"Ace?" I called him. Umiiyak siya. My poor little boy was crying.
"Mommy, bakit po hindi tayo maalala ni Daddy?" Umiiyak na tanong niya. "If he can't remember us, hindi ko po siya daddy. My daddy knows me. He doesn't. Hindi ko po siya Daddy. My daddy knows me. My daddy loves me." Sabi niya as he cried on my arms.
Nakatulog na si Ace kaiiyak. Binuhat ko na siya at bumaba para pumunta sa kwarto ni Terrence. He was still awake and laughing when we got back there.
"Mommy, uuwi na po kami." Sabi ko kay Mommy Mila.
"Won't you stay?" Tanong saamin ni Terrence.
"Ha?"
"Diba kaibigan kita? Uuwi ka na ba? Won't you stay?" Tanong niya saakin.
"I want to stay. But fate won't let me." Sabi ko.
"Something's really bugging me. Can I talk to you?" Tanong niya.
"We're talking now." Sabi ko.
"Alone." Sabi niya saakin. Lumapit si Daddy Marion saakin at kinuha si Ace.
"Talk to my son first. Kami na ang bahala kay Ace." Sabi ni Daddy at lumabas na.
"Uuwi na kami, Terrence. Magpagaling ka anak, okay?" Sabi ni Mommy Talia as she kissed Terrence's forehead.
"So? What now?" I asked as Terrence's family leaves.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"Ayeza Xierra Del Va--"
"I'm not asking for your name. Who are you?" He asked with more force.
"Kaibigan mo?" Am I lying? No. I'm really his friend.
"Really? Why do I feel like there is so much more? Kaibigan?" He asked.
"Asawa. Asawa mo ako." I said.
Tumawa siya ng malakas.
"Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sayo." He said.
"Ako ba? Nakikipagbiruan?" I asked him.
"Sino ka?! Sino ka talaga?!" Sigaw niya saakin.
"I can't understand you. Nagsisinungaling ako, nagagalit ka. Nagsasabi ako ng totoo, nagagalit ka. What do you want to do?" I asked him. Frustrated.
"Answer me this question instead then. Iyang dinadala mo, is that mine?" He asked.
I didn't answer him. Should I lie? Because if I tell the truth, he won't believe me anyway.
"Answer me!" Sigaw niya.
"Wala ka sa posisyon para sigawan ako o tanungin ako. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go. My son is waiting." Sabi ko at lumabas.
"I don't want a liar around me. I hope you'll never return here again." Sabi niya. I didn't bother looking back.
Umuwi ako sa bahay mag-isa. Ace was with his grandparents. Madilim sa bahay. Bumukas ang ilaw bigla at nakita ko si Manang Milagros doon.
"Anak? Bakit ka umiiyak?" Tanong nito saakin.
Si Manang Milagros ay isa sa mga kasambahay nila Terrence na malapit din saakin. I didn't realize that tears was already flowing from my eyes.
Lumapit siya saakin at niyakap ako.
"Manang, ang sakit sakit eh. Manang bakit hindi niya ako maalala? Ganun ba ako kadaling kalimutan? Isang amnesia lang ba ang maghihiwalay saamin? Manang ang sakit." I cried as I tell her this.
