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The Blessing in Disguise

Kylie knew that she couldn't hide what was truly going on in her life from both the media and her fans. She knew that, at one point, she'd have to speak up to confirm the news that she and Aljur were no longer together, that she realized it was Ruru who she truly loved, but it was actually easier said than done.

Even before the baby shower incident, Kylie's manager had already been pestering her to release a statement, even just a short one, to address the rumors that she and Aljur have broken up, but the latter decided to keep quiet for the meantime, stating that confirming the news won't really do anything for her career.

"Kahit naman sabihin kong wala na kami, buntis pa rin ako. The mere admission that we've broken up isn't going to anything for my career." She told her manager via text message. "I'll release a statement when I'm ready. For now, I just want to focus on the baby."

As Kylie continued to lie there, gently rubbing her 8 month old baby bump, all she could think about was the kind of life she would give her son.

She was going to make sure that, every second of everyday, her son was going to feel loved and cared for. She was going to nurture him and make sure that he'd grow up into a fine, young man who radiated positivity and kindness to everyone.

"I'm going to give you the love I know you deserve, sweetheart." Kylie uttered to her baby bump. "Even if your daddy isn't around to provide for us, I'm going work hard so that I can make both ends meet." She added. "Don't worry, son, we're going to be okay."

Suddenly, Kylie heard three knocks to her hospital door. It was Ruru who had accompanied her papa, Robin, and her stepmom, Mariel.

"Papa? Tita Mariel?" The latter said. "Anung ginagawa niyo dito? You should be at home taking care of Isabella or doing some other stuff. I mean... I'm okay." She added.

Kylie wasn't shooing Robin and Mariel away. It's just that she wasn't used to this kind of attention coming from them.

"Ky, wag mo na kaming ipagtulukan palayo. We know what happened." Mariel said, as she gently placed her hand on Kylie's leg that had been tucked in safely inside the blanket.

"Anak, matagal na kitang binalaan tungkol sa lalaking 'yun, pero hindi ka nakinig eh." Robin said, trying his hardest not to scold his daughter too much, for he knew that she was under a lot of stress. "Pagkatapos ng ginawa niya sa'yo, hindi na talaga ako makakapayag na lumapit pa siya sa'yo. Subukan niya lang at baka sobra pa sa suntok ang matitikman niya mula sa 'kin."

"Pa..."

"Anak, hindi na dapat ako pumayag na magkabalikan pa kayo. Kung alam ko lang na babastusin ka niya ng ganyan, dapat hindi na ko masyadong naniwala sa second chance, second chance na 'yan." Robin said. "Hindi mo lang alam kung paano kumulo ng sobra ang dugo ko nung makadating sa akin ang balita."

"Ky, bakit di mo naman kasi sinabi sa amin ang tungkol dito? Alam mo namang, you can always run to us. We will never ever close our doors to you." Mariel said, her approach much gentler.

Kylie could only sigh in reply as she felt her eyes water.

"I just... I didn't want to be such a pain in the ass." She said, hurriedly wiping the tear that had fallen from her eyes. "Alam kong busy kayo kay Isabela and I just didn't want to bother you guys. Alam ko namang andami ninyong problema at ayoko lang talagang makadagdag."

"Um..." Robin cleared his throat. "Ruru, Mahal, maari bang iwan niyo muna kami ng anak ko?" He requested.

Both Ruru and Mariel nodded in reply, as they stepped out of the room to give the father and daughter a moment together.

"Anak, alam kong marami akong pagkukulang sa'yo." Robin started. "Dahil sa paghihiwalay namin ng mama mo, nahirapan akong makita kayo ng mga kapatid mo kahit kailan ko gusto at wala ako sa mga oras na kailangang kailangan mo ko." He added.

"Sana anak, hindi pa huli ang lahat para maging tatay ako sa'yo. Alam kong matanda ka na, alam kong kaya mo na ang sarili mo, pero alam ko na iba pa rin ang pagmamahal na maiibigay ng isang ama sa kanyang anak na babae."

"Anak, kahit nandiyan na ang Tita Mariel mo at ang kapatid mong si Isabela, wag na wag mong iisipin na wala na akong oras para sa'yo, na kung may mga problema ka, wala kang lalapitan, dahil kahit na anung mangyari, nandito lang ako lagi para sa'yo."

"Thank you, Papa." Kylie said, holding unto Robin's hand tightly. "Alam ko na maraming kang disappointments sa akin, lalong lalo na nung nabuntis ko, but I promise... I'll make you proud someday."

"Anak, proud naman talaga ako sa'yo eh. Hindi mo kailangan maging action star o manalo ng kung ano ano para ipagmalaki kita." Robin said as he embraced his daughter.

"Again... thank you, Papa." Kylie said, now feeling happy tears roll down her eyes. "At Pa, si Ruru..." She added, after they had just gently broken off the hug.

"Alam ko na, anak." Robin said. "Siya nga ang nagsabi sa amin na nasa ospital ka." He added.

"Kahit na hindi ko pa siya gaano kakilala, magaan ang loob ko sa kanya."

Kylie smiled.

"He's like you in so many ways, Papa. Believe me." She added.

"Pwes, boto na ko." Robin smiled. "Joke lang. Basta gusto ko masaya ka, anak. 'Yan lang ang tanging inaasam ko para sa'yo."

"Nakakailang-thank you na ko, but still... thank you talaga, Papa." Kylie said. "I wish the same thing for you, as well."

In that moment, Kylie realized that her separation with Aljur was indeed a blessing in disguise. She could now say that she and her father, Robin, were in a "better place", the heaviness that once filled her heart had now completely disappeared.

There was indeed a reason for everything, and the reason why she and Aljur were not meant to be together was because the pieces of their puzzle just didn't fit. There was someone else who was fated for her, and she was more than happy, that this time... her Papa seemed to be okay with him.

This meant no more lies and no more hiding, because for sure, Ruru is Robin-approved.