I'll Be Back

20

2 years later....

Aiah

It's as if my whole world transformed the moment I heard my baby girl's first cry. It's almost a year since I gave birth to her, and she looks exactly like me-a tiny, perfect mini-me.

My little girl is turning one year old next month. Time flies so fast. She's very clingy and caring. It's sad that I couldn't give her the complete family she deserves, but I hope she will understand someday.

Micaiah Jane - thats what I named her. The idea popped up in my head the moment I saw her. It wasn't intentional to make her name sound like a combination of mine and Mikha's, but it just fits her perfectly.

Raising her on my own has been challenging, but every smile she gives makes it all worth it. I want to give her the best life possible, filled with love and happiness.

I've also completed my therapy sessions and feel much better. I've stopped thinking about Mikha as often, which is a relief. Though, there are still times where I wonder how she is, how she looks, and who's she's with.

Today is Sunday, a day off from work, and I'm spending it with my girl, making the most of our time together before I get busy again tomorrow. We're baking cookies, and it feels incredibly wholesome.

"taste!" she exclaimed, offering me a spoonful of cookie batter.

"Mmm! It's really sweet!" I said enthusiastically. It was actually quite good, to be honest.

She gave me a peck on the cheek and continued mixing the batter, with my help, of course.

Another fact is that neither my mom nor I ever speak to her in Tagalog, so she doesn't understand the language. I haven't bothered to teach her since I don't have any plans to return to the Philippines in the future.

"Guys? I'm home" I heard my mom's call from the living room.

"Hi, Mom. How was church?" I asked as I hugged her.

"It was really great." She answered while putting her bags down.

Jane ran from behind me and ran to her grandma excitedly. My mom immediately picked her up and gave her kisses as if they haven't seen each other for decades.

"I have something to tell you."
My mom said, her tone was very serious.

A nervous feeling crept in. "Oh? What is it?"

"We're going to the Philippines."

My world came to a halt after hearing that. Well, this was the opposite of what I said earlier. "H-huh? Why?"

She stood up from the couch, settled my daughter into her playpen, then came back and held my hand.

"Your grandparents left you their hacienda."

A wave of emotions washed over me. Di ko alam kung matutuwa ako or kakabahan.

"S-so, are we moving back there?"

"We'll visit first, and if you accept the inheritance, you can decide if you want to stay."

"I don't think I want to go back, Mom."

"Bakit naman?"

"There are so many things in the Philippines I don't want to see or revisit. I went through therapy, Mom, and all the pain is tied to that place. Baka masira lang ako ulit." Tears started to fall.