Tears In Heaven

7 - Don't Lose Another Chance

All I can do was to kneel down. Kneel down and say the words...

"I'm sorry.... I'm really really sorry"

Ano ba tong nagawa ko?? How did things end up this way...

"Mister?" The little girl's voice echoed in my ears... as if it was her... as if it was the person I always loved... then lost.

"Why are you crying po? Why are you saying sorry? Lala?"

Napatakip ako sa mata ko stopping myself from sobbing before I looked at her... my child... our child...

"Oh it's you again!!!" She happily exclaimed making me feel more guilty than what I already am

"Why are you saying sorry po?"

Napakagat labi ako. I can't speak... I can't find the right words to say.

Maya maya bumaba sa lebel ko ang mama ni Fara... She held my shoulders making me face her

"Can you assure me... this time... this time the love you weren't able to say and do for my daughter... do it for yours..."

"Tita..."

"Lala what's happening?"

"Claire, apo?"

"Yes, lala?"

"You remember that awesome guy your mom always tells you about? Your father??"

"Ohh! Ohh!! Mister Kiss Stealer!!!"

"Alam mo may nickname ka saken Hades hahaha"

"Nickname?"

"Mister Kiss Stealer"

"What? Haha"

"The first time we met... that's my first kiss... and you stole it"

"Ohh haha"

"Didn't even know from that very moment my heart was also stolen..."

"Fara..."

"Hindi mo kailangan ireciprocate hahaha. I just told this to you because that's the whole point of the nickname"

"Bakit ako? Wala kang bukas saken Fara..."

"How'd you say that? A tomorrow I want is what I choose. And when I say it's with you, there is tomorrow for me regardless of what you are."

Hindi ko alam na... hindi ko alam na sa mga panahong yon, nahulog na din pala ako sayo... minahal na din pala kita... pero mas nauna saken yung takot na... yung takot na hindi ako yung taong pwede mong ipagmalaki sa kahit na sino... that's why I set my feelings aside for a while after that conversation

"Mama said he is the most amazing person!! He's like a superman but without the powers and the cape"

"S-superman?" Takang tanong ko sa bata

"Yes po! Because she said to me that he always lifted mama up when she was down! Like a superhero! She was always saved by him daw po!"

I bit my lips... I don't deserve your love Fara... I really don't.

"Can I... can I hug you?" Tanong ko sa bata

"Me po??"

"Yes?"

"Sure!! Claire loves hugs!!" She exclaimed jumping towards me to hug me. Napahigpit na lang yung hawak ko dun sa bata as my tears continuously flow down

We stayed that way nang magsalita mama ni Fara

"Claire?? You know Mister Kiss Stealer right?"

"Yes po?"

"Well... he's that guy. The one you're hugging tight now is the Mr. Kiss Stealer of your mama"

"Really?! You're my papa po?!"

Papa... those words are so comforting but just leads me to tears again

"Don't you hate me?" Tanong ko kasi parang walang bahis ng galit saken yung bata. She's in fact happy all over her face making my guilt build even more

"I wouldn't hate po my papa. And you saved mama a million times! I can't be angry with papa?"

"Claire..."

"Nice to meet you papa!! I love you po!" Claire exclaimed hugging me back

"You know what? Hades, sumama ka na sa bahay. I still have a lot to show you over there"

"P-po?"

"Papa go home with us po! When mama left the house is so quiet!! I wanna play with you po!"

"S-sigurado po ba kayo?"

"The kid spoke up... just come with us okay?"

"Pero..."

"Are you gonna waste another chance doubting yourself this time?"

Napatingin ako sa mama ni Fara sa sinabi niya

"You wasted time with my daughter already... don't waste time not spending it with your own this time, please Hades, that's all I ask of you"

"I... I will tita... I will"