Bewitching the Tempter

Chapter 29: Reflection

It happened one night as I was lying in bed with my children. Astraea and Dane were watching on their ipad when suddenly, a news report from one of the Philippines' broadcasting companies played.

"Ngayong araw ay nagtipon ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan para igunita ang ikaapat na taong pagpanaw ng dating bise presidente, Jose Arturo Villamor."

Nabitawan ko ang hawak na phone nang marinig iyon. I immediately snatched the tablet from them to double check if I'm hearing it right.

My tears started falling when I realized that it was indeed true. It was indeed the Arthur Villamor I knew who died four years ago.

"Mommy, are you okay? Why are you crying?" Astraea asked, eyeing me with her worried expression.

"Mimi, are you okay?" Dane asked too and scooted over to hug me.

Mas lalo naman akong naiyak at niyakap silang dalawa.

I know I shouldn't even be crying given what happened in the past and how he treated me but it still wouldn't change the fact that he's my father and I'm his flesh and blood. Kahit papaano ay may nagawa naman siyang mabuti noon.

"W-Wala 'to. Let's just sleep." I uttered and kissed them in their heads.

However, Astraea seemed suspicious with the way I reacted.

"Do you know the man who died, Mommy?" She asked with her curious eyes.

My lips turned grim. I don't know what to answer at that moment ngunit laking gulat ko nalang nang may nagsalita sa likuran ko.

"Your grandfather, baby. The man who died is your grandfather."

It was Denver who answered her.

When I turned my back ay gulat pa rin akong nakatingin sa kanya. He knows? Kailan pa? At bakit hindi niya sinabi sa akin?

"I'm sorry," he uttered and moved closer to hug me. "I just...couldn't afford hurting you that time. You just gave birth to Dane at hirap na hirap ka pa sa recovery." He whispered.

Tumango ako. I understand him.

"Please let me make it up to you. Do you want to go home?" He asked which made my eyes widen.

Go home?

I don't know how to react because I've long forgotten the thought of going back to that country for the sake of my children. But now that Denver's saying it, I felt a tingle in my chest.

Si Daddy. Kahit papaano, I still want to pay respect...and visit Rachel. But would it really be okay?

I looked at Denver with worry in my eyes, ngumiti naman siya at hinawakan ang mukha ko.

"Don't worry now, love. It's been over a decade already. I'm sure they won't recognize you anymore. And you're Penelope...hindi na ikaw si Klio. You have your new identity already." He smiled and planted a soft kiss on my lips. "Hindi rin tayo magtatagal doon. We'll just go there for three days and we'll be back already, okay?"

Tumango ako at kinabig siya palapit para yakapin nang mas mahigpit.

Seriously, I really don't know how I would survive without him beside me. He had been my anchor ever since I almost sank.

Just like what we agreed, we scheduled a flight back to Manila a month after. Kami lang sana ni Denver but Astraea wanted to come too, at ayoko rin namang iwan si Dane kaya buong pamilya nalang kaming uuwi.

As I looked at Astraea getting excited about the flight, I was reminded of another person.

Her father.