Last Dance With You

Chapter 19

Leni and Bongbong stood before their children, their hearts heavy with uncertainty. As they attempted to answer their children's questions, the memories of their painful divorce resurfaced, reopening wounds they had hoped were healed. The couple shared a glance, seeking solace in each other's eyes, but their grip on hope seemed fragile and mixed with a hint of terror.

Bongbong's voice quivered as he began, "Ah... Yes, mga anak, your mama and I are back together." Sensing the weight of this revelation, Leni closed her eyes, knowing that their lives were about to be reshaped once again.

Confusion filled Abby's eyes as she voiced her question, "Bu-but why?" Leni stared at her, her expression one of bewilderment. "Akala ko ba gusto mong mag kabalikan kami ni daddy mo?"

"Yeah..." Abby started, pausing to gather her thoughts, struggling to find the right words to explain her feelings to her parents.

"Ma, Dad, it's wonderful news that you're back together, but hearing you fight again made us realize how terrible it was for all of us when you were together," Yannie interjected, stepping in for her younger sister, who was grappling with her emotions.

"What are you saying, mga anak? Ayaw niyo bang mag kabalikan kami ng mama niyo?" Bongbong asked, a tinge of hurt coloring his voice.

"If getting back together means constant fighting, then we'd rather you didn't, Dad," Jajah answered truthfully.

Leni and Bongbong felt the pain seep into their hearts as their own children rejected their reunion. "This is not how we wanted you to find out, mga anak," Leni managed to say through tears.

"How would you have wanted us to find out, ma? Did you expect us to be filled with hope, only to be hurt again when you two start fighting? Is that what you wanted?" Abby's voice quivered with frustration and disappointment. Leni couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

"Abby, huwag kang mag salita ng ganyan sa mama mo—"

"Well, paano daddy? Kelan kami mag kakaroon ng boses sa pamilyang ito? Wala kayong ibang inisip kundi ang mga sarili niyo! You never stopped to consider how we feel, what we're going through! You're the worst parent—" Leni's hand suddenly met Abby's face, a shocking act of frustration and pain.

"Ma!" Yannie rushed to protect Abby, shielding her sister from further harm, while Bongbong intervened, holding Leni back. "I never wished for you to witness all the sacrifices your daddy and I have made. All we ask is for you to respect us, but you've crossed a line by attacking me in my own home. I know I've been far from perfect as your mother, but that doesn't justify the way you treated me, Abby." With those words, Leni walked away, leaving them all stunned.

"Leni..." Bongbong whispered, his gaze shifting between his children. Yannie cradled a sobbing Abby in her arms, Bongbong followed Leni to their bedroom.

***

Bongbong held Leni tightly, determined to provide her with the support she desperately needed. Her tear-stained face reflected a deep sense of confusion and despair. "Lovey... gagawan natin ito ng paraan," he whispered, his voice laced with sincerity.

Leni's sobs began to subside as she tried to compose herself. "I don't understand what's happening, Bong. Everything feels so chaotic," she confessed, her voice trembling.

Bongbong gently cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes with reassurance. "Aayusin natin ito Leni, hindi na ako papayag na magiging magulo ulit ang pamilya natin."

Leni's expression remained filled with doubt as she voiced her concerns. "How, Bong? It feels like our lives are falling apart once again. I can't bear to see our children in pain because of us. Maybe they're right... maybe we shouldn't have come back together."

Bongbong's heart skipped a beat at the thought of losing Leni and their renewed chance at a future together. "No, Leni. I won't leave you or our children again. I made that mistake once, and I refuse to repeat it," he declared, wiping away her tears with tenderness.

Leni's eyes searched his face, seeking solace and a glimmer of hope. "Then what do we do now?"

"We need to talk to them, but not right now. Mataas masyado ang mga emosyon natin, and none of us can think clearly in this state," Bongbong suggested, holding her close, hoping to bring some calmness to their shattered world. He contemplated the best way to rebuild their fractured family.

"We'll give them space to process their feelings, and when the time is right, we'll sit down as a family and have an open, honest conversation," Bongbong continued, his voice filled with determination. "We'll listen to their concerns, validate their emotions, and reassure them that we're committed to finding a better way forward."

Leni looked at him, a mixture of uncertainty and hope in her eyes. "Do you really think we can fix this, Bong?"

Bongbong met her gaze, his love for her and their children unwavering. "Yes, Leni. Our family is resilient, and together we can overcome any challenge. We'll seek professional help if needed, and we'll learn from our mistakes. We owe it to ourselves and our children to build a healthier, happier future."

As they clung to each other, their bond felt fragile yet resolute. Bongbong knew that rebuilding their family would require time, patience, and a genuine commitment to change. He prayed that with their love as the foundation, they could mend the wounds they had inflicted on their children and create a brighter tomorrow.

In the days to come, Leni and Bongbong would embark on a difficult journey of healing and reconciliation, guided by the hope that their family could rise above the pain and turmoil. It was a journey that would test their resilience, but they were determined to rebuild what had been broken, and in doing so, find strength in each other once again.

***

Yanni's hugging Abby while Jajah's lying beside them. "Gusto naman natin ito diba ate?" Abby whispered, they could barely hear her.

"Yes Abby, gusto natin silang mag kabalikan pero hindi sa paraang masasaktan ulit tayo" Yannie answered.

William cleared his throat, "guys, look," the three of them look at William, "alam kong nasasaktan kayo. Alam kong nahihirapan kayo and naiintindihan ko pero sana maintindihan niyo rin na tao lang ang mga magulang niyo. Hindi nila gustong masaktan kayo pero tao lang sila, hindi sila perpekto."

That made Abby cry, "I'm the worst, dapat hindi ko sinabi yun kay mama"

"Your mama will understand, kailangan niyo lang mag usap ng maayos" he said.

Yannie hug Abby tightly, "it's okay Abby, kausapin nalang natin sila mama"

***

Leni decided to bake to get her mind off their problem. She just couldn't believe that once again, she in this situation while Bongbong's helping her set up the oven, "Ma..." she looked up and saw her children standing in front of them.

"Mga anak..." she uttered. She was shocked to see them since she expected that she will be the one who will talk to them.

She saw the regret in her children's eyes. They don't need to speak for her to be able to understand what they are trying to say.

"Come here" she said. Abby run to hug her, "sorry mama" she whispered.

Leni kissed her forehead then Yannie and Jajah hug her also. Bongbong smiled with William then they joined the family hug.

"Grooooup huuug!!!" William exclaimed.