiling ako. " He doesn't smile at some people too. And frown even if he hates them. " I said.

" I don't smile a lot Mommy but I love you. " He says and my heart melted.
" Do you hate Papa too? " He asked me suddenly that caught me off guard.

I blinked and then answered. " I don't smile at him. " I said more lightly because hate is too heavy of a word for a child like him.

" Then I won't smile at him too. " He smiled at me. Napangiti naman ako at mas hinagkan siya.

We have to fly back immediately, and that's what we did. We took a business class flight that was upgraded by Peter to first class since he spoiled my son too much.