Cold hearts

05

Chapter 05: "Si Sese, she's once a bubbly and happy child."
***

Being surrounded by steet children wasn't new to Saoise, in fact she's already used to it. Every time Greggy brings her to the streets, there is no time she'll not interact with other kids.

Sitting with a child straddling on her lap while sleeping, Saoirse can't help but to pull her closer as if she's a mother who's scared to lose a child. A small genuine smile appear on her face.

"Nako ma'am, pasensya na po at nakatulog yung anak ko." The mother of the child apologized, carrying her daughter. Saoirse smiled at her before speaking.

"Ok lang po yun." She said softly, standing up, caressing the child's forehead. "You are blessed with a beautiful daughter, wag mo po siyang iiwan or sasaktan." Saoirse said to the mother.

The mother nodded her head before walking away, singing a soft lullaby for the child. Saoirse felt her heart tighten at the scene, she can't help but to feel jealous. "I wished you sang a lullaby for me before you left me, mommy." She whispered.

***

Irene can be seen in a restaurant at BGC with her friends, Ana, Kaye, and Michelle. They're incomplete, Dawn isn't around, they found out what happened already, and the three of them can't help but to hide their disappointment at Irene's decisions just because of Saoirse.

"Irene, hanggang kailan mo ba kayang tiisin si Dawn? You two are like the closest, bakit nag ka ganito? Are you mad kasi Dawn became like a mother to Sese? Or are you jealous dahil mas close si Sese kay Dawn kesa sa'yo?" Irene was taken aback by Michelle's questions.

Irene sighed and looked away, sipping her tea elegantly and gracefully. "I just did what's right, Shelly, besides it wasn't my fault, kung marunong dumistansya ang isa sa kanila, hindi mangyayari to." Irene said, defensively.

Kaye groaned, audibly. "Irene naman, kahit ngayon lang, paki babaan ang pride, please." Michelle shook her head.

"C'mon Kaye, sarili niya ngang anak sinukuan niya, yung friendship pa kaya niya kay Dawn, excuse me, I have to time for this nonsense." Michelle walked out, annoyed. Kaye followed her, leaving Irene and Ana alone.

"Irene, you know you're my friend, it's not that I'm going against you, but I think it's better to fix everything before it's too late." Ana said, softly, reaching Irene's hands.

"I know Sese actually." Ana said. Irene looked at Ana, shocked and perplexed.

"You do?" She asked.

"Just like Dawn, I basically raised her as if she's my own, nag kataon lang talaga na mas close siya kay Dawny. Si Sese, she's once a bubby and happy child." Ana said before sipping her tea.

"What do you mean by once?" Irene asked her once again. Ana looked her, sighing deeply, still hesitant if she's going to tell her or not.

"She's a joyful, full laughter, and a ball of sunshine, until she turned seven, her whole childhood was replaced by rules, perfection, traumas, and pressure, when her aunt, Arlene, returned from Netherlands." Ana said, remembering how Saoirse's genuine smile was replaced by sadness and coldness.

Flashback

"Your hair has to be perfect, my dear."