Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 21

"Oh, shoot. I forgot my phone," I said. "Mauna na kayo sa loob, susunod din ako." tinanguhan ako ni Kuya Jon kaya nauna na silang tatlo sa loob ng mall.

Naglakad na ako pabalik sa kotse. Nang makuha ko ang phone ko ay inilagay ko 'yon sa bag habang naglalakad. Halos hiwalayan ako ng kaluluwa ko dahil sa gulat.

Hinatak ako ni Jacob at isinandal sa isang kotse. "Why you didn't tell me about her?" he asked.

"About Lope? Are you kidding me? When I was pregnant, I can't fucking contact you." I said.

"Ethan had my contact number. Binigay ko 'yon sa kanya noong isang taon na ako roon." he said.

"I know--"

"I know that you know, Cali. You should've had told me about our daughter. I know I made mistake, but she's still my daughter." saad niya. Lumayo siya sa 'kin nang bahagya at inilagay ang kamay sa may bulsa. "Ethan told me that you don't want to talk to me anymore." he said. "Just let me explain everything, Caliah."

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. "I already know why you left, Jacob. You don't need to explain."

"Why you didn't talk to me when Ethan had my contact number? Why you didn't tell me that we have a child?"

"Because I was thinking about your career. I was wondering if you were going to accept my daughter or not. I was wondering if you already have a new girlfriend there." I said. Iniiwasan kong maging emosyonal pero hindi ko mapigilan. "Because even though I love you... I'm mad at you, Jacob. You could've told me that you need to leave because you want to pursue your dreams, but you didn't. You left me alone, Jacob. You promised... And you left me there."

My eyes were blurry. I just felt his hand around my waist. He's now hugging me.

Pahigpit nang pahigpit ang pagyakap niya sa 'kin. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I know all I did was wrong. I'm sorry, Cali." he said. "I know it's not that easy to accept me, but please give me a second chance."

Humiwalay ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya. Pinunasan niya ang luha niya at umiwas ng tingin.

"I want to be with her, Cali. I want to be with you again." he said.

I sighed. "Just let me talk to Lope first. I'll explain everything to her." I said. "I need to go. She's waiting for me."

Bago pa ako makaalis ay hinigit niya akong muli at mahigpit na niyakap. "Let me do this," he said. After a minute, naramdaman kong hinalikan niya ako sa noo. "If you give me a chance, I'll make things right." saad niya. "I love you, Cali."

He wore his cap and walked away. Tumulo ang luha ko habang pinapanood siyang maglakad paalis. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at naglakad na papasok sa mall.

"What's wrong? May nangyari ba?" tanong agad ni kuya sa 'kin paglapit ko sa kanya. "Natagalan ka yata?"

Umiling-iling ako. "Nothing's wrong, kuya. Hinanap ko pa kasi 'yong phone ko, e." palusot ko. "Where's Lope?"

Itinuro niya ang direksyon kung nasaan si Ate Lana at Lope. "Are you sure you're okay? Parang namumula 'yong mata mo."

Peke akong tumawa. "Wala 'yan! Baka lumalabo na 'yang mata mo, matanda ka na kasi." sabi ko.

"At least may jowa," bawi niya. "Kidding. Anyway, nakapag-usap na ba kayo ng ex mo?" tanong niya.

Natatawa ako kapag naaalala ko na hindi ko nabanggit kay kuya na 'yong ama ni Lope ang nag-concert noon. Iniisip niya ay isa lang sa crowd.

"Ah, kakausapin ko muna si Lope about sa daddy niya." I answered.

He looked at me. "So, nakapag-usap na kayo?"

Marahan akong tumango. "Yeah, but I'll talk to Lope first. Gusto niya kasing makasama si Lope."

"Bago niya makasama 'yong pamangkin ko, kausapin niya muna ako." saad niya. "Kailangan mangako muna siya sa 'kin, Emily."

"Yeah, fine. I'll tell him," saad ko.

Pag-uwi namin sa bahay ay dumiretso na kami ni Lope sa kwarto. Binihisan ko lang siya at hinayaan munang maglaro bago siya kausapin.

"Lope, come here." sabi ko sa kanya. Agad naman siyang lumapit. "Do you want to meet your daddy? I mean, you already met him."

She smiled. "I knew it. Jenny's uncle is my daddy." she said. "I want to meet him again po, mama."

Sinuklay ko ang buhok niya gamit ang kamay ko. "Really? Do you want to spend time with him?"

She nodded. "Yes, mama. But gusto ko po kasama ka." she said. "Mama, family is supposed to be together, right? My classmates have their mom and dad together. I want that, too."

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya. "Uh, your daddy and I will talk about it, okay? We need to fix everything first, Lope." I said.

Tumango naman siya. "Okay, mama. I'm excited to be with him na po!" she said.

Bumalik na siya sa nilalaro niya at ako naman ay tinawagan si Jacob para sabihin sa kanya 'yong naging usapan namin ni Lope.