Regret

Kapitulo nueve

Irene's POV

"Don't you think so Dear?" Greggy's inquiring voice sucked me out of the memories of the past back into the present.

"Dear? Okay ka lang sweetheart?" My ears heard his voice but my eyes only saw Erine's.

I saw the answer to what I had wondered and never found out so many years ago. We left her at the hospital before I even saw her with her eyes opened.

Walang araw sa loob ng 16 na taon na hindi ko siya naisip, about her eyes- of course I had seen them noong una kaming magkita sa mall and each time after but hindi ko kailanman nagawang pagmasdan ang mga iyon.

But sitting here in the dining area, in front of her, I was lost in them. I felt like I was drowning in both awe struck love and crippling sorrow.

However I had my answer- light brown. My baby's eyes were light brown and chinita.

I so wished I had been able to see them the first time they opened and wiped away tears from them each time they cried and to be able to watch them grow wide with delight at the Christmas tree lit up surrounded by gifts or fireworks at Disney World as I held her close on my hip.

"I'm so sorry...I just..." I blinked a few times, shaking my head as I tried to find my words.

"I dozed off." I gave a tiny smile before sipping the sweet juice that I had apparently been holding suspended in my hand when my mind had drifted off.

"Okay..." Greggy mumbled the reply, eyes narrowing slightly in worry as he looked me over for clues to the truth.

"I was just telling Ely that I think she and hey kuya Luis will get along very well, they're quite alike don't you think?"

"So much alike..." My throat felt dry as I answered despite just drinking the juice.

"You two have very similar personalities... both mahilig sa sports and 'smart' funny ...the sarcasm is something you both magkapatid definitely share." I smiled with a playful eye roll causing both Greggy to chuckle and Erine to laugh knowingly.

"Yes I think magkakasundo kayo magkapatid, of course si kuya Alfonso mo din."

"Excited na po akong makilala sila." Erine stated softly a bit shy.

"I've always wanted siblings."

"Well now you have two." Greggy grinned.

"You'll certainly never have to worry about a life alone."

"Finally! Hindi na dingding ang kakausapin ko!" Erine exclaimed.

"If you want to see their picture, pwede kong ipakita sa'yo?" Greggy suggested, and tumayo s'ya sa kanyang inuupuan when our daughter nodded in agreement.

I walked a bit behind them into the living room, photo frames were on the mantle and each decorative table- lahat ay may picture namin as a family.

Greggy took great pride as he pointed out each one of Erine's siblings, speaking warmly of them- I watched her take in each individual and even more so, I watched her take in her father.

Greggy was so very easy to love, he was strong but gentle, brilliant but kind, hilarious but sensitive. He was wonderful, something I could tell Erine was realizing as she watched him carefully, processing all that was her dad and just how lovely he was.

"The mantle is just our children... 2 frames filled with all our love..." He explained before stopping to turn to Erine.

"Well...almost... I believe a 3rd frame will make our love complete yes?" He and Emma exchanged warm smiles and she let out a tiny laugh of shyness.