"Mamu," Thirdy said as he clung onto me. "Dada wants to play barbie po with Charm."
Tumango ako at umupo sa harapan niya. I brushed his hair backwards and let him sit on my lap. "Yes, Baby."
"But I want to play cars..." Lumabi ito at itinuro si RJ at Charmaine na kasalukuyang binibihisan ang isang barbie na binili namin kahapon sa mall.
Charmaine giggled nang maglagay ng tiara si RJ sa ulo nito at umikot-ikot pa na parang prinsesa. Tahimik akong ngumiti at bumaling kay Thirdy. "Mamu will play with Thirdy instead, would you like that?"
Kumunot ang noo ni Thirdy. "But cars are for guys, Mamu."
"I know, baby. But Charmaine looks so happy." Inginuso ko ang kanyang kambal na ngayon ay buhat-buhat ni RJ at itinatapon sa ere. "You want Charm to be happy, right?"
Sunod-sunod ang pagtango ni Thirdy qat maiging tinignan si RJ at Charmaine. He immediately removed my hand at agad lumapit kay Charmaine at RJ. Napangiti ako.
"Dada!" agad sumigaw si Thirdy at lumapit kay RJ. Tumalima naman ang kanyang ama at nilapitan ito.
"Yes, big boy?" RJ replied as he kissed Thirdy on his left cheek.
"I want to play barbie with Dada and Charm!" Thirdy squeaked.
My little family...
Ilang minuto pa ay naglalaro na silang tatlo. My heart swelled with love and contentment. This is the view I want to see for the rest of my life. Alam ko namang malabo pa ito. Pero sa ngayon, kuntento na akong makita ang aking mga anak na masaya kasama ang kanilang tatay.
A loud beep from my cellphone distracted me from watching the three of them play. Agad ko itong sinagot nang nakita kong si Dean ang tumatawag.
"Teng," his deep voice welcomed me from the other line.
"Dean," I sighed. Saglit akong umalis sa garden at pumasok sa loob para makausap ng maayos ang aking kapatid.
"Andyan daw si RJ." Hindi iyon tanong. It was a statement.
"Yup. He found me here."
"Kasi sinabi ko."
Wala akong gustong gawin kay Dean ngayon kundi ang sakalin siya.
"I can kill you, Dean." I said in a gritted teeth.
Humalakhak lang ito habang ako ay naggagalaiti sa inis. "Love you, Maine! Sila Tatay ang nagsabi sa akin sa sabihin ko daw. Nagtatanong lang sila kung nagkita na kayo dyan." Dinig ko na humikab siya kaya napilitan akong ibaba na ang tawag.
I was about to go to the twins when I saw RJ leaning on the wall. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibaba kong labi at tumingin sa kanya.
He's still mad at me, alright. Mag-iisang linggo na nang nalaman niyang may anak kaming dalawa at simula noon ay halos bula lang ako sa paningin niya. Impit akong ngumiti sa kanya.
"Where's Thirdy and Charmaine?" I asked while playing with my hands.
"Nasa kwarto. Manonood daw sila ng cartoons."
Tumango ako sa kanya. Unable to speak with him, nagpaalam akong umakyat muna sa aming mga anak.
Bago ako makalampas sa kanya ay hinawakan niya ang aking braso, causing me to stop.
"What is it?" I asked calmly.
"Maine..." he whispered my name like it was a prayer. Napapikit ako sa lamyos ng kanyang boses.
Nanatili akong tahimik, tinitignan siya ng maigi.
"Uuwi ako ng Pilipinas. Isasama ko ang mga anak ko."
I expected this to happen. I should have expected this to happen. But the sting in my heart wouldn't just go away. Alam ko namang wala akong karapatang magalit but imagining my kids so far from me will scar me forever.
"RJ... I want more time with my kids." I know I'm too selfish but I just couldn't risk the distance.
"You had your time, Nicomaine!" RJ shouted. "Now I want my time. My time with Charmaine and Theodore...
... and I also want my time with you."
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Am I just hearing things?
"You heard me right. Hindi ako papayag na hindi tayo magkakasamang umuwi. Either I'm going with my kids or I'll kidnap you. I'm fine with both, Wife." he smirked.
"Hindi pa ako handang bumalik, RJ." I admitted. "Takot akong may mangyari sa mga anak ko. You know how twisted your ex-girlfriend is."
"Do not fucking forget that I am your husband. I will risk my life for my family."
"I will not risk my twins, RJ."
"They are also mine, Maine. Just let me father them and be a good husband to you. I will marry you again, Maine. This time, wala nang hiwalayan."
Nagsasalita siya na parang hindi kami naghiwalay. Deep down, nagustuhan ko ang mga sinasabi niya. But part of me doesn't trust him. How can he forgive that easily? After all that I did? He's still willing to be with me even though I am this broken and wretched?
This careless guy!
"Sigurado ka ba? I'm a mess, Richard. You should know it by know. I'm selfish. A coward who cannot even stand up for her own family!"
He immediately hugged me and felt his lips on my forehead.
"Even though you're broken, I'd have you all over again, Maine."
***
A/N: Happy Easter Guys! Sorry sobrang late na nito. Busy ako talaga lately. :(
BINABASA MO ANG
Careless (MaiChard) - COMPLETED
FanfictionA story of them. Her - who sacrificed herself in the process just to keep him safe, even if it means leaving him Him - Who is willing to forget everything just to be with her. Careless. Both of them are. (c) aldenology |
