Kabanata 49

I drove to the location that Etienne sent me. Mabuti na lang na sinend n'ya kaagad ito bago ko man ibaba ang tawag. I don't want to make empty promises but I will come back for him. Aayusin ko lang ang gusot ng mga Reverio.

Kabado pa ako nang makita ang matayog na building sa harap ko. It was relatively small compared to the mansion but I don't think that Dayanara would even care about it.

The gloomy surrounding of the building enervated my being. Wala na talagang pag-asa na maayos pa ang pamilya namin. It has to end already or else it would only plummet to our family's doomsday. Ayoko naman na hanggang sa paglaki ay problema pa rin ito ni Leven. It would really help if this ends with us. Hindi ko hahayaan na lumaki si Leven na dala-dala ang problema na binigay ni Alfos.

The mansion was eerie and quiet, ang tanging maririnig mo lamang dito ay ang bulong ng malamig na hangin. It is as if whispering that I should go back. Kailangan ko na ipihit ang aking mga paa pabalik sa aking sasakyan. The walk towards the entrance made me more determined though. Nag-mistulang ghost town ang pakiramdam sa loob ng building.

I couldn't renege now. Nandito na ako sa harap ng pintuan nila. Isang katok ko lang ay malalaman ko na ang katotohanan mula sa kanila at kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay ang gulo pa rin ni Alfos; hindi n'ya kayang ayusin ang sarili n'yang gusot. I would finally end their reigning terror in my life.

Ang hirap din kasi kapag may namumuong galit sa dibdib mo. Hindi ka mabubuhay nang payapa kapag nagpakain ka rito. It's indeed easier to forgive than let anyone terrorized you with their wrong doings. Pero kahit mas madaling magpatawad, dapat lang na handa na tayo kung sakaling dadating ang panahon na mapapatawad na natin ang mga taong may ginawang masama sa atin. You really can't force forgiveness because it will only hurt you more than heal you.

May narinig akong pagbagsak ng isang babasagin sa sahig. I covered my ears and yelped in surprise. Napalingon ako sa direksyon kung saan galing 'yon. I ran towards the door to check if Dayanara was there. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang nandoon nga sila.

I saw Dayanara badly bruised while Mareena was crying in the corner. Isang basag na vase ang nasa gitna nila, Dayanara's eyes were bloodshot as she kept throwing different things on the floor. Hinahayaan n'ya lang na tumili si Mareena nang tumili. It pained me to see them both in this state because of Alfos. Hindi rin nakatulong na wala siya rito upang makita ang resulta ng kagagawan n'ya.

"Ano p-pa ba ang kulang sa akin?! Lahat naman ay binigay ko! Lahat naman ay sinunod ko! May sakit na nga siya ay nagawa n'ya pang maghanap ng iba!" nagdudusang litanya ni Dayanara habang patuloy na humahagulgol.

I hate her.

The world is a witness to how the hatred in my body overflows for this woman. Sinira n'ya ang pamilya na mayroon sana ako. My beloved mother suffered because of her. I lost my sister because of her. Pero hindi ko alam bakit sumabay ang tulo ng aking mga luha nang makitang sugatan siya.

She clearly needed help. Yet no one can help her if she doesn't want to. Siya lang din ang makakatulong sa sarili at kung hindi siya hihingi sa iba - mahihirapan din kaming tulungan siya.

"Dayanara," I tried to calm her down by talking passively. "Ibaba mo 'yang hawak mo. Let's talk, okay?"

"N-nasaan si Alfos?" She was trembling. Hawak-hawak n'ya ang piraso ng vase na nabasag kanina.

Pinanawan ng kulay ang mukha ko. I took a deep breath before answering. "Wala siya rito ngayon, Dayanara. Please drop the piece of vase, nasusugatan ka na. . ."

