Kabanata 37
Mama
"Toddy, why po hindi ko na nakikita si Ate Margaux?" Ziara asked Santi while we're dining in our favorite café in Sentro. Kauubos lang ni Ziara ang paborito niyang brownies.
The staff here seem to know my niece very well. Sa bagay, paborito nito ang brownies at pakiramdam ko rin ay madalas itong umungot kay Kuya na bumisita rito sa café.
Ibinaba ni Santi ang hawak na kopita. He smiled at my niece and softly patted her head. "Nakilala na ni Ate Margaux ang daddy niya," he answered. "Isinama na siya sa Maynila at doon na muling ipagpapatuloy ang pag-aaral..."
Bumagsak ang mga balikat ni Ziara. "Babalik naman po dito si Ate Margaux, 'di ba po?" she sounded hopeful.
"Yes, babalik naman si Ate Margaux, Ziara..." Santi assured her.
It was weeks ago when Santi mentioned that Margaux's dad introduced himself to him. He's a local of the nearby town, Dingalan, at nagkakilala sila ni Marina noong college kami. He didn't know that he impregnate her. He just saw Margaux in this café by accident when he stopped by. Cliché at it may sound, pero naramdaman daw niyang may espesyal kay Margaux noon kaya naman kinausap niya ang bata.
"Kilala ko siya kaya nagulat ako na siya ang ama ni Margaux," Santi said. "Kabatian ko siya noon tuwing may laban sa interschool. Kung paano silang nagkakilala ni Marina ay hindi ko na alam... Hindi ko rin kasi tinatanong kung saan-saan siya nagpupunta noon dahil wala naman akong pakealam sa bawat galaw niya..." aniya nang ikwento ang nangyari sa akin.
"Sabi pa ni Castor, gusto niyang ipa-DNA test si Margaux..." saglit siyang napatigil. "Parang anak ko na rin si Margaux. The only thing that I want for her is the best... Kaya man namin siyang bigyan ng pagmamahal na hindi magawa ng mama niya, iba pa rin kung manggagaling sa totoo niyang ama. Sino ako para ipagkait sa kaniya ang katotohanan sa likod ng pagkatao niya?"
The two underwent a DNA test and the result showed that Castor is indeed the biological father of Margaux.
"Margaux has always wanted to feel the love and care of Marina. May mga pagkakataong tinutupad niya ang hiling ng anak tulad ng pagluluto sa paboritong ulam ni Margaux. That only happens when she's in an extreme good mood though..."
The moment I heard that from Santi, I felt like my heart was shattered into pieces. The poor kid didn't have to beg for her mother's love!
Margaux was no longer in the protection of Marina after the incident they were a part of. The poor kid was so afraid of her own mother kaya naman hindi pinapalapitan ang bata rito. Everytime na makikita siya ni Margaux, nanginginig sa takot ang bata.
That means Marina lied when she went to Santi's house back then. She was hysterical. Napag-alaman ko rin na she was advised to seek help from a professional regarding her mental health. I don't know what she went through, but I am hoping that she'll be healed soon.
Santi and Rey have already convinced her to see a specialist.
"Be a good girl, okay?" si Santi nang kinailangan nang magpaalam kay Margaux.
Hindi naman ipagkakait ng daddy ni Margaux ang pakikipagkita sa mga taong mahal ng bata. It's just that they have to go back to Manila because Castor's business is there.
Rey was with us. Kagaya ni Santi ay emotional din. Breanna was at his side, hushing him—comforting him.
"'Wag mong pasasakitin ang ulo ng Daddy mo, ha?" bilin ni Rey.
Eyes still filled with tears, Margaux nodded and hugged the two. "Opo... Magpapakabait po ako... Magkikita pa rin naman po tayo, di ba?"
"Oo naman, Margaux..." si Rey.
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