The One That Got Away

SIXTH

REIN'S POV

3 months later

Mabilis lumipas ang mga araw na nagtatarabaho ako sa kumpanya ni Jace. Sinisikap kong maging mailap sa kaniya para makaiwas ako sa mga possible tanong at kung anu-ano pang bagay.

The twins are doing well, my parents got them enrolled to a kindergarten school. Kaya lang, sa tatlong buwan ko sa kumpanya, I was never able to see my daughter Royiene. Maybe hindi ko na siya makikita pa.

It's already getting late kaya nag decide ako na umuwi na, besides the twins are waiting at the condo. When I was about to press the elevator door a familiar voice called. "Ate Rein?" Nilingon ko ang tumawag to my surprise it was Jannica, Jace's younger sister. "Oh my gosh! Ate! It's you!' patakbo siyang lumapit sa akin and aaminin ko, it's quite awkward.

"Hi Nicca, long time no see." Bati ko sa kaniya. Nicca, is her nickname mataas raw masyado ang Jannica. She gave me a hug. Mukhang matatagalan ako neto. "Ate, how are you? I missed you a lot!" We sat down sa sofa sa may visitor's lounge ng opisina. We talked for an hour when I heard Jace's door opened and resonating giggles from a girl's voice. I became stiff when I saw who it was. "Oooops ate, nakalimutan kong sabihin na hinatid ko kania si Lejan kay kuya." Lejan is my eldest's nickname. According to many, mas madili daw ito itawag sa bata kaysa sa totong pangalan nito.

"Daddy, why is that lady here?" Tanong niya kay Jace. I can sense something unfamiliar to her voice, it's irritation I guess. "Anak, she's your mother." sagot ni Jannica sa kaniya. "No! A mother wouldn't leave her child sabi ni teacher kaya hindi siya ang mommy ko." With those words she ran back inside Jace's office, sinundan naman siya kaagad ni Jannica. I was left there standing and crying with what I heard from my 7 year old child.

"That's what you did to her Rein, you made her act like that, that was the effect of your selfish actions." Mas napahagulgol ako ng iyak sa mga sinabi niya. I never wanted my child to hate me. Kung sana isinama ko siya sa pag-alis ko, edi sana di kami magkakaganito. Pero paano naman si Jace? Nawala na nga ako mawawala pa ang anak niya. Mas mabuting ako ang mawalan wag lang siya.

Umuwi ako sa condo na malungkot, the twins even bothered me why I am looking sad and frustrated. I had to fake a smile and an answer. It satisfied them I guess kaya di na nila ako kinulit. I tucked them to sleep before getting inside the shower. And as the water flow, my tears fell with them.

JACE's POV

I was stunned when my daughter said those words. Hindi ko alam na may kinikimkim palang ganoon ang anak ko. When I heard those from Royiene, pain was visible to Rein's eyes. Umiiyak siya, gusto ko siyang daluhan at aluin pero hindi ko magawa. I can't let my guard down. Ayoko nang masaktan pa, it may sound rude pero ayaw ko na.

After Rein left I entered my office and there I saw my child my sister crying and hugging each other.

"Lejan, can we talk?" I asked in a serious tone. Kahit pa malaki ang kasalanan ng kaniyang ina I should not tolerate that kind of attitude.

Lumapit siya sa akin at kinandong ko siya. "What was that?" Yumuko siyang bigla at humagulol. I can't do anything kaya naman yinakap ko siya. "Daddy, why did she comeback?" She asked habang pumipiyok.

"Anak, your mom came home already. You should be glad." Sagot ko kay Royiene. She may be young but she understands what's happening. She's a smart girl. "I still hate her daddy."

"You shouldn't be, she loves you so much. You made her cry kanina nga eh." Di siya sumagot but instead she yawned.

We went home after that. Royiene was sound asleep.

"Kuya, can I have a talk with you?" biglang sulpot ni Jannica. I nodded and made my way to my study room. "Kuya, ate Rein is hurting so much." panimula niya sa akin. Sa tinging niya ako hindi? "So, what about it?" Ayaw ko mang aminin pero kitang-kita kita ko ang sakit sa damdamin niya. It kinda hurts my heart too. "Well kuya, I'm thinking of inviting ate sa upcoming birthday ni Lejan and whetehr you like it or not it will be held sa resort mo sa Davao." Jannica has always planned for my daughter's party. Medyo nakakalimutan ko na rin kasi eh. Isa pa that should be a mother's job, kundi lang sanan kami iniwan ng magaling na ina ng anak ko, edi sana masaya kami ngayon at siya ang umaasikaso ng birthday ng bata. "Do what you want, besisdes the architect has to see the site and the on going construction for her further calculations and adjustments."

Aaminin ko, when she said she's inviting her I suddenly felt happiness but sadly, I can't let her see it. Kahit kapatid ko pa siya.

I marched my way to my room and that gave her the cue to leave. Minsan dito sa bahay ko natutulog ang babaeng iyon. Pero madalas sa condo niya.

In two weeks time mabubuo kaming pamilya kahit ilang araw lang. Pero mukhang kailangan ko paring iitago ang totoo kong damdamin.

Pero kahit pa man ganoon. I wish things would return to its proper places, just like the good old days.