No update tomorrow Sunday rest day.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Jealous

I've decided to visit Aaron in his office. Nasabi kasi niya na nagkikita pa rin sila noong babae na anak ng business partner ni Tito Axel sa trabaho. Noong magtanong ako sa kaniya. Kaya naman isang araw nagdesisyon na lang ako na puntahan siya sa opisina nila. He didn't know that I'd come so I'll just surprise him.

Talaga ba, Tristeen? Baka naman susubukan mo lang hulihin...kung wala lang nga ba talaga sila noong babae. Well, yes. Not that I don't trust Aaron... It's just that... I don't know...

"Ma'am," Mukhang bahagya pang nagulat sa presensya ko doon sa company nila ang secretary ni Aaron.

Ngumiti lang naman ako sa lalaking secretary. Single pa kaya siya? Baka pwede sila ng single ko rin na assistant sa hospital... Now I'm trying to play Cupid here. Well, I'm not really. Bigla ko na lang naisip. Kung ano-ano na lang talaga ang pumapasok sa isipan ko. Pero malay mo naman, 'di ba? Mukhang magkaedad din naman sila.

"Is Aaron here? Or still in a meeting?" I asked. Nasabi rin kasi sa akin ni Aaron na may business meeting siya ngayon.

"Uh, wala pa po si Sir, Ma'am..."

Tumango-tango ako. Mukhang nasa meeting pa nga siya. "Can I stay in his office and wait for him?"

"Oh!" Parang nataranta pa ito. "Sure, Ma'am. This way, please."

Sumunod ako sa secretary. Pumasok kami sa office ni Aaron. Simple lang naman ang office ni Aaron. Iyong usual lang. The walls were a mixture of gray and brown, and the furniture were wooden brown and some whites. It's neat and clean, and formal. Ngayon pa lang yata ako nakapunta sa office ni Aaron all these years... I smiled when I saw the picture frames that were displayed in his office.

Lumapit ako at kinuha ang isang frame na picture naming tatlo ni Aaron at Bella. May baby picture pa nga rin doon si Bella. Napangiti na lang ako. Hindi ba ito nakikita ng ibang babae kung nakapasok sila dito sa office ni Aaron? These pictures shows that he already has a family of his own... Well, he's not married...yet. At hindi naman siguro talaga nag-m-matter sa ibang babae kung may anak na ang isang lalaki... Hmm. Kahit nga may asawa na at talagang pamilyado parang wala pa rin pakialam ang ibang babae...

"Teen?"

Bumaling ako sa pintuan at ngumiti agad kay Aaron nang makita kong pumasok siya sa office niya. "Tapos na ang meeting?"

He nodded and went to me. "Yeah... You're here."

"Yes... Surprise?"

He smiled. And then he brought me to his chest and hugged me lovingly. Napangiti ako sa yakap niya sa akin.

"What brought you here? I mean... I don't really mind. I think I'm just a little surprised..."

"Hmm. I'm not that busy at the hospital today... Naisip kong bisitahin ka at ang trabaho mo rito sa opisina..." I smiled to him.

Ngumiti rin si Aaron.

"Want to have lunch together?"

"Oh. Sure, babe. You want to eat out or?"

"Pwede na rin dito na lang. Are you busy?"

Bumaba ang mga balikat ni Aaron. "Yes, sorry... Hectic day." He sighed.

I nodded in understanding. "It's all right. Is it fine for me to be here...?"

Tumango naman si Aaron. "Yeah, no prob. I went here straight after the meeting because my secretary told me that you're here."

I nodded and smiled. And then we ordered his secretary for our lunch. Pagdating ng pagkain ay kumain na rin kami ni Aaron. We talked about Bella while having lunch. And then it was just a short time dahil may meeting na uli si Aaron ng 1 PM.

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right. Babalik na rin siguro ako sa hospital. Si Lance na ang inutusan ko na sumundo kay Bella ngayon sa school. He's not busy and he misses his niece, too. Kaya baka ipapasyal niya rin si Bella mamaya sa mall. Magpapabili na naman 'yon ng toys." I sighed.

Aaron just smiled. "All right. I'll see you again later. I'm sorry hindi na kita mahahatid..."

Umiling naman ako. "It's all right. Dala ko rin naman ang sasakyan ko."

Lumabas na kami ng office ni Aaron pagkatapos. Nakasalubong pa namin sina Tito Axel nang paalis na ako. "Tito," I politely greeted Aaron's dad.

"Tristeen,"

And then my eyes went to the girl they were with. Bukod kasi kay Tito Axel ay may kasama pa siyang isa pang mas matanda lang siguro ng ilang taon kay tito na lalaki tapos iyong babae, at ilan pang mga mukhang ka meeting din nina tito o investors at members ng board. Hindi ko agad naalis ang tingin ko sa babae. She's tall and slender with her formal office dress outfit and heels. I was also wearing heels so I was also standing tall beside Aaron. Nakatingin din sa akin iyong babae.

