Stranger's Bed

Chapter 22

Nang mag weekend ay napagdesisyunan namin ni Kie na dalhin si Theon sa beach. We opted for something nearer instead, we took a flight to Ko Samui. It's still in Thailand but the beach is really beautiful, it can be compared to what we have in the Philippines.

Kasama din namin si Mommy na siyang nagprepare ng lahat. Nag-leave na din kami ni Kie para 4 days ang bakasyon namin.

Pagkadating namin sa hotel ay agad ipinasyal ni Kieron si They habang kami naman ni Mommy ay nag-aayos ng gamit.

"Hindi pa ba kayo magpapakasal niyang si Kieron? You've been together for almost 3 years."

Nginitian ko si Mommy habang ihinahang ang mga damit namin. "He asks me about it, Ma. But I feel like I'm not ready yet..."

"Dahil pa din ba 'to sa mga Del Mundo?"

Their betrayal was far off. I didn't think that they.... especially Arvin, would do that.

In those times, I have trusted actions, not just empty words... but it still led me into another trap.

"Kaya naman sinabi ko sayo na umuwi na tayo ng Pilipinas. So we could settle with things in our past. So we could move on and be fully happy with what we have right now."

"Well Kie and I have been talking, Mom. Theon would like to know more about the Philippines and I think it's only fair that he gets to meet the rest of our family. But maybe we'll wait until our anniversary to go back there. We still have work to finish."

"That's good hija. I will support you in whatever you would want to, as long as it makes you and my apo happy. By the way, wala ka na bang balita sa mga kaibigan mo? Ang sabi sa akin ni Ivy at Josh noong huling umuwi ako ay hindi mo daw sila kinontak. And Daddy mo naman...."

Lumapit ako sa balkon para tanawin ang mag-ama na naglalaro sa garden ng hotel. I sighed heavily as Mommy stood next to me. "I still feel betrayed, Mom. I know it's not Daddy's fault entirely but then all of these mess wouldn't have happened. We'll be a normal family like everybody else. You wouldn't have gotten into that accident. Arvin and I wouldn't meet and my life will be as peaceful as it was before. Even with Jared.. kahit na nagpapakatanga ako noon."

Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit habang nakatanaw kami sa ibaba. "And you wouldn't have met Kieron. And Theon won't be here with us. Our life would have been so boring without these mess, anak. Let's be thankful that there are still beautiful things that came out of your Dad's mistake."

Gabi na nang magising ako sa isang halik sa aking pisngi. "Mommy!"

Ngumiti ako nang marinig ko ang matinis na boses ni Theon. "Hmm?"

"Daddy said you should wear this dress and this shoes and this necklace...." sabi niya habang niyuyugyog ako para gumising.

Tumayo ako para makita ang sinasabi ni Theon. Ano na naman kayang plano nitong ni Kie? Pati ang bata kinontsaba pa. Pinanliitan ko ng mata si They matapos niyang sabihin lahat ng bilin ng Kie sa kanya. "How much did your Daddy bribe you? What's he up to?"

Umiling siya at tumawa siya bago nahiga sa kama. Kiniliti ko siya sa baywang para mapa-amin. "Alright, Mommy! He didn't bribe me any money, but he said that I'll have a baby brother and sister soon if I do this..."

Kieron talaga! Pati sa bata kung ano-anong tinuturo!

Isinuot ko ang mga binigay ni Theon bago bumaba sa hotel. Isang off shoulder long dress iyon na may lace sa dulo. Kasama niyon ay ang isang white sandals at ang kwintas na may krus na ibinigay niya saakin noong 1st anniversary namin. Sa pagdampi ng hangin sa aking balat ng makalabas ako sa hotel ay kinilabutan ako. The wind... the beach. The sand... The long dress... it all feels so familiar. I still remember that day when Arvin asked me for dinner. I was never this happy. I wasn't feeling the same excitement that I feel right now.