I Own You, Lira

Chapter 23

It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.
-Rose Kennedy

After 5 years...

Ben PoV

Hawak ni Lira si Baby Xion habang inaalalayan niya ito sa paghipan ng kandila sa cake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY Xion ." Sigaw ng mga bata. Since Xion is just a one year old lil' guy, si Lira na ang naghipan.

"Wait guys!" Napatingin kami sa sumigaw. It was Xion's Dad. "Picture muna!"

"Look Xion, andyan na si Daddy Warren." Masayang sinabi ni Lira while waving Xion's hand.

Pagkatapos ng party, nagsialisan na ang mga bisita. This is all I've been waiting for.

"Yo, detective." Nilapitan ako ni Warren habang karga-karga si Xion. "Buti pumunta ka, akala ko busy ka?"

Im not really a fan of birthday parties pero dahil may mahalagang request si Lira, pumunta na ko. I need to keep it a secret or else Warren will burst out in rage.

"Detective, buhay ka pa ba?" Warren wiggled his left hand infront of me. Mas pabebe pa siya kesa kay Xion.

"Ah, yea- yeah." I smiled. " It was cancelled kaya pumunta na ko."

"So kung hindi yun maka-cancel hindi ka pupunta?" Oh god. Warren is more fit on becoming a detective than me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well-"

"Warren!" Napatingin kami sa kanan, thank God Lira came. She's a life saver.

"Oh ho-okay" Agad umalis si Warren sa harap ko at ibinigay niya si Xion kay Lira.

"I'll go ahead." Warren smiled and kissed Xion's forehead. " Ikaw na bahala, bye."

Pagkaalis ni Warren, nagpatuloy si Lira sa paglalakad papunta sa akin.

"Detective, its been a while." Lira said. "Sorry kung kailan magkikita tayo, doon pa ko humingi ng favor."

"Im fine with ." Just like superman, it's my duty to help people.

"Thank you detective." Maraming beses na rin siyang nag-pasalamat and it overwhelms me.

"By the way." I looked at her with concerned look. "How was you're therapy?"

"Look at me." She said in a cheerful tone. "Ok na ko, 5 years na ang nakalipas at wala na rin yung trauma na nararamdaman ko."

"Are you sure?" Im concerned for her, kaya na ba talaga niyang harapin ang taong nanakit sa kanya at nagdala ng masasamang alala sa memorya niya.

She tapped my shoulder.
"Yes, he gave me nightmares. At oras na ngayon para harapin siya."

"You're drinking your medicines right?" Good thing she's beeing monitored by a psychologist. Kahit papaano nababawasan ang trauma niya.

"Yes." She paused. "But it's not enough. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit niya nagawa yon."

"He's insane and totally allured with you." I left out a sigh. "That's why."

"Alam ko pero sa palagay ko may mas malalim pa siyang dahilan."

She looks determined, unlike before I met her. A fragile woman whose totally broken.

"It's time for me to forgive him." She added.

"That would please him."

She lifted her left eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Oh no." I raised my both hands. " Not in a pscho way."

"I know Detective!"

We laughed together along with Xion whose curious about what's happening in his surrounding.

Such an innocent child...

"But before we go." She became serious. I hate this atmosphere.

"Ano yon?"

"Let's visit her first..."

"Why not?" I nodded.

Lira groomed Xion's head. He got his mother's eyes.

----

"She's in a safe place now." Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Lira. Whenever she visits her grave, Xion is with her.

"Pakihawak muna si Xion."

"Sure." Kinarga ko Xion at ibinigay ko sa kanya ang bouquet na binili namin. "Thank you."

I smiled at her. She kneeled over the grave and placed the bouquet of white roses.

"Kung buhay lang siya ngayon, masaya niyang makikita ang paglaki ni Xion."

I could hear the pain she'd been through.

I looked at Xion and groomed his fluffy hair. "Don't worry kid, your mom is in safe place."

"We're here for you Xion." Lira said smiling at him.

"Wag kang mag-alala Cindy, nandito lang kami sa tabi ni Xion."
Sabi ni Lira sa puntod.

Its been a year since Cindy died because of plane crash. Doble ang hinanakit na naramdaman ni Lira noon. She was recovering from a trauma and then her bestfriend died. Dumating pa sa puntong pinanghinaan na siya ng loob. Luckily she survived with the help of us and her therapist.

Ngayon, siya na ang nagsilbing mommy ni Xion although she is not in a special relationship with Warren.

Tumayo si Lira sa harap ko at pinunas ang kanyang luha.

"Ok ka lang ba?" I asked. "Kung gusto mo,bukas na lang natin puntahan si Daniel."

"No, no." She smiled sheepishly. " Nadala lang ako ng emosyon."

I smiled at her and caressed her shoulder. Kinuha niya na si Xion at naglakad kami paalis ng sementeryo.
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To be continued.....