Dali-daling pumasok si Zenith sa hospital suite ni Era. He halted his steps when he noticed a woman seated on the couch.
"Mrs. Anderson" pormal na bati ni Zenith sa Ina ni Era.
Tinanguan siya ng ginang, tinapik nito ang katabing bahagi ng couch. Signaling him to seat beside her.
"It is still Ms. Castillo, Attorney" tipid siya nitong nginitian
Hindi malaman ni Zenith kung lilisanin ang silid o mauupo tulad ng hiling nito. He chose the latter.
"Attorney Sujuico, I know this is not the best place to talk about this. For the sake of my daughter sana ay hindi mo masamain ang sasabihin ko".
Zenith swallowed hard. He felt ashamed of himself. Hindi man sabihin ng ginang ay alam na niya kung saan tutungo ang usapan nila.
He nodded and look directly to the mother of a woman he once thought of leaving everything behind.
"I cannot blame you alone for the position both of you are in now" bumuntong hininga ang Ginang bago nagpatuloy.
"Era is in her right age to decide for herself. Is she on her right mind? Probably. My daughter is equally to blame on what is happening in her life."
Mataman nitong tinignan ang anak na kasalukuyang natutulog.
"Era won't chose this path, If she did not feel the love you made her feel. She won't took the chance of love with you if there is no guarantee on her side, despite of you being married".
Nakita niyang nangilid ang luha sa gilid ng magandang mukha nito. Tila may tumundo sa kanyang puso seeing a mother talking to the man who played her daughter.
"Whatever happened between the both of you, that is not for me to know."
She turned her head towards him and hold his hand.
"May pakiusap sana ako, kung mamarapatin mo Attorney"
He looked straight at Era's mom at tumango. He maintained his business like face kahit na naghihirap na din ang loob niya.
"Please consider my daughter and my grandson's best welfare. Kahit para sa apo ko na lamang, Attorney".
Pinahid nito ang luhang nag-uunahang naglandas sa pisngi nito.
"Ma-am" he stammered. He cannot find the right words to say to her.
"Sana piliin mo ang mag-ina mo, alam kong minsan mong minahal ang anak ko. Alam ko ding minsan mo nang plinanong iwan ang mundo mo para kay Era."
Hindi niya kayang sabihin dito na malabo nang papanagutan niya ang anak nito dahil hindi niya magagawang iwan ang Asawa. He realized he loved his wife, most.
He heaved a sigh. Binitawan niya ang kamay ng ginang at inihilamos ang mga palad sa kanyang mukha. He looked at Era's mom.
"Maam, Please don't get me wrong"
Tumungo siya at pinagmasdan ang nakasalikop na mga palad.
"I wanted to be by my son's side while he is growing up. If only I can choose Era, I would."
Naitukod niya ang magkabilang siko sa tuhod at huminga ng malalim.
"But my heart says otherwise, Ma'am. I love my wife, I love her with all my heart. I cannot live without her by my side. SHE is my LIFE."
His heart beamed upon talking about his wife.
"Sana po ay naiintindihan niyo ang sitwasyon ko. I could only offer co-parenting with Era. Pinipili ko ang maging katuwang niya sa pagpapalaki ng aming anak. Dahil kailanman, hindi ako ang tamang lalake para sa kanya."
BINABASA MO ANG
A Sinful Forbidden Affair
RomanceEra has been in a relationship with Vernon for more than a decade. They met each other when they were still young, and both dreamt of a bright future together. They committed to love each other despite whatever challenges life may brough them. Year...
