"Pretty Little Promise's"

Chapter 69" Give me reason to stay"

Theresia:

The plaza buzzed - a chaotic symphony of laughter, chatter, and the rhythmic thump of children's feet. It was my day off, a precious respite from the suffocating weight of my unhappiness, but even the vibrant energy of the crowd couldn't quite reach the hollowness inside me. I needed an escape, a temporary reprieve from the relentless ache in my chest. I needed to forget, even just for a little while.

Naglakad-lakad ako kaunti

Lahat lahat nagkukumpulan, mga mukha nila nakasubsob sa mga phone nila kulang nalang kainin nila .

Ang saya-saya nila pero ako....

An elderly couple sat on a bench, their hands intertwined, their quiet conversation a testament to a lifetime of shared moments. A lone street musician played a melancholic tune on his guitar, his fingers dancing across the strings with practiced ease.

Each scene, in its own way, both fascinated and saddened me. The carefree joy of the teenagers, the quiet contentment of the elderly couple, the soulful expression of the musician - all painted a vivid picture of lives lived fully, lives rich with connection and purpose. Lives I longed for.

A life I so desperately wanted to have, with Alice.

Pero bigla akong napahinto nang makita ko yung mag-asawa, may hawak na baby sa braso ng babae.

Napaka ganda ng anak nila,

"Look, love," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion; "she has your eyes."

They are happy ........

Biglang nanikip ang dibdib ko.

Naalala ko na naman yung matinding pangungulila, yung matinding pagnanais na magkaroon din ng pamilya.

Sana... sana may anak na din ako...

Gustong-gusto kong magkaanak. Kahit ano pang gender, basta anak ko siya. Pero si Alice... shes not yet ready

Hindi pa raw siya handa

Pinangarap kong magkaroon ng kambal na anak. Yung tipong sobrang likot, lagi kong hinahabol, lagi kong sinusaway. Pero puno ng saya ang mga araw ko. Sabay ko silang aalagaan, sabay silang lalaki... bibigyan ko sila ng marangyang buhay na ninanais nila

I stood there, for what felt like hours, watching the young family. The baby's peaceful slumber seemed to mock the turbulent storm raging within my own heart. I longed for that peace, for that sense of fulfillment, for the simple joy of motherhood.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Alice. The jarring sound pulled me back to reality, to the harsh truth of my own situation. I answered with a sigh, the weight of my decision -the decision I was slowly making- pressing down on me.

"What?" I said, my voice flat, my patience thin.

"Hon, uuwi ka ba ? I made dinner," her voice was gentle, laced with a sweetness that no longer reached me.

Usually, I'd go straight to the condo. I couldn't bear the emptiness of our house, the silence that seemed to scream of all we'd lost.

"Maybe," I replied, keeping my tone carefully neutral.

I ended the call, the silence that followed amplifying everything I didn't say. The truth was, I was already planning. Already contemplating. The only thing I wanted to be clear about was the fact that if she couldn't give me a family, it was over. I was done.

...
Isang bagay lang ang hinihiling ko kay Alice: ang magkaanak kami. Kung hindi niya maibigay sa akin 'yun... wala nang patutunguhan ang relasyon namin. Handa na akong mag-file ng divorce.