Hearts Between Colors (Isla Contejo #3)

Chapter 2

NIYAKAP ko si Fio pagkabalik na pagkabalik ko sa suite at parang batang nagsumbong sa kaniya. He was just looking at me innocently with his soft, hooded eyes that were full of curiosity and wonders.

"I just saw your father again, baby. Nakakainis talaga 'yon, binuwisit na naman ako," sumbong ko na para bang maiintindihan niya ako.

Mukhang sa inaraw-araw ng paglalagi ko rito sa hotel ay magtatagpo ang landas namin ni Rodean at mag-iinisan lang kami. Siya naman itong nauuna parati. Alangan namang hayaan ko siyang asar-asarin na lang ako? Mas lalong yayabang ang isang 'yon kapag nagkataon.

"Kairita siya," reklamo ko pa sa walang kamuwang-muwang na anak ko. "Sa susunod na kita ipakikilala sa kaniya, ha? Kapag medyo humupa na ang pagkabuwisit ko sa kaniya."

I smiled at him and he just kept looking at me. Mayâ-mayâ ay dinutdot niya ang pang-ibabang labi ko gamit ang maliit niyang hintuturo at nilapirot. Natawa na lamang ako at umiwas.

Kinabukasan, I received a call from Papa. He asked me if we landed safely and he also got to talk to Fio. He also asked me about Mama and I just told him that we just talked yesterday over the phone.

"Nakausap mo na ba ang ama ni Fio?" tanong niya matapos ng ilang sandali.

I sighed. I sipped on my cup of coffee first before I answered his question.

"Not yet." Pinunasan ko ang gilid ng bibig ni Fio na may maliit na butil ng kanin. "I already saw him, but we haven't talked about our son yet."

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga na tila nadismaya. "Aba'y kailan mo balak sabihin? Baka mamaya, sa iba pa niya malaman. Mas mabuti kung sa iyo manggagaling."

Napakamot ako sa aking ulo at pinigil ang sarili na huwag pumalatak. "Naghahanap pa ako ng tamang tiyempo, Papa. 'Tsaka... hindi naman ako sigurado kung pananagutan niya 'to. At malay ko, baka may girlfriend na iyon ngayon."

What I said just pushed Papa to talk more and scold mo to the extent. Napahilot na lamang ako sa aking sentido habang pinakikinggan ang mga litanya niya.

When I learned that I was already 6 weeks pregnant before, he was the first person I called. Mama was busy thinking about how to escape from all her debts and I was so sure that she would just lash out on me. Mas pinili kong sabihin muna kay Papa dahil sa kanilang dalawa ni Mama, si Papa ang kalmado at nag-iisip lang nang mabuti.

When I told him that I was pregnant, he didn't get mad at me, but I saw a little bit of disappointment in his eyes. I couldn't blame him, though. I should not even complain about it because I understand. I was 22 that time and I had bigger dreams for myself and my career. He knew that. Ang marinig mula sa akin na nabuntis ako nang wala sa plano ay nagdala sa kaniya ng bahagyang panghihinayang.

Good thing that he didn't really get mad. After all, Fio's his grandson and the only choice he had was to accept him. Sinamahan niya akong ipagtapat kay Mama na buntis ako at bago pa ako nito matalakan ay pinaliwanagan na ni Papa. Mabuti na lang at kumalma rin si Mama at nakinig naman kay Papa kahit na ayaw na ayaw niyang nakikita ito.

My parents were separated since I was still in high school. They used to be a happy couple before, but then Papa had... whatever. Natanggap ko naman na noon pa, pero medyo masakit pa rin para sa amin ni Mama.

'Di katulad ko na matagal nang napatawad si Papa, si Mama ay hanggang ngayon, sukdulan pa rin ang galit dito. I couldn't blame her, though. All her life, she only loved my father and she gave him her world. To betrayed and be lied like that was too much for her. Ilang taon niya itong minahal. Akala niya, sila na hanggang dulo, pero... may iba palang mahal si Papa.