Crime In Love Line

Chapter 28

Papakasalan kita.

I kept repeating Jiro's words in my head, like it's the two words that'll be the only reason for me to keep living.

"...and you know what, I'll bring mommy to airport tomorrow!"

I was smiling the whole time I'm telling stories to Liam while feeding him cereal for breakfast. Binanggit ko sa kaniya na tuluyan nang malalayo sa amin si mommy dahil sasama na siya kina kuya Ethan sa Canada. It is for her own good. She needs to start a new life, far away from the place where people treated her worse than an animal.

"I'm sure, namiss ka rin ni kuya Ethan." I smiled. "He's now on a flight with his wife, and I just knew he can't wait to see you."

Ilang minuto ko pang pinagmasdan ang mukha ni Liam nang mag-ring ang phone ko. My smile widened when I saw Jiro's name flashed on the screen.

[Baby!] I heard his voice from the other line. [Good morning! Kumain ka na?]

"Hi babe uhm...inuna ko munang pakainin si Liam but I'll prepare my meal na din." I answered. "How about you?"

[Syempre naman! Kumain na ako.] He exclaimed.

"I'm so excited for today dahil makikita ko na ulit si kuya Ethan!" I just knew my voice was full of happiness. "At bukas na bukas, sasama ako sa kanila sa airport."

There was only silence on the other line so I called his name.

"Are you okay, baby?" I asked him.

[Ahh, wala.] He assured. [Nakakampante lang na nakarinig ulit ako ng kasiyahan sa boses mo.]

Tears pooled up my eyes. This man! His words of affirmation never failed to pull something from my heart.

[Lianne...]

"Hmm?"

[Mahal kita. Sobra pa sa sobra.]

"You're so random! I love you more!"

Hindi ako nabigo nang araw na 'yon dahil binisita kami ni kuya Ethan sa mansion. When they arrived, we are fortunate enough that none of the devilish member of Ronald's family were present at home. Kaagad naming pinagtulungang isakay si Liam sa van na minamaneho ni kuya Ethan.

I want to tell everything to my kuya. Gusto kong magsumbong para hindi na ako tumira pa sa mansion. But then, I was too shy to break his peace when its obvious that he's living a life way far than how he did here in this country. Mas masaya siya, mapayapa, at maayos. Isa pa ay hindi niya kami kargo ni Liam lalo pa't bumubuo na siya ng sariling pamilya.

On our way to pick up mom, we told each other a lot of stories about our life lately. Ate Amily, kuya Ethan's wife, was really nice and pretty. I like her since the days that kuya will introduce us to her via video calls.

"Hindi pa po ba ako magiging tita?" I casually asked.

"We're still saving money, Lianne. But it's very soon." Kuya Ethan answered while driving.

Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-ragasa ng luha nang muli kong mayakap si mommy. Her skin was pale and was almost hugging her bones. Her condition made my brother sob, and he was blaming himself for not saving her soon enough.

Kuya Ethan booked a hotel nearby the airport. It wasn't fancy as the ones we book way back then—when we are a complete happy family—but this one is more practical and budget-friendly. We also went to the nearest restaurant that serves Filipino foods because kuya said that he was craving a lot of it.

The next happenings were like a montage to me. Kuya Ethan, laughing with mom, even I can see that tears are pooling upon his eyes, mom taking care of Liam by feeding him with foods he can chew, ate Amily and I laughing over girly-talks.