Finding Peace In The Missing Piece

Chapter 29 - Back Home

Back Home!

It was one of those rare quiet nights in France. The kind of night where the city's usual hum fades into a soft murmur, and you can almost forget the chaos outside. I was savoring a glass of wine, letting the day's stress melt away, when my phone rang. The name 'Lexus' flashed on the screen, and I smiled. My brother rarely called, preferring texts and emails. Something must be up.

Ano naman kaya kailangan ng isang toh? Rare to ah.

"Hey, Kuya Lexus! What's up?" I answered, expecting the usual banter.

"Xena, I have some news," he began, his voice unusually serious.

I straightened up, the lighthearted mood vanishing. "This sounds serious. What's going on?" Wala namang masamang nangyari sa magulang namin di'ba?

"I'm getting married," he said, and I felt my jaw drop.

Ano daw? Kakaalis lang nila dito last month ah? Puta! Gagawin yata akong ninang! Wala akong pera!!!

"Married? To who?" I asked, my mind racing. Lexus had always been the elusive bachelor, never one to settle down. Sabi niya sa'kin.

"To Lyxa," he said quietly.

Lyxa. The name hit me like a long and big train. Memories of their relationship flooded back. "Wow, I didn't see that coming. When did you guys reconnect?" Sumeryoso ang boses ko. Bakit hindi ko alam ito?

"Actually, it's been a few months now. There’s something else, Xena. Lyxa has a son."

"A son?" I repeated, bewildered. "How old is he?"

May anak na siya? What the hell Lyxa! Tapos babalikan mo si Kuya?

"He's four," Lexus replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

I felt a cold chill run down my spine. "Wait, are you saying...?"

"Yes, he's my son. Lyxa kept it from me all these years," he confirmed.

I almost spilled my wine. "Kuya! I can't believe this. She hid your son for four years?"

Anong dahilan?! Oo at naghiwalay sila pero sana sinabi niya!

"I know. It’s been a lot to process. I want you to come back to the Philippines, Xena. I need you here," he pleaded.

I paused, trying to absorb everything. This was huge. Life-changing. "Kuya, this is huge. I... I need to think about it." Sabi ko.

"Please, Xena. I need my sister here. We need to figure this out together," he said, his voice breaking.

My heart ached for him. "Alright, Kuya, I’ll book a flight tomorrow. I’ll be there pero wag mo sasabihin kina Daddy ah?."

"Thank you, Xena. It means a lot, I won't tell them." he said, relief evident in his voice.

"Anything for you, Kuya Lexus. See you soon."

As we hung up, I sat in silence, the weight of the news sinking in. I took another sip of my wine, staring out the window at the New York skyline. Tomorrow, my life was about to change.

Ikakasal? Woah! I'm super excited to see my nephew! Is he looked like my brother or Ate Lyxa? Let's see.

_______________

Booking the flight was easy. Malaki nga lang ang nagastos at agarang flight huhu. Sisingilin ko si Kuya Lexus pagdating ko. Saying goodbye to France, even temporarily, was harder. I had built a life here – a career, friends, a semblance of stability. But family always came first. The next morning, I packed my bags, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.