The Aftermath of a One-Night Stand (Aragonza #2)

Chapter 22

Halos mangadapa si Moira sa paglakad-takbo sa subdivision. She was trembling in fear. Paano kung bigla na lamang kunin ni Vince si Kelvin? What would her life be like? She's been through a lot for her son. She was already too attached to let anyone take him away.

Dire-diretso siyang pumasok sa gate at patakbong binuksan ang front door. Tumambad sa kanya ang mag-ama, nasa tigkabilang dulo ng hagdan. Vince is looking up and Kelvin's staring him down. When she opened the door, their attentions diverted to her.

"Mommy!" tawag sa kanya ni Kelvin. Dali-dali itong bumaba ng hagdan at patakbong yumakap sa kanya.

Vince looks confounded. Pabalik-balik ang tingin nito sa kanya at kay Kelvin. At mas lalo itong nalito nang biglang dumating si Neri.

"Why did you get out of your room?" tanong nito kay Kelvin. Dinama ni Neri ang noo ng pamangkin. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I was thirsty," he answered. Tumingin itong muli kay Vince. He was also frowning. Mukhang nalilito ang mag-ama sa nangyayari. "Mommy, who's he?"

Vince looked at her, taunting her to answer the question.

She cupped Kelvin's face and smiled. "Baby, go with Tita Neri muna, okay? I'll join you later."

Sumunod naman kaagad si Kelvin sa kanya. Nang nasa kusina na ang mag-tita ay saka niya hinarap si Vince, na noon ay hindi pa rin gumagalaw mula sa kinatatayuan nito kanina.

Huminga siya ng malalim.

"Would you like to sit down?"

Ipinamay-awang nito ang isang kamay at saka ipinangsabunot naman sa ulo ang kabila. He huffed, his eyebrows furrowed. She could see his knuckles turning white. Parang malapit na itong sumabog. And when he does, she'll be the only casualty.

Humakbang ito palapit sa kanya. He looks like he wants to strangle her.

"Anak mo?" punong-puno ng pang-uuyam nitong tanong. She could almost hear the underlying anger in his tone. It made her shake in fear.

Nang tumango siya ay nagtiim ang bagang nito. He exhaled again, para bang naglalabas ng galit. He kept his hands to his sides, fists tightly clenched. Alam niyang kung nagkataong hindi siya babae, baka kanina pa siya nito nasuntok.

"Is it true that you've never been with anyone else?"

She shook her head this time.

"How old is he?"

"He's turning ten this December," mahina niyang sagot.

His face became pale, as if reality had finally sank in. Naupo ito. She sat on a separate chair and just waited for him to say something. Napatingin silang pareho sa kusina nang lumabas sina Neri at Kelvin.

Inihatid ni Neri ang anak niya sa kwarto nito. Neri stayed upstairs, so she had no help at all. And maybe that's just how it's supposed to be. She needs to face him alone, because it's her fault anyway. Everything stemmed out from the decision she made that night, ten years ago.

"He looks just like me when I was about his age," kumento nito.

"Vince, I—"

Vince exhaled sharply again.

"Save your overdue explanation for some other time, Moira. I have to go before I strangle you," kalmado pero buong diin nitong sabi. She guessed that he finally gained back his strength because he was already able to stand up. Tumayo na rin siya at sinundan ito palabas ng bahay.

"Vince—"

He turned at the mention of his name. Tumuro ito sa kanya, his eyes burning.

"If you ever as much try to hide him from me again, then I swear that I'll not leave a stone unturned until I find him. And it will be worse for you," he threatened.