It Was Always You

XXIX

Mika Reyes

"Love, nasaan na naman ba tayo?" I asked Kiefer who blindfolded me a while ago. We were walking on a garden I guess because I could feel the grass sweeping against my feet.

"On three, I will remove your blindfold. One, two, three." Kiefer slowly removed the blindfold off my eyes. Before me was standing a huge beige villa. Late ko na narealize na nasa Hacienda Ravena kami.

"Surprise, love." He pulled me closer to him and kissed my nose. I covered half of my face and started to cry.

"Oh, bakit ka umiiyak?" Kiefer lifted my face and wiped the tears rolling. I breathe deeply.

"Naalala mo pa yung dream villa ko? This was the... Ugh! I love it! Thank you, thank you!" I can't put the words together because of too much happiness.

"Sorry kung kanina ka pa naka-blindfold sa plane. I wanted to surprise you eh." He said, being apologetic again.

"Yung twins nga pala, nasaan? Nako, si Katie baka atakihin ng asthma nya. Si Kenzo pa man din may tutor yun ngayon. Sino nagbabantay sa kanila?" I was not yet done talking when he cut me off. "They're fine okay? Sila Mommy Bhaby muna nagbabantay sa kanila. We deserve this two day stay here in Ilo-ilo." And with that, napakalma ako ni Kiefer.

We enjoyed the cozy place till late afternoon, just the two of us. Matagal tagal na rin kasi kaming hindi nagkakaroon ng quality time together because we have responsibilities sa twins.

"It's just you and me." He said while we were staring blankly in the night sky. Kiefer has his arms around me while I enveloped myself in his embrace.

"Ilang years na tayo ulit? Two or three?" I asked him, testing him whether he still knows our anniversary.

"Four. Forever." Kiefer looked at me and flashed his smile that would make girls fall in love. Gwapo lang, sorry.

"Dinadaan mo na naman ako sa mga ganyan mo, Ravena."

"Love, sundan na natin sila Katie at Kenzo. Please?" Kiefer kissed the edge of my shoulder. Matagal tagal nya na rin akong kinukulit tungkol sa bagay na yan. Though he would not persuade me, I know he wants to have another baby. He would always tell me how happy he was when he knew I was pregnant before.

"Hmm, four years old na rin kasi sila no?" I continued.

"Diba! Tamang tama na yun sa family planning natin!" He even smirked. I felt my cheeks blush.

"Love... Can I ask you something?" The atmosphere between us builded up tension that quick.

"Sure. What is it?" He stiffed.

"What if... I cannot give you another child this time? Would you still love me?" I trembled. His eyes fell as his heart sank deep. Kiefer heaved a deep sigh afterwards.

"Mika, of course. I would still love you with all of my heart. Ganito na lang, at least nagkaroon na tayo ng anak diba? And I'm grateful, and always will be grateful for that. Bakit mo ba nasabi yan?" He was confused.

"This past few days kasi, nakaramdam ako ng lump sa gilid ng puson ko. Akala ko normal lang yun, pero hindi pala, unti unti syang sumasakit day by day." Kiefer held my hand tighter and so I continued, "May cyst ako sa left ovary ko. Because of that, I could no longer give you a child." There I said it. I've been hiding it from Kiefer since last week after I knew the results of the series of tests.

I got a warm embrace from him as a reply. No words came out from his mouth, no tears, nothing. He just let me feel his love and care. "I'm sorry, Kief. I'm very sorry."