Hiding His Daughter

CHAPTER 42

Pinapanood ko lang na payapang natutulog si Jaiden. Nandito kami ngayon sa condo niya. Hinaplos ko ang pisngi niya.

I feel sorry... Sorry for lying. I'm still scared to tell him the truth. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ko itatago sa kaniya ang katotohanan gayong papalapit na ang birthday ni Jaiena.

Pumikit ako ng ilang beses ng may tumulong luha sa pisngi ni Jaiden. Inalis ko ang braso niyang nakayakap sa akin at akmang tatayo ako ng hinuli niya ang braso ko.

Agad siyang bumangon. "W-why? Why are you crying? Where are you going?" tanong niya at mahigpit ang hawak sa braso ko. "Are you going to leave me again? Please, don't. Is it because of me being suspicous? I... I'm sorry... I'll be better, just... Just don't leave me, please. Baby?" iyak niya.

Napakagat ako sa labi. Ganito ba ang epekto ng pag iwan ko sa kaniya noon? Napakasakit pala.

"Jaiden, shhh, I'm here..." bulong ko, pinipilit na alisin ang kamay niyang nakakapit sa braso ko.

His grip tightened. "No, please, don't leave. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be suspicious. I just... I was just overthinking," ang hikbi niya ang tanging naririnig ko. "Don't leave me, please..."

Umiling ako at naupo sa tabi niya saka siya niyakap. "No... No, love, I won't leave you. Pupunta lang ako sa bathroom," sabi ko, totoo naman. "I just need to freshen up a bit."

He sniffled and clung to me tighter. "Promise?"

"Promise," I whispered, kissing his hair. "I'll be right back."

I stood up carefully, trying to gently disengage his arms from around me. He held on, his eyes wide and pleading.

"Just... Just don't leave me alone," he mumbled, his voice thick with tears.

"I won't," I assured him, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back in a minute."

I headed towards the bathroom, my heart heavy. I could feel his eyes on me, his fear and vulnerability a tangible weight. It was a constant reminder of the hurt I had caused him, a wound I was still struggling to heal.

I needed to find a way to tell him the truth. But how? How could I explain everything without shattering him completely?

The bathroom door closed behind me, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The weight of my secret pressed down on me, suffocating me with its intensity. I needed to find a way to tell him, to face the consequences, to finally be free. But how?

Lumabas ako sa bathroom at gaya ng inaasahan, hinihintay niya akong lumabas. Nakaupo pa rin siya sa kama, ang mga mata'y nakatuon sa pinto. Bumuntong-hininga ako saka umupo sa tabi niya. The relief on his face was palpable.

I spread my arm, offering a hug. He immediately snuggled into me, burying his face in my neck. The scent of his skin, the warmth of his body against mine-it was grounding, reassuring. "I'm not going to leave you, okay? I'm sorry for making you worried," I whispered, my voice soft and gentle.

His embrace tightened, almost painfully so. Parang takot na takot siyang maglaho ako bigla. "I'm sorry, I was scared, I don't want to wake up without you beside me," he mumbled, his voice thick with unshed tears.

"I understand," I whispered back, stroking his hair. "Your feelings are valid, love. Let's sleep, okay? I promise, when you woke up... I'm still here." I kissed the top of his head.

Nag angat siya ng tingin sa akin. "Promise?" tumango ako. Pinatay ko na ang lump at saka nahiga agad naman siyang yumakap sa akin ng maka ayos. His body pressed against mine, seeking comfort and reassurance.

"Good morning," bati ni Jaiden ng maka rating ako ng dining.

Naupo ako habang humihikab. "What's our breakfast?" tanong ko.