Chasing Stars

chapter 41

"Mama! Mama!" patakbong lumapit si Tala kay Tiara pagpasok namin ng pintuan ng bahay.

Binuhat ni Tiara ang anak namin at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Namiss kita mama!" Tala said then pouted.

"I miss you too anak."

"Akin na. Ako na ang mgabubuhat kay Tala." I said.

"No sir. Usto ko sa mama ko."

Halatang nagulat si Tiara sa tawag ni Tala sa akin.

"Sir?" Tiara asked.

Tala nodded. "Yes mama. I know he doesn't want me to call her papa. So I call him sir or mister."

I felt a small pinch in my heart.

"Tala!" suway ni Tiara dito.

"Welcome back hija!" Mang Mario said while smiling.

Natigil si Tiara at ngumiti kay Mang Mario.

"Salamat po sa pagbantay sa anak namin, Mang Mario."

"Walang anuman, hija."

Umuwi na si Mang Mario dahil masyado na namin syang naabala.

It's so nice being home.

Bumili kami kanina ng chocolates at ice cream para kay Tala na kinakain na nya ngayon. habang nanonood ng T.V.

"Tala.." Tiara called her. Nanonood kasi ito ng T.V. habang kumakain at nakaupo sa sofa.

"Why? Mama?"

"Say sorry to your papa."

"Po?"

"Tala.. Akala mo ba ay nakakalimutan ko na kung paano mo tawagin ang papa mo kanina? Why are you calling him sir or mister?" pinagsasabihan nito si Tala pero sa mahinahon na paraan. "I didn't teach you to be like that."

"Pero mama.... he doesn't like me..." Tala said with teary eyes.

Pumagitna na ako dahil baka umiyak na ang bata.

"Save it later, asawa ko. Mamaya mo na pagsabihan ang anak naten, hmm?" I softly said.

"Wag mo ng ipagtanggol ang anak naten, asawa ko. Kailangan nya ng malaman kung ano ang mali nya."

"I know.. I know..." pagpapakalma ko dito. "But you can talk to her later. You are not alone now. I'm here. We can both teach her. She's still a five year old kid. I'm sure she has trauma on what happened to you before.. and... and it's all because of me."

Tiara sighed. "I told you not to blame yourself didn't I?"

"Mama... I'm soweyyy." Tala said and hugged Tiara.

"Go say sorry to your papa." Utos ni Tiara dito.

Tala look at me with those puppy eyes.

"I'm sorry." Tala sincerely said.

"What will you call her from now on?" Tiara asked.

"You don't have to force her, asawa ko. It's fine." I softly said.

"You are taking her side again. Paano nya malalaman ang mali nya if kakampihan mo sya?"

"I'm sorry." I said then pouted.

She sighed. "Mag-ama nga kayo."

I winked at Tala ang she winked back.

"May mga gusto ka pa bang kainin, Tala?" I asked.

"Hmmm... Pizza with a lot of cheese."

I slowly nodded.

Umorder ako ng isang box with cheese at isang box without cheese.