Hiding His Daughter

EPILOGUE

My phone buzzed, a familiar ringtone cutting through the quiet concentration.

"Jaiden, can you go home now? John's looking for you. You're staying there for like two weeks, he misses you already." It was Mom.

She's referring to John Cedrick, my adoptive little brother, but no matter if he's adoptive, I still love him.

Sigh escaped from my lips. "Mom, I have a lot of things to do and it's eight in the evening." I answered.

"I know, anak. But he keeps asking for you. He keeps saying he misses you, that he needs you to help him with his drawing." Her voice was thick with emotion.

"He's been drawing again?" I asked, my heart softening. John loved to draw, and I always helped him with his creations.

"Yes. And he's been so quiet without you around. Please, Jaiden. Come home."

I couldn't let him down. The books and assignments could wait. Family came first.

Inayos ko ang mga gamit ko at siniguradong nakapatay ang mga electricity saka inilock ang pinto.

I was about to enter the elevator when someone called me. "Jaiden!" It was Jr. Hinintay ko siyang makalapit. "Where are you going?" he asked

"I need to go home, my brother is looking for me." sabay kaming sumakay sa elevator and pressed the ground button.

"Sayang, nag-yayaya si Lawrence, bar daw, may ipapakilala rin sana kami sayo." when the elevator door opened, I went to parking lot, looking for my car.

I shook my head. Lawrence and Jr... womanizers, both of them.

Jr walked beside me as I searched for my car. "I'm not interested, okay?" I said, opening the driver's side door.

Jr scoffed. "Come on, you've been single since birth. You never even reply to girls who message you."

I sighed, leaning against my car. "I have no time for flirting, okay? I'd rather be single than date someone who's gonna play my feelings. This generation is full of cheaters, I mean, look at you." I said, the words sharper than I intended.

As I drove away, I glanced in the rearview mirror. Jr stood there, his face a mask of shock and perhaps, a touch of guilt.

My phone buzzed.

Jr:
Dude, you are being personal, I'm hurt. You owe me five hundred thousand.

I didn't reply, only chuckled to myself. His dramatic flair was amusing, especially considering the context of our earlier conversation.

I greeted Mom and Dad, their relief evident in their smiles. Then, I headed to John's room.

"Kuya!" John said, a little quieter than usual, as he came to me.

I knelt, hugging him tightly. "I missed you so much!" he exclaimed, his voice muffled against my shirt.

"I missed you too, buddy," I replied, stroking his hair.

"Kuya," he began hesitantly, "was it... was it really bad while you were gone?" My heart ached.

He needs assurance that you won't leave him. He was traumatize of how his parent leave him.

I hate them for leaving him that easily. No matter what thier reason is, they shouldn't left their child like that.

"No, buddy," I assured him, "It wasn't bad. I just had a lot of work to do. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

He looked at me, his eyes searching, questioning. "You won't leave me, right?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"No, I won't," I said, pulling him into another hug, holding him close until his trembling subsided. "I promise."