Patuloy ang pulang likido sa pagkawala mula sa kan'yang kamay. I wanted to go near her but I was also cautious. Hindi dahil baka masaktan n'ya ako kundi dahil baka saktan n'ya
ang sarili n'ya. Dayanara kept crying and crying until she slowly succumbed to her emotions. Unti-unti siyang napaupo.

"S-sorry. . ." she cried, nanginginig ang buong katawan. "I'm so sorry. . ."

Her apology isn't easy to accept because those she had wronged already left this world. Tanging kami na lang na iniwan ng mga taong nasaktan n'ya nang sobra ang narito.

I could not forgive her. And maybe I will never be able to give her the proper closure for her peace of mind. Pero sa ngayon ay dapat ko siyang maintindihan.

"Dayanara," panga-alo ko sa kan'ya. I meticulously walked towards her and removed the piece of vase on her hands.

Sinikap ko rin na tanggalin ang namumuong dugo sa kan'yang kamay sa pamamagitan ng damit ko. She flinched, it was obvious that she was hurting both emotionally and physically right now.

"Let him go. Ang tagal na. Sobra na. Huwag mong hayaan na mangyari ito kay Mareena. Do you want her to go the same path that you did? The lonely and painful path that you suffered? All the guilt that made you like this? D-do you remember Solstice? W-what about your sister -my mother? Ang daming sakripisyo ang nasayang para lang dito, Dayanara. . ."

And all for a man like Alfos? Someone as selfish, abusive and self-centered as him? My eyes felt the incoming tears, hot liquid streamed down my cheeks.

"Tama na, Dayanara. Pagod ka na. Pagod na kami. Huwag mong hahayaan na lumaki si Mareena na iniisip na tama ang ginagawa mo. N-na kaya mong sirain ang buhay mo at buhay ng iba para sa lalaki. . .we are not born to be like that. We were not here to solely cater to our opposite gender. We were made equal to them, Dayanara. Huwag kang magpa-alila sa kan'ya."

Her lips quivered as she looked towards my direction. I could see the long trail of suffering in her eyes. Alam ko na kahit siya ay pinagdududahan na rin ang sarili n'ya.

I thought she wouldn't give up. Akala ko ay mapapaaway pa ako dahil alam ko rin na may nagawa siya noon. She even abused me when I was a child. I was physically and emotionally abused by her. Hindi naging maganda ang pagpapalaki sa aming magkakapatid dahil sa kan'ya.

Yet, I couldn't see the reason for me to make her suffer as much as I did. Forgiveness doesn't mean she will not be accountable for her actions; it means letting life treat her the way she should be treated with my hands being clean.

Hindi ako gaganti dahil buhay na ang gagawa n'on. Kung tunay ngang masama ang nagawa n'ya, hindi naman ito papalampasin ng mismong buhay. It may be unfair that her punishment will not be from me or from anyone that she had harmed —but she will learn through the process of giving herself the guilt and remorse from her past actions and decisions. Mas masakit 'yon. Walang makakatapat doon.

Mareena was in the corner of the room, hiccuping and covering her mouth to suppress her sobs. My heart ached as I sighed. Nakakalungkot na sa away ng dalawang magulang, may isang anak na naiipit at nasasaktan.

I don't want Leven to experience any of this.

Kumalma na si Dayanara ngunit tulala pa rin siya. Nakasandal ang kan'yang ulo sa pader habang ang kan'yang luha ay patuloy lang ang pagbalisbis sa kan'yang pisngi. Ako naman ay lumapit sa kapatid ko at niyakap siya.

I was glad that no one got hurt miserably. Akala ko pa naman ay baka may mangyari sa akin. Sa aming dalawa ng kapatid ko. Subalit, baka pagod na rin talaga si Dayanara. Alfos probably exhausted every spark of her soul. Her frail state made me feel that she had enough and she just wanted to take a rest already. From everything.

