I lied when I said to my son that his father couldn't go home yet because he had to work... I lied when I said to him that his father was working so hard so he could give him the car he really wanted.
He never asked me but I still lied. And now, telling the truth to him was the hardest thing to do; so far.
"You okay?" I was startled when Adam suddenly appeared and sat beside me.
Hinampas ko siya sa braso. "You startled me! Kabute ka ba?" He didn't understand the three words I said so he furrowed his thick eyebrows.
"I already called your name thrice and asked if you wanna milk or something," he said with hand gestures as he crossed his legs.
"No, I'm fine. Why are you still up?" I asked when he draped his left arm around my should.
"I should be the one asking you that," he said, gently tapping my shoulder. "Why are you still up? I noticed you often go here when you have... you know, a problem or something."
"You think Niell will hate me once he finds out I lied to him?" I asked without any hesitation.
"Hate is such a big word, Evienne. You can't just hate someone you love, well at least for me." He looked back at me. "Besides, you raised him well. I'm sure he'll understand your reason but not immediately. He's a kid, it's natural for him to grouch."
Ara and Rylen said the same words earlier when I talked to them. But I just really couldn't help but to be afraid at Niell's reaction once he finds out that her mother lied to him about his father.
"Can you at least tell me what it is that you're lying about to Niell so I could give a proper advice. I just don't want to listen, you knew that," he said again, concern was evident from his voice.
I chuckled as I rested my head on his chest. "You'll find it out soon."
"When?" he asked, I didn't say anything. "Well, I just hope you'd tell it to me before I go back to Manhattan. I don't want to carry the curiosity I have right now forever."
"You're overreacting again." Mahina ko siyang hinampas sa dibdib. "When are you going back to New York?"
"Before Christmas... And by the way, I've found a resort in Palawan. We can have our vacation there so you can relax too. You're drowning yourself lately with your work." He squeezed my left arm after he said that.
"At least I still have time to spend with Niell. That's what matters the most to me," I said to me.
"What about a time with yourself? When was even the last time you hang out with your friends?" tanong niya na parang isang malaking kasalanan ang hindi pag-hangout kasama ang mga kaibigan.
"Go find yourself a woman who'll be the mother of your children and you'll understand the reason why I love to spend my time with Niell than with my friends. We have different responsibilities and priorities now, Adam, especially I am now a mother." I gazed up at the sky. I wasn't regretting those times I chose my son over the invitations of my friends to go to a club and have some fun.
The reason behind my happiness before was temporary... Hindi na katulad ng rason ko noon ang rason ng kasiyahan ko ngayon. Kasi gaya ng ibang mga magulang, isa lang din ang gusto ko—lumaki si Niell nang maayos at mabuting bata.
I failed with a lot of areas in my life before and I will still fail, but I promised to myself that I wouldn't fail as a mother to Niell.
"Your wise words never failed to amaze me, Evienne," he said, sounding like a proud dad.
"'Di mo kaya," sagot ko sa kaniya. I laughed when he groaned, not understanding the words I just said. "I'm already running out of English words to say to you."
YOU ARE READING
When The Flower Withers (Fleur Series #1)
Romance"Love is like a game. You have to learn how to play carefully so you won't lose and the game won't be over for you." After Evienne got cheated on twice, she never believed in love again. From then on, she became the woman she never thought she would...
