Learn to Love Again

Let the One You Hold be the One You Need

Sarah went out of the room and out of the house looking for Cassie but was surprised to see the back of a man, who was with her daughter. Her heart dropped. Even if she hasn't seen the face of the man, her eyes and heart know very well that it was him. Her lips automatically formed to a smile.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Cassie called out.

Gerald slowly turned around and saw her wearing a very radiant smile. His heart melted thinking that this beautiful smile can never be his forever. He gave her a hesitant smile.

She ran to him and immediately swung her arms around his neck for an embrace. He, though still hesitant, hugged her back.

"Kailan ka dumating Da?" she excitedly asked.

"Kanina lang."

"Siguro pagod ka pa sa byahe. I'd invite you inside pero we're actually on our wait out na rin."

Before he could even react, they heard the voice of Mark calling out to her. "Sarah! Sarah!"

Sarah let go of him and faced Mark. "Tama na Mark. Please," she said.

Gerald looked at Sarah and got somewhat confused with her facial expression. He didn't see a person who is happy and in love with someone else. He saw a person who wanted to get away. The protective side of him suddenly got switched on. He immediately went in front of Sarah as if using his own body to shield her from him. He then felt Sarah hold his hand and squeeze it tight.

"Gerald? When did you get in?" the very surprised Mark asked.

"What's the problem Mark?"

"Pare, please stay out of this. This is between me and her."

"If it concerns her then it concerns me. I'm her fiancé and whatever it is that you need to tell her, you can say in front of me."

Mark was taken aback. Seeing how Gerald protected Sarah from him made him realize that he has, indeed, been replaced in Sarah's life. "Ah, let's just go inside the house. Let's not make a scene here. Nakakahiya sa mga kapitbahay," Mark calmly said.

"Okay Da. Let's just go inside," Sarah said to Gerald. "Cassie, come here baby. We need to go inside now."

"Okay Mom," the little girl said.

When they got inside the house, all four them settled at the living room. Sarah and Gerald were seated in front of each other, Cassie sat on Gerald's lap while Mark took the seat right across them.

"Mark, I suggest that you finish now whatever it is that you wanna talk to Sarah about because I'm not leaving your house without them. They are going home with me." 

"Totoo Daddy Ge, we're going home with you? Yeeeey! Namiss na kita eh," Cassie cheerfully said.

"Namiss din kita Princess," he sweetly replied.

"Ah Cassie, is it okay if you go up to our room and start packing your stuff? Mag-uusap lang ang mga grown-ups just for a little while." Sarah told her daughter.

"Sure Mom," and off she went.

After Cassie has left, Sarah turned to Mark and said, "Mark, wala na akong ibang sasabihin sa 'yo kundi let's just be friends for the sake of Cassie."

"Look. I wanna be part of Cassie and your life. I am still her father."

"Hindi ko naman nakakalimutan 'yun eh pero hanggang dun na lang 'yun."

Gerald, at this point, could no longer comprehend the exchanges between Sarah and Mark for thoughts were running through his head. He was saying to himself, "Tama ba itong pagkaintindi ko? Was I going to make the biggest mistake of my life by walking out of their lives? Ang tanga mo Gerald. Let this be a lesson to you. Muntik ka nang maging miserable dahil sa sarili mong katangahan."