Hindi nagtagal ay nauulinigan ko na ang mga sasakyan na paparating. The sirens were loud enough to reverberate through the room. Hinayaan ko ang mga tao na pumasok upang tulungan kami. I know that the help came from Etienne. Siya rin naman ang nagbigay ng lokasyon na ito. That's why I was confident that even if something bad may happen —help will be there.

In life, we will always face battles-we win some and sometimes no matter how hard we try, and how much we strive —there are battles that we can't conquer. Hindi natin kahinaan 'yon. Hindi tayo naging talunan n'on. The battle that we've lost is probably a path we had to take in order to conquer another battle wherein our most prized goal lies. At hindi kailangan maging mag-isa palagi sa mga laban sa buhay. You will always have comrades —you just have to choose them wisely.

At hindi porke't hindi nila kinaya ay hindi mo na kakayanin. The same goes with just because you had it hard doesn't mean it won't be easy for them. Life is fair at being unfair, most of the time.

The sound of the sirens came from an ambulance. I took a quick look at the window and saw more people arriving. When they finally located us, they only took care of Dayanara who was bruised and the shaking Mareena who probably needed to rest too. Nagtataka ang mga tao na tumulong sa amin ngunit hinayaan na lang din sila. We were almost unscathed, kaya naman hindi ko masisisi ang pagtataka sa kanilang mga mata.

"L-lavy!"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. Isang hinihingal at umiiyak na Etienne ang bumungad sa harap ko. He was trembling as he observed me from my head down to my toes. Tinitingnan kung may daplis man lang ba ako.

"Nothing happened," I sighed, but looked at him with assurance. "I'm okay. We're okay, for now. . ."

"D-duguan ka. . ."

His eyes darted towards my clothes. Totoo naman na may bahid ito ng dugo pero hindi ito mula sa akin. It was from Dayanara.

"It's from her. Hindi ako nasaktan, Etienne."

Patuloy na gumugulong ang luha sa mga mata ni Etienne. "P-paano kapag nasaktan k-ka? Paano kami ni Leven?"

"Etienne?"

Umiiyak siya. Hindi ko magawang ibuka ang labi ko dahil sa gulat. I know that Etienne still cares for me. I'm the mother of his child. Pero hindi ko inakalang iiyakan n'ya ako nang ganito.

The soft boy that I used to play with was showing himself once again. No walls. No manipulation. Only the boy who wanted to be loved.

He was wailing in front of me. Namumula ang gilid ng kan'yang mga mata at kanina pa siya nakatitig sa akin. The guilt inside him was probably making him more vulnerable.

"T-the moment that you ended the call, Lavy. . ." Etienne sobbed. Lumapit siya sa akin at unti-unti akong niyakap. He rested his head on my chest and began crying louder.

My heart was thumping against my chest. Kinakabahan ako na baka ramdam ito ni Etienne. I was scared it was reverberating to him.

"It was the moment that I realized I can't be content with what we have right now. I don't want to live my life knowing that I had the chance to still love you but I didn't. I didn't want to live in the past. I know I did you wrong -terribly wrong by not listening to you. . ."

"H-hey, tapos na 'yon. Okay naman kami ni Leven. You're trying your best to give him more love. Etienne. . ." I trailed off.

"It's not enough. . ." Unti-unting umangat ang kan'yang ulo. This time, his forehead leans towards mine. I could feel his heavy breathing. "I want to build a family with you. I want to love you again, Lavy. This time, I will love you not because you saw me as a victim or someone you're indebted to. . . I want you to love me as Etienne Soteiro - as the man that will turn you into a Soteiro."

My heart was enveloped with warmth. I wanted to be stone hearted. I tried, really. Pero bakit nga ba hindi namin subukan muli? What we had stems from a misunderstanding. Pareho naming hindi ginusto 'yon. And knowing that he was crying as he thought that maybe this was the last time that he'll see me made me feel that he did still love me.

He still does. And I still do too.

