Forever In Love (Book 2 Of AFIL, Love Back Series 1)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"So matagal na pala kayong magkakilala ni Jay?" tanong ni Shiela sa akin, iyong babae na nanay ni Mico.

Tumango ako, kinukwento sa kanya ni Jay na magka batch mate kami dati. At hindi ko alam kung ano ma fi-feel ko na kinukwento niya ako kay Shiela na ex girlfriend niya.

"At ikaw ang first love ni Jay." dagdag niya.

I looked up at him, seeing the pain etched in his eyes. I couldn't explain what I was feeling. Coming from a broken family, I knew how painful this was for a woman, and even more so for their child. When I saw my Mama crying after Papa left, my heart was filled with pain. And I know that Mico will feel the same pain once he gets old enough to understand.

"Kayo na ba, Jay?" tanong ni Shiela kay Jay na busy sa pagkain.

Nilingon niya kami, tiningnan ako nito bago tumingin kay Shiela.

"I'm courting her."

I almost choked, and Shiela immediately looked at me, her eyes questioning while mine showed confusion, which I knew she noticed. Jay wasn't courting me, he just confessed to me last night. Why did she say that?

"Oh... I see. I hope Mico is still your priority," Shiela said, glancing at their son, Mico.

I could see Mico looking at me, his face innocent and gentle. It was clear he was Jay's son, they looked almost identical, with Mico being a younger version of Jay.

"Excuse me for a while. I'll just go to the restroom," Shiela excused herself.

I glanced at Jay, who was quietly playing with his food beside me. I looked back at Mico. He smiled at me, revealing his deep dimples. I looked back at Jay again.

"Uhm... mag cr lang ako ayos lang ba?" paghingi ko ng permiso sa kanya.

Nilingon niya ako, tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay bago ngumiti at tumango. Tumayo naman ako sa kinauupuan ko at nagtungo sa cr.

Pumasok ako sa loob, tumungo agad ako sa may sink at tumingin sa sarili ko sa salamin. Hindi ko alam kung anong rason ko at bakit sumunod ako kay Shiela, pero gusto ko syang makausap, ramdam ko na hindi siya okay noong sinabi ni Jay na nililigawan ako nito, gusto kong komprontahin si Shiela.

I glanced at a cubicle door as it opened, and Shiela stepped out. She looked at me in the mirror and smiled. It wasn't fake, but I could feel the pain in her smile.

"Happy for him," she said as soon as she reached the sink and washed her hands. "I just hope he still has time for our son. I can't bear to see Mico grow up without knowing his father. I don't want him to end up like me. I don't want our child to experience that."

I froze when I saw a tear fall down her cheek, knowing she had been holding it back. Now it is finally coming out.

I moved closer to her and faced her. She turned to me as well, and I could feel the depth of her heartbreak through her expression.

"Please... wala akong balak agawin sya sa'yo, pero huwag mong ipagkakait kay Jay ang anak namin." She held my hand, and she was about to kneel, but I quickly stopped her in surprise.

"No. Don't." pagpigil ko sa kanya na hinawakan siya sa kanyang braso.

Tiningnan nya ako, tila nagtataka.

Huminga ako ng malalim. "You don't have to beg, wala akong balak na ipagkait si Jay para sa anak mo." bahagya siyang natigilan at umayos ng tayo.

Tiningnan ko siya, pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa malungkot niyang mga mata.