Our Promised Land (The Valdirrama's Series #1)

Chapter 21.

Little version

For years, I've learned to forgive, to forget and let go. Ang kumapit sa mga bagay na hindi sigurado ay delikado. Sometimes, you have to make new memories instead of holding on to your past. I swear, it's the best way to forget.

Sa mga taong lumipas, natuto akong makuntento at maging masaya ulit. Second chances are always worth it if you live your life to the fullest. Marami mang nawala, marami rin namang dumating.

"Your son is waiting downstairs." si Daun na nakahilig sa hamba ng pintuan ng aking kwarto.

He's looking at me as if I was the most beautiful woman in this world. Ang bagay na lagi niyang pinaparamdam sa akin.

"Okay. I'm almost done." then I smiled at him.

Nang matapos ako sa pagaayos ay agad akong bumama kung nasaan ang aking anak na naghihintay. I saw him sitting on our large couch, patiently waiting for me.
Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasadan siya.

Noong una ko siyang makita matapos ko siyang ilabas sa aking sinapupunan, sobra ang saya na naidulot niya. I cried because of too much happiness. Though, wala siyang nakuha sa akin. His features are most likely to his father, from his black messy hair, his thick eyebrows and pointed nose. He's a little version of his father. Hindi yun maipagkakaila. May mga pagkakataon na naaalala ko siya dahil sa anak ko, pero iniisip ko na lang na baka masaya na siya ngayon. Siguradong kasal na sila ngayon ng pinsan ko. Probably, happily living with his family.

"Mom, what took you so long? We're running late." he drawled lazily.

Napangiti ako sa kaniya. He's the sweetest son, but he has a cold expression everytime, just like his father.

"Is that how you greet your mommy early in the morning, Clor." I said and raised my eyebrow.

Agad naman siyang tumayo at tsaka lumapit sa akin upang humalik sa aking pisngi. After he kissed my cheek, I hugged him tight. Parang kailan lang, ang liit liit pa niya. Ngayon, ang laki laki niya na. He's just eight, pero pakiramdam ko, ang layo layo niya na sa akin. He can stand on his own. He's matured enough to understand every single thing in this world.

"Im sorry, mom. I just can't wait to go. You know how much I wanted to see Philippines, right? Noon pa man, iyon na ang hiling ko sa inyo ni papa." bulong niya sa gilid ng aking tenga.

I brushed my right hand on his back, smoothly and gently.

Pinalaki ko ang aking anak sa katotohanan. I don't want him to live from lies. Palagi siyang nagtatanong noon kung sino ang kaniyang papa, and i've told him everything. I told him that his father has a new family, that he can't live with us. I even told him how much his father loves him, na kahit hindi kami buo, mahal siya ng papa niya. Lumaki siyang si Daun ang itinuring nang papa. I don't know if he's mad or he just accepted the fact that his father can't be with us, pero, simula nang malaman niya ang lahat, hindi na siya kailanman nagtanong tungkol sa totoo niyang papa. Clor is a smart kid, I know that he understands every single thing, kaya siguro mas pinili niyang makuntento at maging masaya na lamang sa kung anong mayroon siya.

"I love you, baby. At lahat ay ibibigay ko para sayo. Remember that, okay? Mommy will give you everything." I assured him.

Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap at agad pinalis ang kaunting patak ng luha mula sa aking mga mata.

"You don't have to, mom. You're the best mom ever, maibigay mo man o hindi lahat ng gusto ko. Besides, sapat na sakin lahat sakripisyo at pagmamahal nyo." he cupped my face, his lips curved into his sweetest smile.

"You really know how to make me smile, huh." I chuckled.

He cross his arms and grinned.

"I love you, mom. I promise, I will behave when we got in the Philippines." I patted his head.