Enticing the Untamed Jewel

Chapter 26: Not Interested

Pagbangon. That was the biggest lesson I had learned after years of battling whether to give up or not.

Almost a decade has passed since I came to a far place and started a new life that's different from what I used to have. Maraming nagbago, maraming nangyari, at hindi naging madali ang lahat... but they're all worth it.

After graduating in law school, I took the bar exam, and thankfully, I passed it in one try. Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam na makita ang apat na letra na nakakabit sa pangalan ko.

I am finally Atty. Gertrude Gwayne Alcantara, a lawyer who fights for victims of abuses and violence, and most especially — rape.

Hindi ko man nakamit ang hustisya para sa sarili ay gusto kong makatulong sa iba para makamit ang hustisya na nararapat nilang matanggap.

"Mommy look, I got a perfect score in the Math test." Gabriella Lyann showed me her test paper. Nakasunod naman sa kanya si Dylan na panay ang doodle sa hawak na papel.

I smiled. Yes, I am also a single mom of two wonderful children. Ang buhay ko.

"Really? Wow! That's great!" Nakangiti kong puri at binigyan siya ng mahabang halik sa pisngi.

"Si Mommy naglalambing, ako rin! Pahingi rin ng kiss!" Nakangiting sabi ni Dylan at lumapit sa akin para maikiss ko sa pisngi.

"Sweet niyo naman. Ako? Wala ba akong kiss?"

I rolled my eyes on Sorel because of what he asked. Gagong 'to!

"Bakit? Anak ba kita?" Mataray kong tanong at natawa naman siya.

Being together in almost a decade, Sorel and I grew closer together. Sabi nga nila ay halos maipagpalit na ang mukha namin dahil lagi talaga kaming magkasama. Mula sa barrio hanggang sa law school.

Marami ring nagrereto sa aming dalawa. Na kesyo single naman ako ay asawahin ko nalang si Sorel, total kilala ko naman daw siya at mabuting tao naman, gwapo pa. Sa katunayan, ang daming babaeng pinapangarap siya, because he almost got it all. I certainly agree with that part and I've actually thought about it, pero hindi talaga e.

Bukod sa kaibigan lang talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya ay ayaw ko ring maging unfair...because I know that I am still not capable of loving again.

And I know he deserves someone better.

"Lods ang haba na naman ng buhok mo, tara gupitan natin?" Sorel teased Dylan who immediately ran away from him. Takot na takot magupitan.

I chuckled. Ayaw talaga ng anak ko magpagupit, it started when he was 4, no'ng mapanood niya ang Howl's The Moving Castle, simula noon ay ayaw na niyang magpagupit dahil feel na feel niya ang pagiging Howl.

It was actually cute kaya hinahayaan ko nalang. And somehow, it reminded me of someone.

"Mommy! Si Papa Sorel po oh! Gugupitan daw ako kahit ayoko!" Ani Dylan habang tumatakbo at agad na yumakap sa 'kin no'ng makarating sa pwesto ko.

"Gosh, Dylan! Papa Sorel is just joking! OA mo!" Gabriella annoyedly said and twirled the strands of her blonde hair.

Natawa naman ako because I could really see my younger self in her. Kahit si Maya ay nagsasabi na habang lumalaki siya ay marami siyang naaadapt na mannerisms ko.

"Hindi! Ginupitan niya kaya ako no'ng nakaraan kaya baka gupitan niya na naman ako!" Dylan fired back.

"Ang gulo kasi ng buhok mo! Pagupit ka nalang!"

I sighed and chuckled a bit while watching them lightly bickering with each other. Hindi naman sila nag-aaway kaya okay lang 'yon.

I smiled. Through the years, raising them as a single mother wasn't easy, lalo na kapag nagkakasakit sila. But I'm glad that even though I initially thought that I am not capable of taking care of them properly, ay lumaki pa rin sila nang maayos at healthy.