His Secret Wife (Completed)

Chapter 11: heal

Chapter 11: HEAL

"A little princess is now turning four years old." The master of ceremony started with the scripted introduction. "A sweet, charming, talented, smart and a cheerful little princess of Sandra and Brendt."

Nilingon ko naman ang aking munting prinsesa na ngayo'y ngiting-ngiti at hinihintay na lang ang pagtawag ng emcee sa kanya bago pahangain ang mga bisita sa kanyang kagandahan.

She's wearing a peach dress, making her skin look more radiant. I should compliment my daughter for having a good choice when it comes to her outfits. She's also wearing a silver tiara on her head with her hair tied in a clean bun. The make up artist we got for her made her look so simple, with the natural make up she put on my daughter's face.

"Let us all welcome, Lyrae Sirius Talavera-Stewart!" the emcee announced and the audience turned their heads to my daughter.

Brendt pulled me closer to him. I leaned my head towards his chest while watching Lyrae gracefully walked her way to the mini stage.

Time flies so fast. My little princess' already four years old.

Lyrae Sirius Talavera-Stewart.

Dad objected Lyrae bringing Brendt's surname, but he agreed after Brendt and his parents talked to him. It was Brendt's petition to use his surname. Alam ko ang gusto niyang mangyari at gusto niya lang din protektahan si Lyrae. Naintindihan ko'yon kaya pumayag ako na gawing Stewart ang apelyido ni Lyrae.

I don't want her to be questioned why her surname's same as mine, and not the same as her acting father, Brendt.

Naging mahirap din sa akin ang pagdesisyunan iyon, pero nakahanda akong isugal ang lahat para sa anak ko. I don't want my daughter to suffer dahil lang sa surname niya. Ayokong maisip niyang may kulang sa kanya, dahil sa totoo lang...kaya kong ibigay sa kanya ang lahat ng gusto niya. I want her to feel that I and Brendt, beside her are already enough. Ayoko nang hanapin niya pa ang kanyang tunay na ama. That's the last thing I want to happen because I won't be able to give her what she is finding.

Hindi naman sa ipinagdadamot ko sa kanya ang katotohanan, but I think that it's not the right time para malaman ng anak ko ang mga bagay tungkol sa pagiging Sarmiento niya. I will tell her once she's already legal at hahayaan ko siyang magdesisyon if she wants to meet her father or not; to change her surname or not.

I have no idea kung ano na ang nangyayari sa Manila. I cut all the connections except for Nikki but she already quit at Sarto, right after I left. Kinalimutan ko na ang lahat five years ago. And besides, if Sean really wants to be the father of our daughter, he will do anything to find us kahit na ako ang lumayo.

But I'm sure that Lyrae being known as a Sarmiento will be a big revelation lalo na kapag nalaman nila kung kanino galing ang apelyidong Sarmiento at kung kaninong dugo ang nananalaytay sa anak ko.

I would rather hide and keep her here, safe with me. I don't regret leaving him. Lyrae's very happy and contented with her life right now and I couldn't ask for more.

"Well, before we start playing games, it's already 1:20PM and we should all get ready to sing Lyrae a happy birthday pagpatak ng 1:35PM," sabi ng emcee.

Lumabas na rin kami ni Brendt sa garden at tumulong siya sa pagbubuhat ng three-tiered Barbie cake sa harap ni Lyrae. Tumabi naman ako kay Lyrae and she looked so happy while gawking at her cake. She personally chose the design of it.

Every time Lyrae celebrates her birthday, we always ask her to blow her candles at exactly 1:35PM dahil 'yon ang oras na ipinanganak ko siya.

Pumwesto kami ni Brendt sa magkabilang gilid ni Lyrae. Pabalik-balik naman ang tingin ni Lyrae sa aming dalawa ni Brendt na katabi niya habang ngiting-ngiti.

"Mommy, Daddy, birthday wishes naman po para kay Lyrae bago siya kantahan ng birthday song at i-blow ang candle," sabi naman ng emcee at inabot kay Brendt ang kanyang hawak na microphone.

