The Empire Series 1: Vander Lewis Rushed

1: Desiry's Birthday

Vander Lewis

"Dad, hold my hand. Kinakabahan ako." Desiry told him before they are about to enter the function hall of their hotel kung saan gaganapin ang party. Nasa loob na kasi ang mga bisita - relatives, friends, business partners, Desiry's friends and their family.

"Dad, mas malamig pa ang kamay mo kaysa sa akin ah," natatawang saad ng anak nang mahawakan ang kamay niya.

"Where's Ayder?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan.

"Nasa loob na daw, dad. Kasama si mommy." Nakangiting tugon ng anak. Hindi niya alam kung bakit mas lalo siyang kinabahan.

The kids communicate with their mother often. Tanggap ng mga ito ang naging sitwasyon nilang mag-asawa. Though there were times when his daughter would ask kung may pag-asa pa ba silang magkabalikan which he never answered. Hindi naman kasi siya ang magde-decide sa bagay na iyon. It's Aubrey's choice. Wala naman siyang ibang minahal kung hindi ang asawa at kahit maraming taon na ang nakararaan simula nang umalis ito ay wala na siyang ginustong makasamang babae.

The emcee announced Desiry's grand entrance bago sila tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng function hall. Inalalayan niya ang anak nang maglakad na ito sa red carpet. His eyes automatically searched the function hall.

He blinked when his eyes finally settled on her. His heart started beating fast like it did almost 22 years ago on his first day in high school.

He took a deep breath.

She changed a lot. That's for sure. Kung hindi lang sa pamilyar na tibok ng puso niya iisipan niyang estranghero ang babaeng nakatayo sa harap.

Aubrey's wearing a red gown that hugs her sexy body. Her cleavage is exposed. Gumanda ang pangangatawan at nag-mature na ang itsura nito magmula nang huli niya itong makita sampung taon na ang nakararaan. Pero hindi maikakailang gumanda ito ng todo.

"Mommy!"

He stared at her as she hugs their daughter. Binitawan niya ang anak para mayakap ito ng tuluyan.

"Happy birthday, anak." Nakita niya ang bahagyang pangingilid ng luha nito. He feels like hugging her. Parang noon lang sa tuwing umiiyak ito dahil sa sitwasyon nila. Pero dahil sa pride niya, nilalayasan lang niya ito noon. He can't accept the fact that he can't stomach to see her crying because of him.

"Happy birthday, ate." Sumunod naman si Ayder na bumati at nakiyakap sa dalawa. He wants to hug them, too. Pero parang naitulos siya sa kinatatayuan. He couldn't earn the courage to step a little closer.

Napatingin siya nang may tumapik sa balikat niya. It was his dad. He gave him a half-smile.

"Happy birthday, Princess Desiry," his father greeted nang kumalas ang mag-iina niya sa pagyayakapan.

"Thank you, Dee." Yumakap si Desiry sa lolo.

His children call his father "Dee" and his mother "Mee."

"Happy birthday, lady." Bati naman ng mommy niya.

"Thanks, Mee." Naiiyak na yumakap ang anak sa lola.

He is thankful with his parents. Sila ang pumuno sa lahat ng pagkukulang nila ni Aubrey sa mga bata kaya naman lumaki ang mga ito ng matino.

Lumapit rin ang ilang business partners at kakilala para bumati.

"Is she your wife? May pinagmanahan pala si Desiry." Saad ng isang kakilalang lalaki.

He smiled and looked at Aubrey na kanina pa niya pinapakiramdaman. Ni hindi ito tumitingin sa direksyon niya.

He is not sure if Aubrey's still mad at him.

Bahagya siyang nainis sa suot nitong criss-cross back. Kitang-kita kasi ang makinis nitong likod. Kung nagsasama pa sila hindi niya ito papayagang magsuot ng ganon.

"Thanks. I'm Aubrey. Vander's ex-wife." Pakilala nito sa lalaki. Sumikdo ang dibdib niya sa narinig. Yeah, he must not forget. Sampung taon na silang hiwalay ng asawa.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. It's nice to meet you anyway," apologetic namang tugon ng lalaki.

Nobody knows that they are separated except their family. Wala naman kasing nagsasabi sa kanila na hiwalay na sila ng asawa. It was something that they don't talk about in the family kaya ikinagulat siguro nito ang pahayag ni Aubrey.

Aligaga siya habang idinadaos ang party. Nakikipagbiruan na nga siya sa ilang kakilalang lumalapit pero hindi niya pa rin maiwasang mag-isip kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari ngayong nagbalik na si Aubrey.

"Aub," he finally earned the courage to approach her nang sila-sila na lang ang natira sa party.

"Vander," Aubrey uttered and stared at him for a moment. He was taken aback. She used to call him "Vand". It was her pet name for him.

"May sasabihin ka?" tanong nito nang hindi siya nagsalita agad.

He inhaled deeply.

"Ahm, there is a reserve suite for you and the kids." He uttered quite nervous. May inilaan kasi siyang suite sa hotel na puwedeng tuluyan ng mag-iina niya habang nasa Pilipinas ang ito.

"Yes, I know." She said cutting him right away.

Their kids must have told her. Napatango na lang siya. He didn't know how to create further conversation. He lost for words.

"Sige, I'll go ahead." Saad na lang niya bago tumalikod.

"Vander wait."

He looked back when she spoke. She smiled at him. Sumikdo ang puso niya. Ngayon na lang siya ulit nito nginitian. Their last conversation ten years ago was full of heated argument and painful stares.

"Can we meet at lunch tomorrow?" She asked. Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya.

"Sure! Saan?" excited niyang tugon rito. Sasagot na sana ito nang unahan niya itong magsalita.

"I know a place. I'll fetch you here tomorrow at 11AM. Is that fine?" tanong niya sa asawa.

"Okay," napapatango naman nitong tugon. He smiled. She is a lot tamer now than the last time.

"Isasama ba natin ang mga bata?" tanong niya ulit rito para humaba ang usapan.

"Nope, tayo lang dalawa."

He smiled. They have a lot of catching up to do. He missed her so much. Maybe it is about time that they reconcile things. Siguro naman sa tagal ng panahon mapapatawad na siya nito sa mga nangyari noon at mabubuo na ang pamilya nila.

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*Kaya ba talagang hilumin ng panahon ang lahat ng sakit?*