Eren Pierce Salazar

Kabanata 15

''Kamusta ka naman, Maria?'' Doctor asked.

I looked at Eren beside me and then looked at Doktora again.

''Okay naman po''

After that time, at the park. Eren and I became so much closer.

Tinitigan ako bigla ni Doktora, kaya parang nailang ako, but she smiled when she noticed it.

''You know what, Maria? I was your mother's ob-gyne in the past. I always see her face closely'' she started to say.

Oo nga pala. Nagpalit na kami ng Doctor dahil iyong Doctor ko na ex-wife pala ni Kuya Atticus ay may inaasikasong importante. She passed me on to this Doctor na Doctor daw ni Mama dati pa, and from what Mama said, it's really true. Matanda na ito, but it still doesn't look like one.

''And from our second session, I already confirm that you and your mother look alike. Mas kamukha ka ng Mama mo kesa ni Veronica'' she chuckled.

I awkwardly laughed a little bit and looked at Eren, who was just looking at me, intently. Seryoso masyado.

''Oo nga po eh, sabi rin po'' She doesn't know I am adopted... Well, Mama is my true mother's younger sibling, kaya talagang hindi nakakagulat na mag kamukha kami.

Natapos ang check-up namin, and Eren and I were silent inside the car. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip and I couldn't just be with it.

''May problema ka?'' I asked.

He was still serious while driving, looking at the road.

''I was just thinking of what the doctor said...''

''Saaan duon?'' I asked. Sa dami ba namang sinabi ng doctor.

''You...'' Then the stop light became red. We stopped, and he looked at me so seriously. ''You are the mini-lookalike of Tita, are you sure about being adopted?''

I bit my lower lip. I also thought about that earlier, but alam ko, kung totoong anak ako. I know Papa will never treat me like this because of the way I see him treat Ate Veronica and Kuya Vincent. It was full of love.

I smiled and looked at him. I literally looked at him hopelessly. Ilang beses ko rin na dinasal na sana hindi totoong adopted ako, but... It's just a dream... ''If I am, then Papa will never do this to me'' I said and saw him clench his jaw. His eyes became bloodshot. It was full of anger.

Nag iwas agad siya ng tingin ng mag green ang stop light. Why is he mad?

Natahimik ulit kami hanggang sa makauwi. Ako na ang unang bumaba dahil gabi na at gusto ko ng matulog. Pagod ako ngayong araw nato. Nag grocery, kasi kami kanina bago nagpa check-up.

I was walking towards our door at gusto ko na talagang humiga. Si Eren na bahala sa mga groceries.

I was still walking when I heard Eren talk.

''You'll never go to that house without me, Maria. I wouldn't allow anyone to hurt you again. Even if it's your father. I am your family now. We are your family now...'' I looked at him.

His eyes were so soft, but I could still see the anger. I appreciate it. It dwells in my heart. It makes me happy to the extent that I want to cry. I am really happy and thankful I have him, but I know, we will never be a family. I still know my place...

I smiled at him sincerely. I want him to feel how thankful I am. ''Our child will have a good family because she has her father'' I said, then turned my back on him. I continued walking towards the door because I wanted to rest...

This day is too much for me. I need to rest...

The morning came, and we were all in the living room. Tita and Tito will be in Batangas for one week at kaming dalawang ni Amelia lang ang matitira sa bahay because Eren was not living here in this house. Meron itong condo at dito lang umuuwi dahil buntis ako.