365 Days Contract [EDITING]

Chapter 36

"Welcome home, Ate." Zion hugged me after I arrived.

"You grew up a lot." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko habang tinitingnan si Zion. He just laughed.

Zion became taller and his body became firmer. His features enhanced, especially his jaw. I couldn't even recognize him. Was almost three years really that long?

"Lavender!" Mom rushed outside when she saw me. She kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly.

"Hi, Mom. I missed you." I smiled at her.

"Lavender..." Napalingon ako kay Daddy na naglalakad papalapit. He opened his arms. Kaagad akong lumapit sa kaniya at binigyan ng mahigpit na yakap. Daddy kissed my cheek.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

Napalingon kaming lahat sa sasakyan. Lexie got out of the car with my daughter, Ravi. Gising na pala siya.

"Baby, wait—"

Ravi let go of Lexie's hand. She was hugging tightly the chicken plush toy with her both arms and ran towards me. Her shoes made a squeaky sound with every step.

I bent down and opened my arms wide. "Hi, baby..." I said. Mabilis kong binuhat si Ravi nang makalapit siya sa akin.

"Is that..." Mom couldn't finish what she was saying.

Nilingon ko si Mommy. They were all speechless while looking at my daughter.

"Chippens...Where?" She asked with her pouty lips as she clung to my neck.

Oh, right. I told her that we are going to see ducks and chickens. "We will see them later, but first, say hello to Grandma, Grandpa, and Tito."

Ravi tilted her head to see them. She pouted her lips even more. "Hi..." She said and smiled. Her cheeks turned red because of the sun's heat.

Mom was almost teary-eyed. Dad and Zion were speechless while looking at her. Parang kinukurot ang puso ko sa tuwa habang nakatingin sa kanila.

"What's her name?" Nangingilid ang luha ni Mommy.

"Akira Reverie, Mom. Ravi for short." I introduced her while forcing myself not to cry. Tumulo na ang luha ni Mommy at mabilis niya iyong pinunasan.

"Why...cry?" Ravi mumbled. "No cry..." Ravi said and tried to reach for my Mom's face to wipe her tears.

"Come to grandma," Mom said and reached for Ravi. Mabilis namang sumama ang anak ko. Mom kissed her cheek and she giggled.

Ravi likes people and she's not afraid of them even by first time meeting them. She's really a sociable kid.

Lexie bid her goodbye to us after giving her gifts to my family. Uuwi siya sa kanila. I hope the misunderstanding between her and her family will be resolved already.

Inayos ni Zion ang kwarto ko. Ravi played with Mom and Dad before she went to sleep again.

"She's nearly three, right?" Tanong ni Zion at nilaro ang buhok ng anak kong natutulog. Ravi groaned and hugged the plush toy tighter as if someone would take away her toy.

Tumango ako. "Yes. I'm planning to celebrate her 3rd birthday here before coming back to the US." Sabi ko.

"You're not going to stay here?" Gulat na tanong ni Daddy sa akin at umupo sa sofa'ng nasa harapan ng kamang pinaguupuan ko habang mahimbing namang natutulog si Ravi sa tabi ko.