HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 36

ANGELA'S POV

"Shhh, Tita, 'wag ka na pong umiyak," sabi ni Axel, habang dahan-dahang pinupunasan ang luha ko gamit ang maliit niyang kamay. His innocent gesture broke my heart even more. Nandito na sila. Napa-punta sila kanina dito nang malaman nilang nawawala si Althea. Matagal na palang alam ni Kuya Alvin ang tungkol kay Axel. Hinihintay lang niya na si Catherine ang magsabi sa kanya.

Kanina pa ako iyak ng iyak dito, kakaisip sa anak ko. My head was throbbing, and my throat was raw from all the crying. The helplessness I felt was overwhelming.

"Oo nga, Reese, si Althea pa," pagkukumbinsi sa akin ni Cath, trying to soothe me. She was hugging me tight, but her words felt empty.

"Wala naman kasi kayong alam!" galit na sabi ko sa kanila, pulling away from Catherine's embrace. Hindi naman sila 'yung nanay ni Althea. They didn't understand the depth of my fear. How could they?

Paano ko kakalma kung alam kong nandoon 'yung anak ko, hindi ko man lang nakikita? Every minute felt like an eternity, every thought a torture. My imagination conjured the worst scenarios, and I couldn't stop it.

Kapag may nangyaring masama sa anak ko, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. The thought alone was enough to send another wave of tears down my face. I would crumble.

"Miss Angela, I'm so sorry," si Xianna, her eyes filled with genuine regret. Ayoko siyang sisihin; wala naman siyang kasalanan. Hindi niya alam.

"My dear, calm down. They'll bring Althea back, I'm sure of it," pagpapatahan sa akin ni Mom, stroking my hair gently. Her voice was usually so strong, but now it was laced with concern.

"Hindi, Mom, e. Paano kung may masamang mangyari sa anak ko? Hindi ko po kakayanin," umiiyak na sabi ko, burying my face in her shoulder. It was a mother's worst nightmare come true.

"Magtiwala ka kila Jaiden, anak," si Dad, his voice calm and steady. He always had a way of grounding me, even in the most chaotic situations. He placed a reassuring hand on my back.

Napatingin kami sa pinto nang bumukas ito. Pumasok si Althea! She was walking in, seemingly unharmed. Nasa likod niya si Jaiden saka sila Kuya Anthony, Kuya Alvin, and Kuya Adrian.

Mabilis akong pumunta sa anak ko, my legs trembling. Walang tigil ang luha ko, but this time, they were tears of immense relief and joy.

"Mommy!" sabi niya, her voice a sweet melody to my ears. Binuhat ko naman siya agad, and she wrapped her small arms tightly around my neck. Napahikbi na lang ako, holding her as close as I possibly could.

"Thank God," nasabi ko, a whispered prayer of gratitude escaping my lips. My baby was safe.

"I miss you, baby. Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Does anything hurt? Tell Mommy," sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa anak ko, peppering her face with kisses. I needed to know every detail, to reassure myself she was truly unharmed.

Hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi. "No, Mommy, don't cry po. I'm okay," sabi niya, her small hand patting my back. Her resilience always amazed me.

Lumapit sa akin si Jaiden, so napatingin ako sa kanya. He reached out and gently kissed my forehead, a silent acknowledgment of my pain and relief.

"Don't cry, love. Our daughter is safe," bulong niya sa akin, his arms wrapping around both me and Althea, creating a protective cocoon.

"Thank you," mahinang sabi ko, looking up at him, my eyes still brimming with tears. He saved her. He always does.

Napatingin ako kay Kuya Anthony nang sumisipol ito habang nakatingin sa amin. He had that mischievous grin on his face. Nakahawak siya sa bewang ni Xianna, and Xianna naman ay nakangiti sa amin.