Under The City Lights Of Chicago

Chapter 35

"He's working here. My Tita Emma and Mommy told me! You don't know him?"

Mabilis kong hinanap ang kamay ni Zee para hawakan at mapaalis siya dito.

"Let's go. Your tita Emma is looking for you."

Zaiden's vision became blurry. He was kneeling while looking at Zee. Naka awang iyong labi hindi alam iyong sasabihin! He was glued there. Na kahit kinuha ko na si Zee ay sinundan lang niya iyong mg tingin.

He looked so tired. Nawalan na ng lakas.

I hurriedly lift Zee up. "Mommy?"

"Koleen!" Zaiden's voice echoed.

Nang makita ni Cha. Na mabilis akong lumapit sa sasakyan nila. Ate Emma were already driving and Ken hurriedly opened the door for Cha and Zee.

"Paano ka?"

Mabilis ang paghinga ko. "Su-susunod lang ako."

Nakatayo lang ako habang pinapanood ang papaalis na sasakyan nila. Marahas akong hinila ni Zaiden palapit sa patagong lugar. His friends were also there. Kita ko kung paano kumislap iyong galit sa mga mata ni Zaiden.

"Zai-" he face me.

"Is it true?" Mahinahon niyang tanong. His chest were moving so hard because of the emotions he is hiding deep inside.

He rested his hands on his hips. And then looked at me. He tried to calm himself. Para hindi ako masigawan.

"Zai let me explain-"

"Is she my daughter?" He asked, cautiously.

I saw how his eyes glistened. Hoping I'll say yes to his question. Hoping I'll admit that Zee is her daughter.

Mabilis na pumatak iyong luha ko. Maingat akong napayuko, I gently nod my head as I covered my mouth with my palms. Pero kahit ano ang gagawin ko tumatakas parin ang hikbi ko. Bumagsak iyong balikat niya. His tears fell. He looked at me. Pagod, galit, naghihinayang, at nagsisisi ang makikita mo sa ekspresiyon niya.

"H-how come?" Napaupo siya sa curbing stop. Nanghihina. "H-how?"

I bit my lips as he looked at me so desperately. "W-We got twins. The other one survived." I continued.

"We have so many times together. But why didn't you tell me?" Nagsusumamo iyong boses niya.

Napailing ako. At tanging ang pag iyak lang ang maririnig sa parking lot ngayon.

"I'm just waiting for the right time. Natatakot ako... What if you won't accept us anymore, you won't accept her?" My body felt weak.

Mabilis siyang umiwas at napahilamos ng mukha.

"She's my daughter K-Koleen for God's sake! I'm not that heartless...." Pumiyok ang boses niya. "You should've told me!"

Mabilis siyang tumayo at tinitigan ako. "Why din't you tell me?!" His voice thundered. "If I never saw her in the parking lot... I'll never get to know her. I never have the chance to talk, to see, and to hold her. You kept it from me!"

Ramdam ko ang galit na namumuo sa kaluoban ko dahil sa pag-sigaw niya. Yes. He has a part to get mad at me for keeping our daughter away from him. But I just did what's the best for Zee.

He stepped closer.

"Zaiden... I don't want to be an issue. People knew that you're engaged! Kaya sabihin mo! How will I tell you about our child?!"

Hinayaan niya akong magsalita.

"Wala na tayo no'n Zai! We're over! Don't you remember that I already signed the papers? Divorce na tayo. Wala na!"