Foolish Sparks

Chapter 20: Forgive

Aeryn POV

"Mum! Over there!" Raphi cheerfully said in a thick British accent.

I chuckled at her and kneeled to give her a big kiss on her cheek before standing up and renewing my hold at her small, fragile hands. Na-aaliw ang aking anak dahil nakita niya ang isang billboard kung saan nandoon nga ang mukha ko, modelling for an international-recognized make-up brand.

"That is me, baby! That is Mummy over there." turo ko pa sakanya ang billboard.

Tila nakakagulat ang sinabi ko kaya nag-laki naman talaga ang mga chinita niyang mata. Manghang-mangha siya sa nalaman.

"You're pretty, Mum." sigaw ni Raphi habang naglalakad kami.

Nakaka-aliw talaga ang pagka-bibo niya. She has a nanny that was born here kaya naman na-adapt din niya ang accent ng mga Briton. Simula nang 2 year-old kasi siya, nag-simula na din siyang mag-play school at ngayong 4 year-old siya, nag-simula na siya ng first year niya sa pre-school.

"Oh, baby, you're like Mum, too! You're prettier than Mum, actually!" I said which made her giggle. This angel's soft voice is literally melody to my ears.

The baby I used to cuddle in my arms just years ago is a bubbly 4 year-old now. With her natural wavy brown hair that's similar to my mother, fair skin like the Almonte genes, lips and nose like mine, she could actually pass off as a foreign kid at first glance. If only she didn't have such chinky eyes that she obviously got from her father. Pati 'din ang dimples, namana.

Naalala ko pa na isang taon ko 'din siyang iniwan kina Mama at inuwi nila ito sa Pilipinas para alagaan habang nagfo-focus ako sa trabaho ko dito sa London bilang isang international fashion model. The trainings and work-outs I did were tough so I couldn't take care of her properly. Plus, it was on my contract that I had to work and be in figure three months after I gave birth.

I couldn't risk not following it... Habang buntis ako, nagpo-post ako nang mga face shots sa social media o kaya 'naman mga tanawin o studios sa London para talaga isipin ng mga tao na nag-punta lang ako sa UK para mag-train para sa career ko bilang isang international fashion model. Even though I'm quite short compared to other white models here, ang sabi nila'y bumabawi naman talaga ako sa itsura at aura.

Throughout that one year of not seeing my baby, I only flied to the Philippines two times to see her for 1 or 2 weeks in a very secretive manner. I had to make sure that I wore really convincing disguises with me. Masakit man ang mga panahon na 'yun, I was eventually able to afford my own apartment in the city and her own nanny nang nakuha ko siya ilang buwan after she turned one.

"We're here, pretty girl! You excited to eat your favourite fish and chips?" tanong ko.

She giggled and ran over to the entrance of our favourite fish and chips restaurant. Ito ang pinaka-sikat na pagkain ng mga British at ito na din ang nakasanayan niyang kainin. I feel a bit bad because she only gets to taste Filipino food whenever my parents visit. Kung sabagay, mas prefer naman talaga niya ang British food.

"I want lots of chips!" request niya kapasok namin sa loob ng restaurant.

I like it here in UK so far, honestly. Walang media na sunod nang sunod sa akin. In fact, until now, they don't even know about Raphi's existence. Ni hindi na din ako umuwi nang Pilipinas pagkatapos ko makuha uli si Raphi sa mga magulang ko.

Mayroon nga iilang Pilipino sa UK at medyo high-profile na din ako as an international fashion model but they don't go gaga over it just like how Filipinos in the Philippines do. I do wear disguises like sunglasses though, mahirap na 'din at baka picturan nila ang anak ko. I don't want them to invade my child's privacy.