MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO HAVE A DADDY.

Chapter 30.

"Stephan, can we meet? M-May sasabihin ako." ani ko sa phone. 

Gusto kong alisin lahat ng pangamba o problema ko sa isip ko dahil sa susunod na araw, ipapakilala ako ni Ryle sa mga magulang na isang beses niya lang nabanggit sa akin noon.

Last week, after my encounter with my family, they never reached for me again. I spent the rest of the week with Eyra and Ryle, I daily visit Eyra in Sandro's mansion and do a talk-date every end of the day with my boyfriend.

The only thing that bothers me up until now is Stephan. How can I meet their parents if Stephan doesn't even know the thing yet? So although my hands are trembling because of the thought that Stephan might break down, I kept thinking of positive outcomes.

And talking about my daughter, maganda naman ang relasyon niya sa stepsister niyang doon din nakatira. Ang batang iyon ay walang iba kung hindi ang batang narinig kong pinag-uusapan ng dalawang babae sa shop ko noon. It was an accident that the girl was made but Sandro took her on the mother's behalf, may mga katulong ang dalawa kaya okay sila kapag umaalis si Sandro. Bumibisita rin ang ina ng batang babae minsan. In short, they're good and safe.

With a wide and genuine smile on his face, Stephan walked toward me. Nasabihan ko naman na si Ryle tungkol rito kaya hindi niya kailangang mag-alala. Ang tanging hiling ko lang ngayon ay hindi masaktan ng grabe si Stephan kahit alam kong madidismaya siya.

"S-Sorry kung dito pa kita pinapunta. Galing kasi ako kay Eyra." sabay kaming humarap sa bughaw na dagat, nakakapit ako ng mahigpit sa railings dahil sa halo-halong emosyon.

"It's okay. I'm free anyway and I would like to take a break away from work. Kamusta ka na? I haven't seen you for almost two weeks."

"Stephan, can you.." tumanggi akong tumingin sa kaniya. Gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya ng harap-harapan pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko dahil alam kong masasaktan ako para sa kaniya, once I look in his innocent eyes, I am afraid that I can't tell the thing anymore.

"What is it? Nagkaproblema ba at sa sobrang busy ko, outdated na ako?"

He's definitely outdated to everything.

"I'm sorry.." I bowed my head and swallowed the lump in my throat. "I tried to save you from this but.." damn. "I tried to save you from this day but I can't. From day one, nakikita lang kitang kuya ko. A brother who supported me to rose and grow. I am really sorry that I can't see you farther than that. I tried too but I just can't."

Yes, to be true, pinilit kong tignan si Stephan na hindi parang kapatid pero nabigo ako. Kahit anong gawin kong pilit, makikita at makikita ko pa rin siyang kapatid.

"I don't want to ruin your day, or make you feel hurt but.."

"Being hurt is a part of rejection." the tears that forming in my eyes dripped when he talked. "I see now. It is okay, Celestine."

Now, I finally looked at him in the eyes. His eyes were half-happy and half-hurt.

"Sorry for lying. I've been with Ryle since last week but I didn't had the courage to confess to you. I'm sorry, I took long."

Naiyak na ako ng tuluyan. He pulled me in a hug and I felt him nodded so many times.

"You shouldn't feel sorry. I am still happy for you. Besides, kung wala man si Ryle at naging tayo, baka mauwi lang tayo sa wala dahil hindi kita mabibigyan ng oras, ngayon pa nga lang na nililigawan kita, madalang na lang tayong magkita. But at least now, my courtship ends here. I've been thinking about letting you go these days. Sorry kung nabigyan kita ng kalituhan. Live your life with the love you chose. Don't worry about me. I knew it all along so don't feel guilty about it, okay?" he is trying to cheer me up although I know that he's hurt, he's definitely hurt.