Mamahalin Kita ng Malayo

CHAPTER 113 - After 2 years

Rod's POV
It's been 2 years since Lizzy and I parted ways. It's painful but I need to accept and continue my life for my child. Just like before, palagi ko pa din siyang minamahal mula sa malayo. I know she's happy and so as I.

Minsan naku-kwento ni Franky and Gab si Lizzy but I told them not to mention the country or name of the hospital where she works. Why? Dahil baka hindi ko matupad yung hiling niya. Baka puntahan ko lang siya ulit and win her back.

I am home, in my study room to be specific coz this past few days hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko but now, I'm completely fine.

Right now I'm checking the AutoCad plan that Angelo sent me. It's a resto bar and I must say, okay na. Sa tinagal-tagal na din kasi naming magkaka-trabaho, they already knew kung okay na ba sa akin o hindi pa.

To be honest, it's a bit boring right now coz my daughter is sleeping rn. Yes! It's a girl and she looks beautiful. Maputi, mahahaba ang pilik mata, matangos ang ilong and so on which reminds me of Lizzy. Her name is Celestine Elizelle Alvarez Laurel but I call her Eli.

While I am still busy checking other important mails, someone knocked the door so I told him/her to come in and as the door opens, it's Steffie karga-karga niya ang anak kong halatang bagong gising so I stood up and walk towards them.

Rod: Hello, my beautiful Eli (smile and carry her daughter) Did you sleep well, hmm?

When I ask my daughter, she yawn then afterwards kumunot ang noo niya which I find it so cute.

Rod: Awww! Naistorbo ata ang tulog ng prinsesa ko ah (look at Eli while smiling).

Steffie: Eh naramdamang wala ka sa tabi niya eh.

Rod: Sorry ka, Daddy's girl eh (then kiss Eli)

Steffie: Oo na! Ewan ko ba jan sa anak mo, ako ang nagdala ng nine months at nagpakahirap pero paglabas, sayo pala aakap and worst girl version mo pa.

Rod: Ganon talaga (look at Steffie and chuckled)

Steffie: Anyway, tumawag si Mommy Emilia kanina.

Rod: And?

Steffie: She's inviting us for dinner.

Rod: Oh okay—p-pero madami pa akong ginagawa eh. Tell her next time nalang or kung gusto mo pwede naman kayong pumunta ni Eli doon. Ipahatid ko nalang kayo sa driver (then smile)

Steffie: Wag na besides I'm not that close to your mom pa naman, Rod.

Rod: You sure?

Steffie: Yah (nodded). So what do you want for dinner? Ipapaluto ko nalang kay Manang mamaya coz I have to go to Mom's place pa. Dahlia needs me eh.

When Steffie mentioned Dahlia, napatingin ako ulit sa kanya. Dahlia isn't living with us kasi ayaw ni Mommy Avery. Parang anak na din kasi ang turing niya sa batang yun.

Rod: W-why? What happen to her?

Steffie: Wala naman. She just miss me kaya bibisitahin ko lang tsaka tutulungan ko na din if she still have assignments.

Rod: Oh okay (nodded) Tell manong na mag-ingat sa pagmamaneho ha? You take care. See you later.

When Steffie nodded and smile, I didn't utter any words na. I just turn back and sit on my swivel habang karga-karga pa din si Eli. Hay! She's my stress reliever. Eveytime nakikita ko siya napapawi agad yung pagod ko and this is what I like tuwing nandito ako sa bahay.

My daughter knows to how to say Daddy and Mommy na and of course basic words. Actually Daddy ang una niyang natutunan which made me so happy that time. Kauuwi ko lang noon galing sa trabaho eh but when I heard her saying "Daddy" for the first time, halos magtatalon ako sa saya.

It's already 8pm, pinabihisan ko na si Eli kay Manang then after that patutulugin na din siya. Gustohin ko mang puntahan pa at lambingin ang bata, mapapagalitan na ako eh coz Manang is there HAHAH

Since hindi pa ako makatulog, I told our other helper na ipagdala muna ako ng alak dito. I wanna relax dahil bihira lang ako magkaroon ng gantong pahinga.

I am now in our balcony while drinking liquor, staring at the sky while thinking about my meeting tomorrow but after a couple of minutes, my phone vibrates. It's a message from Franky on IG.

From Franky:
She's here.

That made me confuse so I replied back dahil hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinutukoy niya and good thing after a couple of seconds, she sent a photo.

Honestly, that made me my tears started to fall. T***~***! Ngayon lang ako ulit umiyak. Why? Because it's Lizzy's picture in the airport. God! She always look beautiful. Just like before, she never fail to mesmerise me.

While looking at the picture, I was shock coz Steffie suddenly speak up so I wipe my tears, turn off my phone and face her.

Rod: G-good thing you're home (then smile forcedly)

Steffie: Dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas, Rod. Bakit ba hindi mo siya makalimutan ha?

I remain silent. I didn't utter any words coz I don't know what to say. I was about to leave but she walk closer.

Steffie: I don't wanna ask this but it feels like I have to.

While Steffie tell those words, she's looking directly into my eyes and after a second her tears started to fall.

Steffie: Do you still love her?

That question made me sigh and look away coz I don't wanna answer it. I don't want her to get hurt.

Steffie: Answer me, Roderick! Do you still love Imee?

When she ask me again, I slowly look at her.
Her tears continues to fall and seems like she really want to know the truth.

Steffie: Mahal mo pa ba siya?!

Rod: Yes.

Steffie: Wow! (Chuckled) Just wow.

Rod: I'm sorry.

Steffie: So ano kami ng anak mo? Wala lang? Wala lang ba kami sayo ha?

Rod: Of course not, Steffie. That's not true.

Steffie: Sabagay bakit pa ba ako nagtatanong? Wala naman akong laban kay Imee eh. Napilitan ka nga lang pakasalan ako para matupad mo yang hiling ng taong mahal mo diba?....So ano? Yung pagpapakita mo ng kabutihan at pag-aalaga sa amin ng anak mo, palabas lang ba yun lahat?

Rod: No, that's not true. I care about you, Steffie.

Steffie: Pero hindi ako ang mahal mo!

Rod: Mahal kita.

Steffie: Pero hindi gaya ng pagmamahal mo kay Imee diba?

When she ask me again, I didn't speak. I just look directly into her eyes and that made her nod, wipe her tears and said "Okay, I got it".

When she went out of our room, I close my eyes and sit on the chair. She's right, hindi ko siya ganon kamahal gaya ng pagmamahal ko kay Lizzy. I can't deny it kasi yun talaga ang totoo pero kahit anong gawin ko, sila na ang pamilya ko ngayon. Sila na ang meron ako ngayon.

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