I'm Yours to Keep

Chapter 24

I was busy proofreading an article when someone knocked on my office's door. Niluwa nito si Miguel na nakasuot ng isang gray suit.

"Sa'n ka galing?" I asked. Ibinalik ko agad ang tingin ko sa laptop ko para magpatuloy sa pagbabasa. He sat on the chair just in front of my desk and I wasn't really paying attention pero isinara ko ang laptop ko nang tumitig lang siya sa 'kin nang seryoso at hindi nagsalita. "What is it?"

"I haven't heard anything from you since the event earlier. Did something happen?"

"We're in different companies, Miguel. How do you expect to hear everything from me?

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Maybe you got some... news?"

So tama nga ako. He knew about this, and that woman is probably the one he's talking to in the hospital's hallway. "Since when did you know about her?"

Umiwas siya ng tingin at saka tumikhim. "Nagkita na ba kayo?"

"Mukhang mas close naman kayo kaya bakit hindi mo pa alam? Now answer me. How did you know about her?"

He clicked his tongue at saka sumandal sa inuupuan niya. "I saw her waiting outside the emergency room when you were rushed in the hospital. She got there first. They have a private agent looking out for you."

Natahimik ako. That's probably the man I saw at the bar. Huminga ako nang malalim at nagkibit-balikat. "We just talked. She told me everything."

"And?"

"She had so many reasons but it's immaterial. Hindi gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Maybe I just needed to hear that and move forward. Like I always do."

Umiling siya habang nilalaro na ngayon ang ballpen sa lamesa ko. "She wasted so many years."

"Guess what? She told me I have siblings." Sumandal ako sa upuan ko habang nakalapat ang isa kong kamay sa lamesa.

"You're a freaking big sister."

Umirap ako at binuksan muli ang laptop ko. "What's her name? My mother?"

"Caroline."

Napakurap ako. "We have the same name?"

"Ang sabi niya, akala ng mga madre sa ampunan, pangalan mo ang nakaburda sa panyong nakita nila sa bag so they called you Caroline."

"So, what, her nickname's Care too?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Carol. I think you should really give her a chance, Care. I mean you don't have to force yourself but at least try. I can't do anything to bring my mother back and you're lucky that you still have one." Tumayo na siya at naglakad na.

"No, Miguel." Huminto siya sa paglalakad at lumingon sa 'kin. I smiled at him. "We shouldn't be thankful that we have a mother because that is the bare minimum. So, you're lucky that your mother didn't leave you."

He blinked and smiled too bago pinihit pabukas ang pinto. When he got out, my head started to imagine the possible scenarios once Carol introduced me to my siblings. Now I wonder what my father looks like. I just wished he was manly enough to take responsibility for bringing me into this world.

I got off early from work. Habang naglalakad ako sa lobby, natigilan ako nang matanaw si Carol. Is she this elegant at all times? Tumayo siya at lumapit so I stopped walking. "What brought you here?"

She smiled at me. "I know it's too sudden, but many years have already passed so I'm taking my chances."

Taking her chances. The last person who said that to me ended up ghosting me.