Hiding His Daughter

CHAPTER 49

GLAIZA AND ANDREA'S FRIENDSHIP II

Glaiza's POV

Pilit kong pinipigilan ang hikbi ng makita si Freddieric na hinihintay kami.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at niyakap siya. "Glad you two land safe and finally accepted our offer." bulong niya.

Ayaw ko mang tanggapin ang offer nila ngunit kailangan naming bumawi para kay Eliana, kung dito kami magiging successful mag tatyaga kaming mag trabaho. This was our chance to build a better future for her.

Ngumiti ng tipid si Eduardo. "Kamusta ang mag ina mo?" niyakap niya si Freddieric.

"They are fine, let's go? Will go to your new house, next to our house."

The car ride was surprisingly peaceful, filled with a quiet understanding, a shared hope for the future, and a quiet gratitude for the opportunity that lay before us. We were far from home, far from Eliana, but we were together, and that was enough, for now.

"Thank you, Freddieric. Thank you for everything..." pasasalamat ko ng marating ang sinasabi niyang bahay namin.

Ngumiti siya. "We're friends for years, and this is our plan, right? Live in Russia while we are together." saad niya.

Eduardo chuckled. "It is the plan... But you and Andrea paying for our bills isn't." sambit niya.

The house was modest, but it was ours. A small, functional space, it held the promise of a new beginning, a fresh start. As we explored the rooms, a quiet sense of determination settled over us. This wasn't the life we had envisioned, but it was a chance, an opportunity to build a better future for Eliana.

"It's… perfect," I said, the word feeling both sincere and slightly forced. The truth was, it was far from perfect, but it was a foundation, a place to start rebuilding our lives.

Eduardo smiled, a genuine smile this time, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "It's a home," he said, his voice filled with quiet strength. He picked up the framed photo of Eliana, holding it close. "We'll make this work," he said, his gaze unwavering. "For her." I hugged him tight.

I blinked twice. "Sa tingin mo tama ang ginawa natin? We are here in Russia while she's in the Philippines... with your brother?" I whispered.

Takot akong umuwi sa Pilipinas na hindi ako kilala ng anak namin. Ayaw kong lumaki siyang malayo ang loob niya sa amin ngunit hindi ko rin naman kakayaning mamuhay siyang naghihirap sa puder namin.

I didn't want Eliana to grow up feeling abandoned, to resent us for the sacrifices we had made.

"It was the hardest decision of our lives, Glaiza," he said, his voice low and strained. "We couldn't provide for her here. We couldn't give her the life she deserves."

Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim at mariing tinignan ang picture naming dalawa ni Eliana nung kakapanganak ko sa kaniya.

Eduardo hugged me from the back. "Come on," he said, extending a hand. "Let's unpack.  Let's make this place a home."

Patago akong nakangiti habang hawak ang mga pizza.

Eduardo rang the bell while I am fixing myself. Kinakabahan ako na na e-excite. Ngayon namin isusurpresa si Andrea.

The door opened, Andrea and her son Jaiden. I bit my lips to stop myself from crying.

"Pizza..." Eduardo cleared his throat. "Pizza delivery."

Andrea's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mixture of confusion and cautious hope. Jaiden, ever observant, peered around her legs, his gaze fixed on the pizza boxes.