Calming The Storms

~CHAPTER 44~

ETHAN JADE TOLENTINO

Reminder: This is Ethan point of view as a father of Asher. So basically most of the parts Hazel will not be mention.

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"Papa..." my son cute voice called me.

I was fixing his toy car and teaching him to call me Papa.

It's been a month since the incident happen. I want to tell my son Asher, how much his Mama love her. I was glad, I recover fast after the incident.

"Say it again baby..." I smile at him.

But still, I still hope her mother was here.

My mother is the one who arrange the burial of my beloved. She brought Asher at the cemetery, while my father doesn't care.

"Pa..." Asher hardly pronounce but we are interrupted when the door slams.

Kita ko ang takot sa mata ng anak ko, kaya agad ko siyang binuhat at pinakalma.

"Stop teaching him calling you Papa, Ethan." my father baritone voice said.

Tinitigan ko si Daddy ng masama pero agad din naman niya akong tinadyakan.

Kinuha ni Mommy si Asher at pinatahan dahil umiiyak na ang anak ko.

"Anak ko yan Dad..." paghikbi ko.

"Di na ngayon. Ayoko masira ang reputasyon mo at ng pamilyang prinotektahan ko." tinaas niya ang aking panga at tumitig ng sobrang dilim.

No. Ayoko, na di ako makilala na ama ni Asher. I promise to his mother na kahit ano ang mangyari ikwekwento ko siya sa anak namin.

"At wag mo din, ikwekwento ang babaeng iyon." I push my father's hand and grab his collar.

"That girl! Is Asher's mother.... she is also the one I love!" I shouted at his face.

"It's either you want your son to have a better life and peaceful living or let him suffered in judgment." he smirked at me.

"Ethan choose... I will protect the two of you. If you accept to be Asher's brother instead of father then you have a will to live with him."

Kinuyom ko ang palad ko at humagalpak sa sinasabi niya.

"Aalis na lang kami ni Asher." I told him.

"You still doesn't know the power I hold. I can frame you up for killing your beloved one." my father chuckled and slap me.

I look at my mother and she just whispered "Protect Asher."

"Just obey what I want, and Asher future will be secured." I was defeated again.

Sana nandito ka pa. Kailangan ka namin ng anak mo.

I never regret being Asher's father, what I regret is him being with me.

Those teenager should just enjoy their life, not to hold a responsibility at a young age.

Being a parent is so hard, lalo na if di ka financially stable.

"Now... teach him how to say "Kuya" not "Papa"." huling sabi niya bago umalis sa kwarto namin ni Asher.

Lumuhod ako at nagsimulang umiyak. Agad naman akong niyakap ni Mommy.

"Tara... kahit sa huling sandali makita ni Asher ang totoo niyang ina." My mom kiss my forehead and smile bitterly.

Ito na ang huling araw na madadalaw ni Asher ang tunay niyang ina. Kasi pagbabawalan na kami ni Daddy pumunta dito.