Gusto ko makinig sa ibang tao. I want our relationship to stay as it is because it's less complicated. Pero hindi ko rin nakikita ang sarili ko na nagmamahal ng iba. At aamin na rin ako ngayon na hindi ko nakikita si Etienne na may ibang minamahal bukod sa amin ni Leven. . .at sa mga magiging anak pa namin.

"Please give me the c-chance to love you again. . ." pagsusumamo n'ya. His real vulnerable self unveiled in front of me. Wala sa harapan ko ang Etienne na takot masaktan kaya pilit na ginagawang masama ang imahe. He was the same boy who played with me when we were kids in spite of my initial response to him.

"Wala akong pakialam kung pagsisibakin mo ako ng kahoy, kung kailangan k-kong magmakaawa kay Adren para sa basbas n'ya ay gagawin ko! A-aamin ko rin na mas g-gwapo. . ." Ngumuso si Etienne na tila nagtatampo. "Mas gwapo naman talaga ako kay Caer, Lavy."

I laughed. "Gago ka ba? Hindi naman ako madalas magluto saka bakit kita pagsisibakin? Saka kahit naman lumuhod ka kay Adren, wala na siyang magagawa dahil may Leven na tayo. And about Caer. . ." I acted like I was thinking deeply.

Etienne groaned. "Bakit pinagiisipan mo pa?!"

"Caer is handsome!"

"Lavy!"

"But I love you. . ." I let the words out of my mouth, my eyes finally forming tears as I smiled at him. "That even though there were years that I didn't see you, touch you or even speak with you. . .my feelings didn't change. Sure, I resent you for not listening to me. I thought it was unfair that you're living a life without thinking about us. Pero alam ko rin naman na may kasalanan ako dahil natakot ako e. Naduwag ako na b-baka itakwil mo kami ni Leven. I-ilang beses na kasi a-akong natakwil? I d-didn't want Leven to experience what I had to go through as a child. I didn't want him to feel like an abandoned child. As much as you didn't fully trust me, I didn't trust you too. Pareho lang tayong kinain ng pride at ego natin. . ."

We were not kids anymore. I also don't want to miss the chance of forming a family with him. Hinawakan ni Etienne ang magkabilang pisngi ko habang nakapatong ang kan'yang noo sa aking noo. His tears touched my cheeks as I closed my eyes and felt the rhythm of his pulse; revealing that it was still the same heart that loved me when we were in senior high school and until now. I held on his hand tighter.

There are a lot of types when it comes to love. What we had was the correct love but at the wrong time. Hindi kami magkasundo at magkatagpo sa gitna noon dahil hindi pa 'yon ang tamang oras para sa aming dalawa. Our love needs both of us to grow and mature to understand that we will have our own faults when it comes to our relationship; what matters most is how we can still find forgiveness in our hearts because love lives in it.

His lips touched me, and I let him control my senses. I parted my lips so he could easily have access to my entire mouth. I could feel his tongue taking over and it made me gasp for air. His manly scent invades my nostrils as I tilted my head to match the intensity of his kisses.

Oh. . .I let out a soft sound. Nang humiwalay kami sa isa't isa ay pulang-pula si Etienne. Hindi rin siya makatingin sa akin. He touched his reddish lip and I gulped.

I fucking wanted more.

Pero puta. Nasa maling lugar kami. Heat enveloped my body. Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil pakiramdam ko ay nagiinit ako ngayon.

Etienne veered his sight towards me. Nanglaki ang mga mata n'ya. His lips gradually formed a small smirk.

"S-sorry, sabik lang. . ." he shyly murmured, he let his thumb slide over my lips. "I'll try to be more gentle next time. . ." his voice sounded like a dream.

Namungay ang kan'yang mga mata at nahihiyang nag-iwas ng tingin pero kitang-kita ko ang maliit na ngisi sa labi n'ya.

Natulala naman ako. Ilang beses akong kumurap-kurap bago pinakiramdaman ang puso kong tumatalbog sa sobrang kaba.

