Wasted (A BCWMH Fanfic)

Wasted - Part 7

Luke could only watch the gates of their home close as his father sped away. His forehead furrowed in confusion. Looking back, it was no wonder he felt that something was amiss with Anton.

He had been curiously looking at Anton for the past mealtimes, trying to find traces of Maya on the child’s face and expressions. He doubted whether James Ventura was the father of the child. True, he was very curious about the paternity of Anton but he would rather wait for Maya to volunteer the information. There had been something familiar about the child. Something about him was niggled in his mind, like a forgotten memory but not quite. While Tito James’ expressions were wide and loud, Anton’s were on the close and refined. Luke had wondered until he came across Nikki’s childhood photo in Abby’s photoessay.

He constantly teased Nikki that she looked like a boy when she was younger but he did not realize how much until he saw Anton’s and Nikki’s pictures juxtaposed in Abby’s project.

“Dad? Dad and Maya…? That could explain a lot.” Luke’s jumbled thoughts came to a halt as he slowly grasped the reality.

“Luke, I’m so sorry. Hindi ko ginustong guluhin kayong mag-anak,” Maya walked to Luke’s side, wiping away her tears, hiccupping once in a while. What she was saying was cut off by Luke enveloping her in a hug.

“Tita, it’s ok, ano ba.” Luke murmured. “You’re practically family to us. And, talagang magkapamilya na tayo,” He pulled away to smile at Maya. “May baby brother na ako!”

Maya gave a watery laugh. “Paano mo nalaman?”

“Kahawig pala ni Anton si Niks nung bata pa siya.” Luke handed her the photoessay. “Sabi ko na nga ba, mukhang lalaki yung si Niks eh. Kaya bumabawi sa ka-artehan ngayong dalaga na siya.” He teased, wanting to make Maya feel at ease.

“Maya, si Ricardo ba ‘yun?” Manang Fe focused her attention at the window as she went down the stairs, judging correctly that Maya had told him the truth about Anton.

“I’m sorry Manang Fe.” Maya returned the poster to Luke and accepted Manang Fe’s hug.

“Saan kaya si Dad pupunta?” Luke wondered as the gates finally shut. “Bumabagyo ngayon, Tita.”

“Nag-aalala rin ako sa batang ‘yan.” Manang Fe remarked, shaking her head. “Padalos-dalos kapag nakakaramdam ng bugso ng damdamin.”

“Hindi pwede sa opisina kasi pinasara niya yun kaninang umaga; lalo namang hindi pwede sa site.” Maya speculated. “Hindi rin sa mommy niyo dahil baha na yung mga kalsada papunta doon…” Turning to Luke, she asked. “May mga kaibigan ba daddy niyo na pwede niyang puntahan?”

After a few moments, Luke pointed his index finger up in conclusion. “May naisip ako!” He got out his phone and scrolled to dial one of his contacts. “Hello, Tito Ryan?”

–

Richard drove on aimlessly.

He had never been this rattled in his entire life. When Alex died, he retreated into his shell, focused on disciplining his children and surrendered to his work. But now, with his work being under control and his children safe at home, he did not know what to do.

“Hindi rin ako humanap ng iba.”

“Three years old.”

Maya’s words kept on echoing in his already confused mind. It seemed like he was robbed of everything that was precious to him. How could Maya do this to him?

Years ago, Richard had hoped to officially include Maya in their family. He even went further as to wish to grow the family bigger with Maya at his side. He had thought that this dream was finally within his reach, only to be cruelly grabbed away. Little did he know that during the years in which he suffered in silence, part of this dream had already come into fruition.