TLH2: Royal Comeback (Completed) #Wattys2016

TLH2: Chapter 20

Erin's POV

"Erin, can I talk to you for a second?"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin and I saw Mom. Tumayo ako at nilapitan ito.

"About what, Mom?"

Pumasok ito nang tuluyan sa kwarto ko at naupo sa kama. I followed her and did the same thing. Mom held my hand.

"It's about my grandson, Ivo."

Bigla ay kinabahan ako. "What about Ivo?"

Mom looked at me straight in the eyes. "Are you planning to send him back to London? Or are you gonna let him stay in here for good?"

"Mommy, I-I haven't think about it." Nahihiyang sabi ko dito.

Hinigpitan ni Mommy ang hawak niya sa akin. "Anak, I know what you are afraid of but think about Ivo. I know that he's the most important person to you now but can you take it if one day, Ivo isn't Ivo anymore?"

What Mom asked about me made me think of it. Mag-iisang buwan na din palang andito si Ivo. Hindi ko man lang napansin. Pero letting him stay here? For good? Muli, ay nilukob nanaman ako ng takot. Kung hahayaan kong mag-stay here for good si Ivo, may mga possibilities na one of these days, magkita sila ng ama niya. Pero if I will send him back to London, malulungkot nanaman ang anak ko. And worst, baka lumayo pa ang loob niya sa akin. Ivo is growing up, and I can't take it kapag nalayo ang loob niya sa akin.

"I don't know."

"Erin, just think about your son, nothing else. Think about the things that you will regret if you choose the wrong decision."

Either of the two options, I know I must choose one. I'll choose the best one. Tama si Mommy, si Ivo lang dapat ang iniisip ko ngayon. I don't want waking up one day, regretting the decision I've made today.

"Mom, where's Ivo?"

Mom smiled at me and told me where I can find Ivo. Agad akong lumabas ng kwarto ko at pinuntahan si Ivo sa garden kung saan daw ito naglalaro ngayon kasama si Yaya Faye. May playground kasing pinagawa sila Mommy para kay sa kanya dito.

Napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko, I still got some time. Paglabas ko ng garden, natatanaw ko na agad si Ivo sa malayo na naglalaro sa sandbox with his toy cars. Napailing ako, mahilig talaga sa kotse ang anak ko. I wonder kung paglaki nito, mahilig pa din siya sa mga kotse.

"Ivo!"

He caught my attention and our eyes met. Nilapitan ko ito. I sat in a squat position para magpantay kami. I smiled at him.

"Hey, big boy."

"Hi, mommy." Bibong sabi nito.

Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko. Ito ang pinakagusto ko kay Ivo, napaka-bibo.

"Mommy wants to ask you something."

He plays his car like an airplane and crashed it to the sand. "What's that?"

"Hmm.. How much do you love the Philippines, anak?"

Natigil ito sa paglalaro and tilted his head. Hindi ko naman mapigilang kurutin ito sa pisngi dahil sobrang cute ng anak ko! He places his hand on his chin and think like an old man. Natawa ako.

"I love the Philippines so much because you are here, Mommy. I'll always love to be wherever you are." Sweet na sabi nito and I can't help but to be touched by his words. Bata palang si Ivo pero he talks like a man.

Holding back the tears, I ask him again "And how about London? Do you also love it there?"

Ivo pouted. "I like it there Mommy, I have my friends but I don't love it because you are not there."