"Uh, this is Doctor Tristeen Dela Cuesta." Tito Axel introduced.

"Oh. Of the Dela Cuesta Medical? Dr. Tristan Dela Cuesta's daughter."

Tito Axel nodded to one of his board members.

Ngumiti rin ako at bumati.

"How's your father, hija?" May nangumusta pa kay daddy.

And I politely answered their few questions. Bago ako tuluyan nang nakapagpaalam.

Hinatid na lang ako ng secretary ni Aaron hanggang sa basement kung nasaan ang sasakyan ko. Nagulat pa ako nang hinabol pa pala ako ni Aaron. Akala ko pumunta na siya sa meeting niya... "What...?" Nagtaka naman ako.

Mula sa tingin niya sa akin ay bumaling muna siya sandali sa secretary niya. Sinabihan niya itong mauna na and to also prepare his things in the conference room. Sumunod naman agad ang secretary at iniwan na kami doon ni Aaron sa tahimik na basement parking.

"I just...realized something..." Aaron said.

"What is it?"

"Kaya ka ba nagpunta rito...to also see the daughter of our business partner?" maingat na tanong sa akin ni Aaron.

My lips parted. But then I smiled. "What..." ngiti ko.

Aaron sighed. "Kilala kita, Teen."

And then I remembered a distant memory from the past. When Aaron was the president of our school's student council. I was so jealous of the pretty girl that was part of their council before. At obvious na may gusto rin ito sa boyfriend ko. I was such a jealous and protective girlfriend. And I was just scared that Aaron might look at other girls...

I smiled to him. "So...?"

Humakbang pa siya palapit sa akin. Now we stood close in front of each other. And then he took my hand and held it. Bago siya tumingin sa mga mata ko. "I know that this might be late, or long overdue...but I still want to do it. I'm sorry, kung ngayon lang. I was drowned in work...and focused on being a father to our daughter... And hardly moved on from the past..." He sighed.

Nanatili lang ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

"But one thing's for sure, ever since. And that is I love you, Teen." He looked more into my eyes. "Despite everything...the mistrust...the hurt, the pain, and betrayal...I felt. Sa huli alam ko pa rin sa sarili ko na mahal pa rin kita. Minsan lang na natabunan ng mga binanggit ko ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo... Pero ikaw pa rin ang mahal ko pagkatapos ng lahat lahat."

Sabay na nag-init ang puso at mga mata ko dahil sa namumuong luha. "I'm sorry, Aaron... Kaya nga ako nandito dahil curious ako sa babaeng nakasama mo noong nakaraan..." Now I feel guilty.

"Teen," Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat ko. "I doubt I could ever love another other than you. Even look at other girls."

Tumango ako. "I'm sorry. But I still kept thinking the last time that you fell in love with Sophie..."

Umiling si Aaron. At bumaba muli ang hawak niya sa mga kamay ko. Nanatili ang mga mata niya sa mga kamay namin sa gitna namin. "I know that it's bad, but Sophie and I...were just a distraction... I tried to look at her, alright. But when I saw you again when I came home here even after many years of not seeing each other and trying to forget you... I already told you this before, Sophie and I broke up, I broke her heart... Because I'm still so into you. And only you."

"I regret hurting Sophia... And I'm just glad that she's happy now with my brother. But that's all on me. Sariling pagkakamali ko iyon. I don't want you to ever think that you ruined something... Dahil ako rin may kasalanan sa nangyari. Nagkamali ako. Pero hindi ko kayo pagkakamali ng anak natin."

Nagsimula nang lumabo si Aaron sa paningin ko dahil sa luha. "I'm sorry. It's my fault that you and Noah," I shook my head. "Kasalanan ko kung bakit nasira tayo noon. Hindi na dapat pa nasali sina Noah at Sophie... If I was just...a faithful girlfriend to you..." My tears fell continuously after saying it.

Nakita ko pag-iling din ni Aaron. Bago niya ako dinala sa loob ng yakap niya. Nagpapatuloy naman ako sa sinasabi. "I'm sorry, I cheated on you... I was a cheater. Maybe this is why I'm now still afraid that you might turn your attention to another girl. Because I was the one who did it first. At pakiramdam ko gagawin din sa akin ang nagawa ko noon..." I cried more on his chest.

Bahagya pang humigpit ang yakap sa akin ni Aaron. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry for blaming it all on you... May kasalanan ka...pero may mga pagkakamali rin ako. I promised to take care of you from the very beginning, didn't I? To understand you, and to forgive you...if ever you make mistakes..."

Naaalala ko ang sinasabi ni Aaron. Mga bata pa kami noon. And despite being the Tristeen Dela Cuesta...I had so much doubts with myself before. And that includes my relationship with Aaron. When we started and decided to be together, I remember asking him to forgive me if ever I make mistakes...I made him promise me that... Kasi noon pa lang pala parang alam ko nang magkakamali ako... Was I weak? Maybe...or because I was young back then and didn't realized many things in life yet...

