An Honest Mistake

Chapter 24

Chapter 24 - First priority

Ang dapat na tahimik naming mother-daughter date ni Laurine ay naging Girl's Night Out. Hindi na kami tinantanan ni Carly at ni Donna. Sa table kung saan kami nakain na rin umupo ang dalawa and asked me questions.

"Kaya ba ayaw mo sa mga pinsan ko?" Tanong ni Carly.

Umiling ako. "H-hindi yun... Hindi yun ang dahilan." Sagot ko.

Tinignan naman maigi ni Carly si Laurine na nilalaro ang bagong laruan na binili ko sa kanya. Kinakabahan ako sa klase ng tingin niya kay Laurine. Pakiramdam ko ay anytime soon, malalaman niya na pamangkin niya ito at si Theon ang ama.

"Why do I feel something inside me whenever I look at her?" Tanong ulit ni Carly.

Carly caught Laurine's attention. Laurine smiled at Carly and that's where I saw Carly's shock expression again.

"Fuck." Mura ni Carly.

Agad namang tinakpan ni Donna ang tenga ng anak ko. Napa-face palm ako sa pagmumura ni Carly. God, please sana hindi narinig ng anak ko yun. I don't want her to know what's the meaning of that word yet.

"I mean, sorry. She... She looks like a girl version of Theon when smiling." Aniya, still amazed.

Nilingon naman ako ni Carly at ganoon din si Donna. "You have to be honest, Freya. Is she my niece?" Diretsong tanong nito.

Hindi ako agad nakasagot. Telling Carly now means that I'll be raising the chances of Theon meeting his daughter higher. Hindi naman sa wala akong balak ipaalam kay Theon. I just want a proper time. I can't handle telling him now lalo na't nagiging iba na ang pakikitungo ni Theon sakin.

"Freya!" Inip na tawag sakin ni Carly.

"Promise not to tell Theon yet." Sagot ko, not even giving her a single look.

Hindi sila sumagot dalawa hanggang sa tignan ko sila. Carly gave me a look of disbelief. Of course she would give me that expression. Sinabi ko lang naman na 'wag ipaalam sa pinsan niya ang tungkol sa anak namin.

"Are you out of your mind, Freya?" Tanong niya sakin.

"Seryoso ako, Carly." I answered.

Humawak si Donna sa braso ni Carly. "Ma'am Carly, sa tingin ko tama rin na h'wag muna sabihin kay Sir. Theon. Mas maganda naman po na kay Freya mismo nanggaling. Hindi natin alam ang buong kwento kung tayo ang magsasabi kay Sir. Theon." Paliwanag ni Donna.

"But, Donna---"

"Alam kong may karapatan si Theon. May iniiwasan lang akong mangyari, Carly. Understand me, please." Sabi ko rito.

She sigh in defeat at muling tinignan ang anak ko. "Fine, I'll be with you." Aniya at nilingon ako. "But I want Theon to know about this as soon as possible. It would be unfair for both of them to remain clueless, Freya."