Man and Wife (Wifely Duties 2) - Published by PHR

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

*We forgive, not for them.

But for our own peace.*

***

"MOMMY, how was your vacation? Did you have fun?" Riana asked sweetly.

Hindi alam ni Agatha kung paano sasagot. So, Reeve just told them that she's having a vacation?

Hinaplos niya ang mukha nito. "Oh, baby. Mas masaya pa rin ako ngayong kasama ko ulit kayo. I missed you all so, so much."

Parang sasabog sa saya ang puso ni Agatha. Hindi niya na ininda ang bahagyang pagkirot ng sentido. Basta ngayon ay katabi niya ang lahat ng anak. Nakaupo sa kaliwa niya si Rainiel. Sa kanan si Riana. While she's cuddling both Adam and Rade.

Napangiti si Riana. Her cute dimples showing. "I missed you a lot, too, Mommy! Very, very!" Riana giggled. "But Daddy kept us company while you're on vacation. We had a Daddy time!"

"Two weeks lang naman natin kasama si Daddy. The rest, hindi naman niya tayo pinansin katulad dati," salubong ang kilay ni Rainiel. "He just gave us time when Lolo and Grandpa took his work away. He loves his work more than us!"

"Rainiel," nanaway ang tono ng ina ni Agatha. "What did I tell you? You should be kinder to your Daddy, right?"

Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ng anak. Lumabi ito at hindi na nagsalita. Sumiksik ito sa kanya at yumakap sa baywang niya.

Hindi alam ni Agatha kung anong sinasabi ni Rainiel. Wala kasi talaga siyang matandaan kay Reeve. But based from his son, maybe Reeve was a very busy person.

"I hate Daddy..." narinig niyang bulong nito.

Gulat na napayuko siya sa panganay. "Anak... hindi mo dapat sinasabi iyan," she softly said. "Your Daddy is..." Saglit siyang napahinto.

Ano bang klaseng ama si Reeve? Hindi niya matandaan. But she felt that there's a need to protect Reeve's image to their son.

Napatingin siya sa Mommy niya na agad na naintindihan ang sitwasyon.

"Rainiel, apo, your Daddy loves you all. Hindi ba at iniwan niya muna ang work para sa inyo? Kasi mas gusto niya talaga kayong maalagaan habang nasa bakasyon pa ang Mommy niyo."

"Hindi naman nag-vacation si Mommy!" galit na bulalas nito. "Kung nag-vacation si Mommy, bakit siya nandito sa hospital? Sinungaling si Daddy!"

"You're bad, Kuya Rain," nakalabing sabi ni Riana. "Daddy's not a liar." Tiningala siya ng babaeng anak. "Right, Mommy? Tito Johann said that you got sick during your vacation that's why we need to visit you."

"Ahm..." biglang nalito si Agatha. Hindi pala nila napag-usapan ng kapatid at ni Reeve kung anong alam ng mga bata tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya. But clearly, they're trying to protect their innocence from what really happened to her.

"Kids, we need to keep quiet while in the hospital, alright?" her father finally spoke. "Rainiel, Riana, baba muna kayo diyan. Let's eat some snacks."

"Okay, Lolo! I'm hungry na rin," Riana agreed. Lumapit sa kanya ang anak at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. "I love you, Mommy. Get well soon."

Napangiti siya at hinalikan din ito sa pisngi. "I love you, too, baby. Kain kang marami, ha?"

"I'm not hungry. I'll stay with Mommy." Naramdaman niya ang paghigpit ng yakap ni Rainiel sa baywang niya.

"Rainiel—"