My Innocent Pretender

Chapter 3: Mrs. Via

Mrs. Via's POV (Adam's mother)

Mula nang mabasa ko ang journal ng aking anak, hindi ko na mapigilang mag-alala sa kanya palagi.

I knew something was off about him ever since the incident but can't figure what it was. I was too busy with my social life, with our business partners' wives. I was too focused on something else without even realizing na mas kailangan pa pala ako ng aking anak.

I tried recalling his past actions or any clue kung bakit hindi siya nag-o open up sa akin. Then I remembered, there were several times he asked if I was not busy but, in those times, I was always on my phone. If not, I was out with my friends and rarely visited him in his office.

After some time, I asked him why but ayaw na niyang pag-usapan iyon dahil hindi rin naman daw iyon mahalaga. I was of course, not convinced kaya I tried asking him over and over. Pero lagi niyang sinasabing my happiness is what matters to him. It made me happy. And I believed him. But whenever I ask about Anna, lagi siyang umiiwas o di kaya'y nagche-change topic which made me thought na hindi lang talaga niya siguro gustong pag-usapan pa ang mga nangyari na o di kaya'y dahil hindi pa siguro siya handang sabihin sa akin ang lahat.

I knew he liked Anna so much so I tried comforting him, but he always says he is alright and that I should not bother myself about anything. And I believed him in that. I know he's a strong fine man. I witnessed it myself when his father, my husband, died due to heart failure 15 years ago. Kaya, I believe, he is going to make it as well this time, until I found about his journal.

'My poor son, I'm sorry at hindi ko agad napansin na nahihirapan ka na pala. I was too selfish and self-centered. I only cared about the business and my own happiness. And forgot we only have each other now.'

'Paano pa kaya ako makakabawi sa mga panahong napabayaan kita?'

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It was Sunday midnight. I came home late to Adam's villa from my friend's congratulatory party.

Actually, nasa kabilang villa lang ako nakatira. It's almost next to Adam's and it's where our family grew. My late husband and I built this villa when he was 10 for his future family and for his independence as well.

Lumipat ako sa kanyang villa after Anna's demise.

Dumiretso ako sa aking kwarto upang makapagpahinga na. Parties are really tiring. Minsan kailangan mong makipagplastikan upang makaiwas sa mga di kanais-nais na mga pangyayari, especially in the future since we're in business industry.

Well, so far, wala naman akong naririnig na mga negative feedback about our family. Dapat lang! We lived a dignified life as businessmen. Adam has also been the pride of our family. Handsome, sharp, capable and humble just like his father. He's been famous for being a young, successful CEO in his age. He unbelievably maintained being such even after Anna's death.

Who would have ever thought na sa likod pala ng kanyang success ay isang pusong sugatan. Isang pusong nangulila ng husto sa kanyang minamahal.

My baby must have sufferred so much all these years. I must do something para makabawi ako sa mga pagkukulang ko sa kanya.

I sat on my bed. Hinimas ko ang aking malambot at malapad na higaan. This was Adam's bed when Anna was here. He transfered at Anna's room after she died. He must have missed her a lot! Napaluha ako nang maalala ang nabasa ko sa kanyang journal noong isang araw.

Kinuha ko ang aming family album. I scanned our family pictures habang maluha-luha kong hinahaplos ang mga masasaya naming litrato.

Adam has always been an ambivert and independent child. He always makes me proud in everything he does.

'Ang suwerte ko sa'yo, anak. You do almost everything on your own.'

I don't know for how long I was like that until...

"Anna!!!"

Nabitiwan ko ang aming family album nang sumigaw si Adam.

'What could have happened to him?' I panickly ran to his room and knocked nervously at his door.

'Please be okay!'

(End of Mrs. Via's POV)