Leven, halik pa lang ng tatay mo pero binibilang ko na agad kung ilan ang kakayanin ko pang kapatid mo.

Napailing na lang ako. Malala ka na, Lavender.

A month after that incident, nanatili sa amin si Mareena. She's always skeptical and I can't blame her. Adren is still grieving over the loss of his child. I sent him my condolences and made sure that those who have harmed Arrisea would go behind bars for as long as they live. Pero alam ko naman na kulang 'yon para mapawi ang lungkot n'ya. Hindi ko rin inaasahan na si Dayanara mismo ang susuko sa mga pulis. Alfos was even dragged to the police station, I saw it via a televised program.

"You can't do this to me! Isa akong Reverio!" angal ni Alfos habang pilit siyang pinapayuko ng mga pulis upang ipasok sa sasakyan.

He had lost his class. What a shame. He probably never even had one. Nakakahiya na siya ang naging ama ko.

Napasimsim ako sa aking wine glass habang pinapanood ang pag-posas sa kan'ya. It was satisfying but also unnerving at the same time. Kulang pa 'yan para sa lahat ng ginawa n'ya. We'll make sure that during his time in his cell, he would not only repent for what he has done -he would also be eaten by the guilt that we could have been a better family if only he wasn't selfish and he didn't let greed consume him.

"Ano na ang balak mo ngayon?" Etienne appeared behind me, his arms enveloping my waist.

Nasa isang rest house kami ngayon. Leven was already asleep because he had fun with his grandpa. Si Adren na nga lang ang kulang dito para masabing binuo muli namin ang mga Reverio. Both Alfos and Dayanara are currently in jail while waiting for their sentences. Wala na silang makakapitan dahil kahit si Lolo ay pinutol na ang ugnayan namin sa kanila.

"I know that we're okay now. Pero okay lang ba kung hintayin natin si Kuya Adren na maging okay na rin? I don't want him to feel that he is left alone, Etienne."

Hindi naman tago sa akin na sabik na rin si Etienne na maging pamilya na talaga kami. Although the process is a bit complicated than how it is usually; wala naman talagang mahirap para kay Etienne pagdating sa mga dapat i-proseso.

I also want it to be announced if we're married already. Mas okay na isipin ng iba na tinago namin si Leven sa media at halos sa lahat dahil gusto namin ng tahimik na pamumuhay.

In order to get the closure that I want, I decided to visit Dayanara. Nang makita ko siya sa damit na akala ko ay magpapakalma sa akin ay lalo lang akong nakaramdam ng lungkot.

She looks like my mother.

I look at her frail and weakened state. . . I've realized that no matter how cruel she was - she also didn't want this to happen. The pain and guilt was plastered across her face.

My heart sank.

Hindi ko lubusang maisip na makikita si mama sa isang damit na alam kong magtatanggal sa kalayaan n'ya. Pero kapag naiisip ko ang nangyari kay Solstice at sa aking ina, bumabalik sa akin na dapat ay hindi ako makaramdam ng awa.

"P-please take care of Mareena for me." Dayanara pleaded, nakayuko lang siya. "A-alam kong galit ka sa akin. K-kung makakatulong ay may isa akong cabinet sa bahay kung sana nakalagay lahat ng mga -"

"We know, all the receipts and evidence are in our hands now. Binigay din ni Mareena sa akin."

"I loved Alfos because for once I thought I had a reason to live," Dayanara smiled. "Palagi akong nasa likod ng mama mo, Lavender. I was the second option, the abandoned choice and the least favorite. Kaya nung isang gabi na napagkamalan ako ni Alfos na ang mama mo, isa 'yon sa pinakamasayang alaala na mayroon ako. I felt beautiful. . .even if it wasn't my identity in the first place."

"Minahal ka ni mama. Kahit naging traydor kayo sa kan'ya. Mas pinili n'yang mabuhay s-sa malayo para lang sumaya kayo."