"And I broke that promise, didn't I? Because I just couldn't easily forgive you...back then. But now I do... I'm sorry if it took me this long to remember my promise to you..."

Nag-angat na ako ng tingin kay Aaron. My hands were loosely fisted on his chest. His hands and arms were still wrapped around me. "I understand... I did something that couldn't be easily forgotten or forgiven... So I understand." I nodded my head. "Alam kong mahirap sa 'yo na kalimutan iyong nangyari at patawarin pa ako..."

"I'm sorry..." He gently pressed his forehead on mine. "Forgive me too, Teen..."

"I forgive you, Aaron. The same way how you can forgive me..." I closed my eyes and another tear fell and ran down my cheek. This talk, is a good thing. Maybe too good that it still hurts...

Marahan akong hinalikan ni Aaron sa mga labi ko, and our kiss tasted a little salty because of the tears... Nakapikit lang ang mga mata ko habang maingat niya akong hinahalikan at ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya sa akin sa klase ng halik niya...

And then he hugged me—like embracing everything about me, this time. Including my mistakes. And our past. Yumakap din ako pabalik sa kaniya.

"I love you." he said, and kissed my head while still hugging me.

"I love you." I said, too. Despite I was still crying in his arms.

Nakita ko rin na namumula at nababasa rin ang mga mata ni Aaron dahil sa luha kanina pa. We're both emotional. And it's all right. It's what we needed for a very long time...

"What are you drawing, baby?" I asked her.

Bella turned to me and showed us her family drawing. Magkatabi kami ni Aaron dito sa sofa sa likod niya. While she's sat in front of the coffee table and been drawing with her pencils and crayons. "It's Daddy, Mommy, and Bella!" She grinned cutely.

Napangiti na lang kami pareho ni Aaron sa anak namin.

Bella returned her attention to her drawings. At habang abala ang anak namin ay komportable naman kami ni Aaron na niyayakap ang isa't isa at paminsan pang humahalik din kapag hindi lang nakatingin ang anak namin. It's a lazy Sunday at home. Aaron just usually spends his weekends with us. Ganoon na rin ako kung wala lang namang emergency sa hospital. Nagpaalam na nga rin ako kay Daddy para sa leave ko at pinayagan naman agad ako. Since I've been working hard in our hospital for the past years, too.

Gusto ko sanang magbakasyon naman kasama si Aaron at ang anak namin.

Nakaupo ako sa gitna ng mga hita ni Aaron sa sofa ng living room ng condo. And his arms were wrapped around me. Nanonood din kami ng palabas sa TV na pwede lang din kay Bella. Aaron kissed my cheek, and then my temple. Iyon ang naabutan at nakita ni Bella nang bigla siyang lumingon sa amin. Hindi na rin niya inalis pa ang tingin sa amin ng daddy niya.

And then she stood up. Abandoning all her drawings. "I want Daddy, too!" Biglang sinabi ng anak ko at mukhang gusto pa akong paalisin na lang sa tabi ni Aaron.

My eyes widened a fraction. Such a jealous child... Sa akin talaga nagmana ang batang ito. I smirked. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan ko pa ang mga mga kamay ni Aaron na nakayakap sa akin habang nakatingin sa amin si Bella. Sobrang kumunot ang noo niya at parang maiiyak na. I chuckled. I really laughed at my daughter's childish jealousy. Sobrang close din kasi sila ni Aaron sa isa't isa kaya parang nagseselos na tuloy na mas nasa akin ang atensyon ng daddy niya ngayon. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ko na rin siya at nilagay sa gitna namin ni Aaron. Umurong na lang ako, to give her enough space with her dad.

"I love Daddy!" she said and hugged Aaron's neck, and her face in between Aaron's neck and shoulder now.

I chuckled again. Nakangiti rin si Aaron sa akin at sa anak namin. "You Daddy's girl. I love Daddy, too." I said sweetly and then Aaron and I looked at each other's eyes lovingly. "And Daddy loves Mommy... And we love Bella, too! Mommy and Daddy loves Bella very much!" I sweetly said to my daughter.

Pagkatapos ay sinilip na ako ni Bella galing sa pagsubsob ng mukha niya sa dibdib ng daddy niya. She grinned. Both Aaron and I chuckled seeing our daughter's reactions. And then Aaron kissed the top of Bella's head. Pagkatapos ay niyakap ko silang mag-ama. "Ah. I love you both so much!" I said.

"Bella and Daddy loves Mommy, too."

Ngumiti ako kay Aaron.

"Bella loves Daddy and Mommy!" Bella said.

Niyakap pa kami ni Aaron sa loob ng mga braso niya. Pumikit na lang ang mga mata ko habang nararamdaman ang sobrang lapit sa akin ni Aaron at ng anak namin ngayon. It's just one of the moments that I will cherish the most in this lifetime.