Captive Love

o.

After being away for years, I'll be going back to the Philippines. If it weren't for my client, I would never step foot in that country again. I'm staying here in France for six years now. 

I looked at my twins, who were sleeping peacefully in our bed. I'm a single parent. Dito ko na sila ipinanganak. They look exactly like him, my twin's father. Kumirot na naman ang puso ko dahil sa galit at hinanakit para sa lalaking iyon.

Tumabi ako sa kanila at hinaplos ang kanilang mga ulo. They are Sirius Xanthirauv Katova and Silvanus Alastrauv Katova. They are identical. Sirius came out first, before Silas. They are five years old now. My twins have their father's features, especially their amber eyes.

I know they're wondering why it's only the three of us. They might never have questioned me about their father, but I know them better; they are just afraid of the answer.

Tumabi ako sa kanila at niyakap silang pareho. Nakatulog narin ako kalaunan.

Kinabukasan ay nagising ako sa mahihinang boses. I just pretended to be asleep while listening to their conversation.

"I've already told you not to wake mommy up, Silas. She's tired, let her sleep for more." Sirius is stopping his younger brother.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi ng panganay ko. Sa murang edad parang matanda na ito kung magsalita. Masiyado itong seryoso habang ang bunso naman ay napakakulit.

"But Kuya Sirius, I wanna play with Mom. She's been busy with work lately. I missed her a lot." my youngest said sadly.

Parang dinurog naman ang puso ko sa narinig. Masiyado lang talaga akong busy sa work kaya hindi na kami nakakapagbonding. I'm working as an architect here at our own firm in France.

Parati akong naglalaan ng oras para sa kanila pero nitong mga nakaraan ay sobrang hectic ng schedule ko. Ang daming mga projects na kailangang asikasuhin. Namimiss ko narin ang mga babies ko. I-momoved ko nalang ang flight ko next week.

I slowly opened my eyes, and their sad faces greeted me.

Nang makita akong gising na ay dali-dali naman silang lumapit sa akin. I rose up and immediately hugged them. They also wrapped their tiny little arms around me.

"Good morning, Mommy. How's your sleep. Did we wake you up?" I chuckled and ruffled Silas hair, ang daldal talaga.

"Good morning too, my handsome babies. And mommy had a good sleep last night. How about the two of you?"

They both just nodded. I looked at
Sirius and pinched his cheek. He just let me. Ang popogi talaga ng mga anak ko.

May nunal si Silas malapit sa bibig habang si Sirius naman ay sa ibabang  bahagi ng kanyang left eye.

"I love you both, my sons. I'm sorry if we couldn't bond lately. I missed you too. I'll make it up to you. We'll play anything you want to play, okay? Mommy loves you so much."

Sila ang lakas at kahinaan ko noong mga panahong lugmok ako. If it weren't for them, siguro miserable parin ako hanggang ngayon.

I cooked our breakfast, and we ate together. And just like what I promised them. We bonded and played a lot to catch up the times we couldn't do those.

Katatapos ko lang silang paliguan.
I helped them put on their pajamas, then I tucked them into bed afterwards. I already texted my secretary to move my flight to next week.

"Mom, do we have a father? Why isn't he with us?" Silas asked curiously. Nanlamig ang sikmura ko sa narinig.

I looked at Sirius, but he just looked away; it's as if he doesn't find the topic interesting at all. I looked back at Silas. Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko.