The Perfect Storm (Perfect Duology Season 2)

Chapter 21

DONNY

"Mikki Claver."

Natigil agad ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ang pangalan na 'yon mula kay Terrence. Kumunot ang noo ko at saglit na naisip na baka mali lang ako nang narinig.

"What?" Tanong ko.

"Si Mikki Claver, Sir." Ulit niya at parang noon ko lang naintindihan ang lahat. "Siya po ang lumapit at nagbigay ng lahat ng impormasyon."

"What do you mean he has all the information?" Naguguluhan nang tanong ko. "How are you so sure he's not lying?"

"He presented the information with evidences." Sagot niya. "At nagtutugma po ang lahat ng 'yon."

"What evidences?"

"So you're telling me, she flew to the US pregnant?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

Matapos ng paguusap namin ni Terrence kanina ay pinapunta ko siya rito para makapagusap kami ng personal. Labag man sa loob ko, ay pati si Mikki kinausap ko na rin.

"And you have proof?" Bakas ang pagdududa sa boses ko.

"Yes." Sagot ni Mikki. "She has medical records in the US." He added and placed a long brown envelope on the table.

Matagal akong napatitig roon bago naglakas loob na abutin 'yon para buksan. He was right. In it were photocopies of Belle's medical records. All the details were there — monthly check ups... And even the exact date of when she gave birth.

My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Are you sure these are all her records? Baka naman kapangalan niya lang?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko but Mikki just answered me with a smirk.

"I knew you'd say that." He said. "There are more inside that envelope."

I reached inside the envelope, and my forehead formed a small crease as I saw more of the evidences. There were photos of Belle walking in and out of a hospital. And what caught my attention more is the evident bump on her stomach.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay titigan ang mga litratong naroon. She's pregnant in these pictures.

Pero pa'no nangyari 'yon? Our son was dead when I arrived at the hospital.

"Apparently, she was pregnant with triplets." Mikki said, answering all the questions inside my head.

Gulat akong napatingin sa kanya — hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.

"Triplets?" I asked, making sure I heard him right.

"Out of all three, only one survived." He continued at kumunot naman ang noo ko. "Belle knew that even before she left for the US." Patuloy niya. "There, she gave birth to a boy named Leon."

Kumunot ang noo ko at saglit na napaisip.

Leon...

Where did I hear that name?

And then just like that, an image of that little boy Leon flashed in my mind. The image of him laughing, running around, and calling me Tito flashed on my mind.

He was right in front me, but I never noticed. He was right there... I got to hold him... Not knowing who he really was.

Mabilis na tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko. Pero agad ko ring pinalis 'yon. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Hindi ko kayang maniwala na nagawang itago sa'kin ni Belle ang ganito kalaking bagay.