Dayanara peered at me with sullen eyes. "Hindi ako hihingi ng tawad sa 'yo dahil hindi ko. . .I don't deserve it. Hindi mo kailangan mapatawad ako, Lavender. Gustuhin ko man humingi ng pasensya -ayoko naman mapilitan ka na mapatawad ako. I killed your sister. I was one of the reasons why your mother was abused. Ako rin ang isa sa dahilan bakit siya namatay. There's no reason for you to forgive me. . ."

"Dayanara. . ." I sighed.

"Pero h-hayaan mo sana na bisitahin ako ni Mareena. . ." her eyes formed tears. "K-kahit isang beses sa isang taon. Nagmamakaawa ako, Lavender. . ."

"No," I shook my head.

Her shoulders slumped. Kitang-kita ko ang pagkadurog n'ya. Napalunok naman ako at pinaglaruan ang suot kong bracelet. I touch the pearls to calm myself.

Agad kong dinugtungan ang sinabi ko. "No, because I don't want to be involved with you anymore. Si Mareena ang may desisyon kung bibisita siya o hindi. Let her decide for herself. Let her heal first too."

Tumango si Dayanara. Pinahid ang kan'yang mga luha at unti-unting umangat ang tingin sa akin.

"S-salamat."

"Mareena loves you despite everything. . ." I reminded her, slowly ascending from my seat. "Good riddance, Dayanara."

It wasn't the best confrontation scene. It would probably fall short compared to some of the most televised confrontations of two women. Pero kailangan ba talagang palaging maging agresibo? I learned that the hard way. That you can be calm despite the emotions stirring inside you.

Umalis na ako roon at sumakay sa sasakyan. I took a deep breath before proceeding to drive to another location. Hindi tulad kay Dayanara, wala akong balak kausapin si Alfos. Hahayaan ko talaga siyang mabulok sa kulungan. I have no plans of talking to him. Kahit pa siguro pilitin ako nila Lolo ay bukal sa loob kong tatanggihan lahat ng Imbitasyon para magkausap kami ni Alfos. He was the root of everything. Siya lahat ang nanguna. Dayanara, Tatiana and My family members were the collateral damage.

Both of them are facing a lot of charges. Nawalan na rin sila ng mga suporta. Wala na talaga silang kawala sa mga kasalanan nila.

A part of me wanted to see them suffer more but I do think this is already more than enough. Hindi ako ang may desisyon kung paano sila dapat maparusahan. Pero ngayon na sigurado akong sa bilangguan na sila mananatili, kampante na ako na wala na silang masasaktan sa amin.

Dumiretso ako sa opisina ni Lolo pagkatapos. Although he's almost retired, gumagabay pa rin siya kay Adren pagdating sa negosyo. Lalo na ngayon na lugmok si Kuya at nagkahiwalay pa sila ni Arrisea.

"Hihintayin ko lang na kumalma si Adren. I will provide the lifestyle that Mareena wants. . ." Lolo said when I asked him what his plans were for the company. "Hahayaan ko siya mamili kung gusto n'ya ba sa kompanya o hindi. . ."

Lolo sighed exasperatedly. "I am a little too late, aren't I? Nagkagulo ang lahat dahil sa mga paniniwala ko. Alfos grew up thinking he could get away with everything because of me. I spoiled him because he was my only son. Tuwang-tuwa pa ako na lalaki ang naging anak ko. I was too proud to admit that I was not a good father to him and I am not even a good grandfather. . ."

"Tapos naman na po," I said. "What matters most is you're trying to redeem yourself. Please be kind to Mareena, she needs it the most. Bata pa lang siya. . ."

"Do you think she'll be happy if she gets shares in the company?"

Umiling-iling ako.

"Natalo kami sa business proposal pa lang, I think that speaks a lot. Pero ikaw po, tanungin n'yo kung gusto n'ya ba. . ."

