Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 26: Tears Fall

Aaron's POV

Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito sa coffee shop kung saan kami magkikita ni Trixie.

Ten ng umaga ang usapan namin na magkikita dito pero sobrang excited ako malaman ang sasabihin niya kaya napa-aga ako ng dating dito.

Two days ago, she attended a convention with her husband then yesterday, nakapunta na agad siya sa bahay nina Gwen because Tita Allyna invited her to come over and she brought her kids with her in there gaya ng sabi ni tita para daw may kalaro si Rosetta. Yes, I already knew my daughter's name. Sinabi sa akin ni Trixie kahapon lang din. I got teary eyed kahit pangalan niya palang ang nalaman ko. For me, it was a big deal. Sobrang saya ko.

I kept looking at my watch. Ang tagal mag ten. Ilang beses na akong napainom sa kape ko. It was getting cooler pero wala parin siya. Naiinip na ako but it was not her fault. Sadyang maaga lang kasi talaga ako.

"Finally," I uttered once I saw Trixie entered the coffee shop.

Tinaas ko ang kamay ko to wave at her to get her attention. Nakita naman niya agad ako kaya dumiretso na siya sa pwesto ko.

"Ang aga mo ata," natatawang sabi niya.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Akala ko kasama mo ang baby mo?"

Sinabi niya kasi na may lakad sila ngayon ng mga anak niya. Siningit niya lang ako sa schedule niya dahil may ipapakita daw siya sa akin. Gusto niya na sa personal mismo ipakita sakin ito para daw makita niya ang reaction ko.

"Nasa kotse sila kasama ang yaya. Hindi naman ako magtatagal dito kaya pinaiwan ko nalang sila sa kotse."

Napaayos ako ng upo and leaned forward to the table. Inaabangan ko ang ipapakita niya. She got her phone out and said, "Here."

She faced her phone towards me and there, I saw a beautiful girl smiling. Her long wavy hair suited her white fair skin. Her smile was the best smile I saw in the world. Her cheeks were pinkish. She was holding a doll while talking to another little girl which I thought was Trixie's daughter.

Tears flowed down from my eyes as I looked at her picture. She looked so pretty and adorable. I looked at every single part of her face like I was trying to memorize her features. My heart was so captivated by her.

Finally, I knew what she looked like. Hindi ko na kailangang mag-imagine pa.

"She looks like you."

I diverted my face from the phone to her. She was smiling at me.

"Ayaw man aminin ni Tito Garret, but her face was a Loyzaga. She got her eyes and nose from you especially her pinkish and fair skin." My tears continued to flow down as she spoke. "You know what, she's very smart too. Namana niya sayo at kay Gwen. Napakagalang din na bata."

I smiled proudly. "Wow, she is really my daughter. My very own daughter."

Trixie showed me more pictures of Rosetta. I asked her if she could send me those pictures, so I could have them printed out and have it displayed in the house especially in the living room, my bed side table and even in my soon to be office. I wanted to see her picture everyday and I would like people to know that she was my daughter.

"Do you think it's possible for me to see her?"

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Trixie. "Mukhang diyan tayo mahihirapan. Sabi ng yaya niya, hindi daw pinapalabas ng bahay ang bata pag hindi si Gwen ang kasama o kaya si tito o tita."

I felt disappointed. I was happy to finally see her face through pictures, but I could be happier if I saw her in person. It would be nice if I could also hug and kiss her.