Dulling Glisters of the Diamond (Casa Fuego Series #5)

Chapter 28

In Love

I was perplexed for a long while. Gulong-gulo pa rin ako kahit nang sunduin ang aking anak sa hacienda. I thought he was asleep in my room but he was playing in the quadrangle of our hacienda. Tuwang-tuwa sa kanya ang mga trabahante ngunit nang makita ako ay agad tumayo nang tuwid at bumati sa akin.

"Magandang hapon po, Senyorita..." bati nila.

"Good afternoon," bati ko pabalik na ikinagulat niya.

"Mama!" Javion called excitedly and ran towards me.

Sinalubong ko siya at nang makalapit ay kinarga ko. Kitang-kita ko ang mangha, gulat, at pagkakalito ng mga trabahante.

"Kamukha ni Julius Manriquez. Nakikita ko 'yon dati na pumupunta rito sa hacienda madalas. Tingin mo?"

"Tumahimik nga kayo!" saway ng matanda.

I just smiled and kissed my son's forehead. Wala naman akong balak na itago ang anak ko.

"I thought you were asleep, Jav. Wala ka pang tulog simula kagabi."

"I slept a little, Mama. Then I woke up and got bored waiting for you. I asked Ate Lourdes to bring me out!"

Ngumisi si Lourdes na giliw na giliw sa anak ko. Binaba ko siya at tinanguhan.

"I like it here, Mama! It's so fun here!"

I smiled. "We have to go to the mansion first, Jav. Dito naman tayo matutulog kaya makakapaglaro ka pa mamaya. Let's go see Lola and Tito Conor first!"

Mas lalong natuwa ang anak ko roon. He jumped and skipped while holding Lourdes' hand. Bumaling muna ako sa mga trabahante na napaayos ulit ng tayo nang makitang nakatingin ako. I never realized how intimidating I was before that most of them are nervous around me.

I just smiled at them and nodded as goodbye. Sinundan ko na sila papasok ng sasakyan at agad na kaming dumiretso sa mansion. Habang nasa byahe ay magulo pa rin ang utak ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula para malaman ang lahat ng nangyari sa loob ng anim na taon. Is this the reason why Papa and Conor insists on informing me about any news in the Philippines and I eagerly declined.

I wonder how things would have change had I listened. But then again, I don't think there will still be a difference. Our reconcilation with their families doesn't change the fact that he already has a family of his own.

Sa nakita ko kahapon at sa narinig kay Astrid Lopez, alam kong masaya sila bilang pamilya. That thought bothered me. What if I ruin a family? That's the last thing I want. But then, what about my son?

I sighed heavily. Bumaling na lang ako sa anak kong tuwang-tuwa para mawala ang lahat ng duda sa aking isipan. I smiled more when he clapped his hands when the Limo entered our estate proper.

"Mama! That's a huge gate!"

"Yes," I chuckled. "Mama grew up here, Jav. Wait till you see the mansion!"

My son's excitement is the only thing that can keep me going on. Kung hindi, baka kanina pa ako umalis ng Casa Fuego. I know I am determined to endure and overcome all odds because that's the ultimate lesson I've learned from my hardships over the past years. Pero ang isipin na talagang maaaring magkita kami bukas ay nakakapanindig balahibo isipin.

When we got inside the mansion, Javion was so excited. I am treasuring the moments when he's just an innocent and excited young boy. Dahil alam ko, hindi siya habang buhay na bata. My heart aches thinking that he'll be matured when he's a teenager. I wonder if he would still let me kiss him? I wonder if would still let me cuddle him? Mas lalong hindi pa ako handang dumating ang panahong iyon.