Bumaling naman siya sa akin ng tingin. Tumikhim siya bago magtanong. "Ikaw ba? Do you want to have control on some of our family's assets?"

Umiling ako. "P'wede bang cash na lang? Pagod na talaga ako makipag-transaction sa kompanya. Hello? Doctor po ako, hindi man halata?" I laughed.

Nakakalimutan yata nilang doctor na rin ako. Wala rin talaga akong hilig sa business. My heart goes to helping people to get well, especially kids because when Leven was young, I always cried whenever he got sick. Parang dugtong kasi ang bituka naming dalawa.

Napabungtonghininga si Lolo. "I'm so sorry, Lavender. Hospital ba ang gusto mo? Regaluhan kita?"

"Lolo, p'wede bang peace of mind na lang ibigay mo? Mas kailangan ko kasi 'yon." I jested and shook my head to dismiss his idea. "Okay na po talaga ako. Kay Mareena at Adren na lang po kayo bumawi."

Lumamlam ang mga mata ni Lolo. "Pare-pareho kayong magkakapatid na may mabuting puso. . ."

Lahat po kasi ng kasamaan nasa magulang na namin. I covered my mouth to suppress what I was supposed to say.

"I'm already in euphoria, Lolo. I have my son and my future husband with me. I couldn't ask for more."

"Husband?" Namilog ang mga mata ni Lolo.

I shrugged. "Wala po siyang choice. Subukan n'ya lang tanggihan ako. Ipapakita ko sa kan'ya ang dugong Reverio." I chuckled.

Tumawa na lang din si Lolo.

My heart was filled with warmth knowing that even if my life was complicated - it really does end. Natatapos talaga ang mga delubyo sa buhay. Hindi man ngayon, hindi man bukas - palaging may balang araw. At masaya akong narito ako ngayon sa araw na masaya na ako.

Umuwi na ako pagkatapos no'n. Hindi ko lang inaasahan na makitang nagi-iyakan ang mag-ama ko sa sala. Etienne was hugging Leven who had tears stained on his cheeks.

"B-bakit?" nagaalalang tanong ko habang dali-daling pinuntahan silang dalawa.

"Leven said. . ." Etienne swallowed hard. "Leven wants to say something. . ."

"Huh? A-ano?" Lumingon ako sa anak ko.

Leven looked at me with his eyes still producing tears. "Mama, c-can you still be with papa even if he had hurt you before? K-kasi ayoko naman na sumama ka sa kan'ya na nasasaktan ka pa. I want a family, mama. But what I want above everything else is your happiness. . ."

"Leven. . ." I uttered even if his speech made me tongue-tied.

"M-matalino ako, mama. May kumon kaya ako. . ." Pinalis ni Leven ang luha n'ya. "Papa told me that even if the both of you are okay, he still wants to hear it from you. . ."

Nakapagusap na kami ni Etienne. Pero labis ang tuwa na naramdaman ko dahil tinanong n'ya pa si Leven tungkol dito. Napakadalang na tinatanong ng mga magulang ang anak nila bago gumawa ng desisyon. And I'm glad that we are the type of parent that we consider what Leven thinks.

Napangiti naman ako. "Of course. I still want him back. Ikaw ba, Leven?"

Agad na tumango si Leven, nangingislap ang mga mata. "Opo! Mahal ko rin si Papa!"

Leven hugged Etienne tightly. Pushing his cheeks further to his father's cheeks. Tuluyan naman na lumuha si Etienne. He cried in the arms of his child. And in that exact moment -I knew that he didn't need anyone else's opinion about us. . .because from now on, he will only listen to Leven and to my own words. Our love will always affirm that no matter how much the past has wrecked us, we still had our beloved future.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪♀❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜
The next will be the last chapter + Epilogue and Seniors series will finally end (for now), thank you so much!
ᥫ᭡ li