The Cloaked Truth Series #4: Where No One Sees

🦋 LXXV.

I thanked the Lord for another life of mine. I never knew after that conversation with my late mother, I'd be still able to open my eyes and witness the people around me mourning as they thought I would be gone forever.

And I saw how he revived me. The instrument God used to save me from dying. 

Halos maramdaman ko ang pagbalik ng oksenerhiya sa baga ko. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag kasabay niyon ang pagbabalik ng aking pandinig. Para akong pumasok sa isang mahiwagang libro at bumalik sa reyalidad. 

"Love…" 

Sa muling unang pagkakataon, narinig ko siyang kausapin ako. Parang bumagsak ang matibay na dahilan na pinanghahawakan ko para hindi siya kausapin, para tiisin siya noon.

"F-frigus…" humagulgol ako ng sobra.

Pakiramdam ko, patay talaga ako nung mga panahong iyon dahil hindi ako makalapit sakaniya. Ngayong yakap ko siya, para akong bata na nawala at muling natagpuan. I'm home.

"Mommy!" 

We cried as we hugged each other. Everyone cried silently too as they witnessed this moment. Especially Sol and Cerene… All the MG. 

I saw how my dad rushed to get in and when he saw me, his jaw dropped. I saw my childhood best friend, Janah Marie, my older step sister, Ate Lea and my little brother Junior. My step mother was not here, maybe ayaw niyang pumunta.

"Anak… b-buhay ka…" nangangatog na sabi ni Papa.

For the first time again he held me in his arms and hugged me. It feels like I'm back to being her baby. It felt like a princess to me. I miss his hugs, kisses, and his care. I miss my dad…

I nodded nonstop. Bago pa siya makapagtanong ulit ay napalingon siya kay Friah na lumapit sa akin para makiyakap. I smiled.

"Hello, Papa-Lolo!" Friah said.

"K-kilala mo ko?" My dad asked.

My daughter just nodded sweetly. I know I did well raising her on my own. Because even though we're both live far from our relatives and loved ones that time, hindi ako nagkulang sa pagpapakilala at pagpapaalala sa mga taong mahahalaga sa buhay ko, namin. 

"Oh my gosh, you're not just alive! You have a kid too! And I can't believe hindi mo sinabi sa 'kin, Farah Leonor?!" hindi alam ni ate kung magagalit ba siya o hindi.

Even though we're not in good terms, kinuwento ko parin siya kay Friah. Because I know, she won't include Friah sa away namin. I saw her soft sides already back when I was just a kid too.

Eversince that day, hindi kami nagkahiwalay nila Frigus kahit saan pa kami magtungo. Naiintindihan ko siya, antagal kong nawalay sakaniya.

"You matured already…" he said.

I laughed and blushed. He covered Friah's eyes before leaning for a kiss.

Damn, I miss those kisses. His lips actually.

"Can't we just stay out of the country together for good? I mean—"

"I would love to." I said and bit my lower lip.

"Mommy! Can we go to Paris? I wanna go there!" Friah said.

"Yes, baby. We will live there soon." I said before pinching her nose.

"Would you stop that? You might hurt her!" Frigus said.

I laughed. Staring at them makes my heart flutter. Hindi ko alam pero ang saya-saya ko. Parang ayoko na ngang kumurap kahit isa!

"We need to talk…" Dad said.

I nodded. Alam kong marami pa kaming dapat pag-usapan at aregluhin. Andami ko din gustong sabihin sakaniya, itanong, makarinig ng sagot.

Everyone went out at kami na lang ang natira. Iniupo niya ko ng maayos mula sa pagkakahiga. Hindi ko alam pero parang unti-unting nakukuha ng batang ako 'yung oras na gusto niya noon pa. Ang makapagtanong at makakuha ng sagot. 

"Where's Tita Lina?" I asked.

I haven't seen her again after a decade. I know, she's not a great Mom to me but I know where she's coming from too. Even though I'm an illegitimate child of my father and the heir of the Fuestebllos, my younger brother deserves to have the attention he needs. We're the only Fuestebllo in the family since Ate Lea was an Escuevas. 

"She got admitted at your husband's hospital…"

"Is she okay now?" 

"She is. She said she wants to be okay so she could talk to you." 

I smiled sadly. The little me is slowly healing :))