"First of all, I just want you to continue growing just the way you are because you're a definition of a perfect daughter for me," panimula ni Brendt habang nakatingin at nakangiti kay Lyrae. "You're a blessing to our family. You're our kryptonite and also our strength. For me and your mom, you're our little angle and we will always wish you the best in life. We will be forever here with you until you finally learn how to live independently. But not yet, cause you're still our little princess. I love you, princess." Brendt hugged Lyrae and kissed her forehead once again before he handed the microphone to me.

Lumingon naman agad sa akin si Lyrae. Hindi ko maiwasan ang pamumuo ng aking mga luha habang nakatingin nang diretso sa nakangiti kong anak.

"Lyrae, mommy wants to greet you a happy, happy birthday before wishing anything. So, happy birthday, my daughter!" I greeted her. "Sana malampasan mo ang lahat ng mga problemang darating sa buhay mo while you're growing up. At sana marami kang matutunan mula sa mga 'yon. I hope na mas lumawak pa ang pag-iintindi mo sa mga bagay. I won't wish na maging mabuting bata ka, because you already are kahit na medyo makulit ka. Gaya ng sabi ng daddy mo, ang gusto lang namin ay kung ano ang makakabuti sa 'yo; kung saan ka masaya. I will always love you, Lyrae. I love you so much."

Lyrae hugged me so tight, right after I spoke. She told me that she loves me, too. She kissed my cheek after hugging me and turned to her cake.

"After your Mom and Dad's wish, ano naman ang sa 'yo, little girl? What's your wish?" tanong naman ng emcee sa kanya.

My daughter smiled so widely before she turned to Brendt who's now loosening the first and second buttons of his shirt, like he's getting ready for something.

"My only wish na lagi ko pong hinihiling ay sana magpakasal na po sina mommy and daddy," she vocally announced her wish. "Kaya Daddy, game na!" biglang sigaw ni Lyrae na nagpakunot ng aking noo.

The lively music that was playing a while ago was changed into a melodramatic acoustic guitar, playing a very familiar romantic song.

"Sandra..." halos mapatalon naman ako nang biglang hawakan ni Brendt ang aking kamay.

I lowered my gaze to look at him, kneeling down on one knee while holding a box with a ring displayed on his left hand.

"I've been loving you for five years and I know that you already know that," he started.

"Alam kong naging magulo ang pagsisimula nating dalawa. It was a total chaos and not a typical love story. Handa akong ialay ang buong pagkatao at buhay ko sa 'yo pati na rin kay Layrea. I'm willing to be a good husband and father."

I bit my lower lip as I listen to all his heartfelt words. Who wouldn't melt because of it? I can feel his sincerity of offer his whole life to me and my daughter.

"Like Rae, ang tanging hiling ko lang ay ang makasal sa 'yo. Iyong maging isang totoo at buong pamilya na tayong tatlo. At kung gusto mong sundan na natin si Rae, no problem sa akin. Gusto naman niya ng kapatid," biro niya na dahilan kung bakit nagtawanan ang mga bisita.

Bahagya ko naman siyang hinampas sa kanyang matipunong braso na ikinatawa niya.

"Alam kong kinikilig ka, pero please sagutin mo muna ang tanong ko," bigla siyang sumeryuso.

Napayuko siya at rinig na rinig ko ang paghinga niya ng malamin na para bang binubuga niya ang lahat ng kaba na nasa loob niya.

After calming himself, he raised his gaze at me, looking so confident like he's willing to give everything just to hear a positive answer from me.

"Do you want to be a Stewart like Lyrae and I?" He asked and his voice was full of hope and anticipation.

I told myself before that I will be healed and will be ready to love again. I think the time has already come and the man whom I'm going to love is already waiting for my answer.

I smiled and nodded as my tears fell. "Yes..." I answered.

The invited guests cheered but my daughter's cheer was more audible.

Brendt smoothly slid the ring finger while he kept on uttering that he loves me.

Agad kaming sinugod ng yakap ni Lyrae ng maisuot ni Brendt ang singsing sa aking daliri. My daughter's crying right now because of happiness.

Now, I can finally say that I really made the right decision.