La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au

XXXVI

Mac sat quietly in her living room, the soft hum of the television filling the air. She had been absentmindedly flipping through channels when something caught her attention. The screen flickered, and the face of a woman she hadn’t seen in years appeared. Mac's heart stopped for a moment.

The news anchor’s voice was somber, "Today marks the death anniversary of Meriel Loisa Hilarlly Ricalde, the beloved veteran actress and singer, who passed away six years ago. Loisa, as she was affectionately known, left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. Fans and colleagues gather today to honor her memory."

Images of Loisa flashed across the screen her radiant smile, her captivating presence on stage, and moments from her celebrated career. Mac’s grip tightened on the remote as she watched, unable to look away. The name Ricalde echoed in her ears, stirring old memories, ones she had buried deep. Loisa, her first greatest love, was once the center of Mac's world, before everything changed.

A wave of emotions washed over her as she stared at the screen. The footage shifted to a gathering of fans lighting candles in front of a large portrait of Loisa. They placed flowers beneath it, some wiping away tears as they remembered the star who had touched their lives.

The anchor continued, "Loisa was known not only for her extraordinary talent but also for her kindness and dedication to her craft. Her music and films continue to inspire new generations. Her passing left a void in the hearts of many, and today, we remember her brilliance."

Mac’s chest tightened as the images of Loisa lingered on the screen. The years had passed, but the pain of losing her had never truly left. Watching this tribute felt like reopening an old wound.

She leaned back into the couch, her mind drifting to the past to the days when Loisa was more than just a public figure, when she was a part of Mac’s life. The memories were bittersweet, filled with both joy and regret. Mac had tried to move on, to leave that chapter behind, but moments like this reminded her that some scars never fully heal.

Mac sat frozen in front of the television, lost in memories of Loisa as the tribute continued to echo in her mind. She didn’t realize that Ariah, her wife, had quietly walked into the room. Ariah had come in with something to tell Mac but stopped in her tracks when she noticed her wife staring intently at the screen, completely absorbed by the images of Loisa, her first greatest love.

Ariah’s heart sank as she saw the expression on Mac’s face one she hadn’t seen in a long time. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was deeper, something unspoken. Mac’s eyes were full of emotion, an emotion that Ariah wasn’t sure she fully understood, but it hurt to witness. Ariah bit her lip, trying to shake off the unease settling in her chest, but it wouldn’t leave.

For a moment, she stood there, quietly watching, feeling like an outsider looking in on something intimate. Mac didn’t notice her, still caught up in the memories of Loisa.

She still thinks about her…Ariah thought to herself, the ache growing stronger. Loisa had always been a part of Mac’s past, a past that Ariah knew about but never fully understood. Mac had moved on, married her, started a new life but seeing her wife so affected by the tribute made Ariah question everything.

Ariah took a step back, her heart heavy. She didn’t want to intrude on Mac’s thoughts, but she couldn’t deny the pain she felt. It was as if she was seeing a side of Mac she hadn’t realized still existed, a part that still belonged to Loisa.

Is there still a part of her heart that I’ll never reach? Ariah wondered, her chest tightening with doubt.

She turned away, trying to keep her composure. She didn’t want to confront Mac, didn’t want to reveal the hurt that was bubbling up inside her. Instead, Ariah quietly walked out of the room, leaving Mac alone with her thoughts and the lingering presence of Loisa’s memory.

As Ariah made her way to another part of the house, she wiped away the tears that had started to form. She knew she had Mac now, in the present, but why did it feel like she was competing with a ghost from the past?

The quiet tension that now existed between them would linger, unspoken but undeniable. Ariah didn’t know how to address it, and Mac, lost in her memories of Loisa, hadn’t even noticed.
                         
                             -------

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she saw Iyah and Mairwen, their daughters, peeking into the room. Their faces were full of concern, sensing that something wasn’t right with their mom.

“Mom,” Iyah said softly as they stepped inside, “are you okay? You look… sad.”

Mairwen, always perceptive, sat down on the edge of the bed next to Ariah. “Yeah, you’ve been quiet tonight. Is something bothering you?” she asked, her voice full of worry.

Ariah forced a smile, trying to hide the pain she was feeling. She didn’t want to burden her daughters with her emotions, especially not over something they might not understand. “I’m fine, really,” she replied, her voice a bit too quick, too rehearsed.

Iyah frowned, not convinced. “But you don’t seem fine, Mom. You’ve been like this since earlier. Did something happen?”

Ariah reached out and gently stroked Mairwen’s hair, her heart softening at her daughters' concern. “No, sweetie. Nothing happened,” she said quietly, though the weight of her emotions made her voice falter just a bit.

Mairwen tilted her head, sensing that her mother wasn’t being completely truthful. “You can tell us, Mom. We’re not kids anymore.”

Ariah chuckled softly, but the sadness in her eyes didn’t fade. “I know you’re not kids anymore,” she said. “But sometimes, it’s just... grown-up things, things that aren’t important for you two to worry about.”

Iyah gave her mother a long look. “We’re here if you need us,” she said gently, her voice filled with love. “We don’t like seeing you upset.”

Ariah swallowed hard, her heart aching at how much her daughters cared. She didn’t want to burden them with her insecurities about Mac and Loisa. So, she forced herself to smile a bit brighter, hoping to reassure them. “Thank you, girls. I promise I’m okay. Just a little tired, that’s all.”

Mairwen and Iyah exchanged glances but nodded, sensing that Ariah wasn’t ready to talk about whatever was truly bothering her.

“Okay, Mom,” Mairwen said softly. “But if you ever need to talk, we’re here.”

Ariah nodded, giving both of them a warm hug. “I know,” she whispered. “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too, Mom,” Iyah replied as they hugged her back.

As they left the room, Ariah lay back down, her heart heavy once again. She had managed to hide her pain from her daughters, but deep down, she knew she couldn’t keep pushing it away forever. Sooner or later, she would have to confront the feelings that had resurfaced from watching Mac’s reaction to Loisa’s tribute. But for now, she was content to keep her worries hidden, at least from Iyah and Mairwen.