Be With You

Chapter 21

Lumipas ang mga araw life has drastically changed for Andrew and Faye. Pasamantalang lumisan muna si Faye at Cobbie sa kanilang bahay at lumipat sa bahay na inupahan ni Andrew para sa kanila. The house was right besides Andrew parent's house.

Galit ang parents ni Andrew kay Andrea kaya it was purely instinct that Andrew followed what his dad said, 'rent the house besides their ancestral home and let Faye and her son live there para hindi makalapit si Andrea sa kanila' were the exact words of his dad.

His parents supported him in his decision, alam na nila lahat, him being the father of the baby, Faye was carrying and he, manning up for Faye and her sick child. His parents was a great help, they are looking out for Faye and Cobbie when his not arround as for Ashley she insisted to live with her grandparents para malapit sa Tita mommy niya and kay Cobbie. Andrew had no choice but be with his daughter and live with his oldies, again.

As for Faye, medyo nahirapan pa siya kumbinsihin eto to move at the house he rented but when Andrea started to pressure Andrew for Ashley's custody pumayag na eto para hindi magulo ni Andrea ang batang isipan ng anak.

"If Ashley will be safe at your parents' house then, sige kung saan ka doon kami,"

Yun ang sabi ni Faye sa kanya when she agreed to live right beside him and Ashley.

Kahit he is undergoing a tough custody battle and annulment Faye was with him, silently being his rock. With over three months of being together para na silang magasawa na may buong pamilya and kahit sobrang hirap ng sitwasyon they remained strong for each other.

Cobbie was slowly recovering after his second chemotherapy, Andrew was so proud of his little boy, the small man was a fighter.

Minsan hindi niya maiwasan manghina na rin dahil pag nakikita niya si Faye na umiiyak sa gabi dahil sa awa at takot para kay Cobbie, hindi niya maiwasan masaktan para sa mahal but as he said he needs to be a man for them.

Isang araw, after Cobbie's chemo nahuli ng batang lalaki ang mommy niya na umiiyak kaya that night pagsilip ni Andrew sa kanyang stepson nagulat siya when the little boy suddenly held his hand,

"Tito Daddy, please tell my mommy not to cry anymore. Promise I'll get strong faster para di na siya iyak."

His little boy told him, his eyes teary and weak.

Andrew made  promise to his stepson that night. It was a promise he will make sure to fulfill for his entire lifetime.

"Don't worry anak, I"ll make sure your mommy will smile forever, kaya always be strong ha and recover faster para makita mo ang smile ni mommy."

His stepson gave him a contented smile and his words melted Andrew's heart to forever.

"I love you Dad, I thank papa God for giving you to me and mommy."

Natigil ang mga pagmuni muni niya ng biglang nag honk ang kotse ni Faye.

Simula ng mga kaguluhan with Andrea and Cobbie's chemo sessions Andrew worked at home at pinamahala ang kanyang chains of restaurants and bars kay Anastasia while Faye occassionally visits her shop kung kailangan.

And this is one of the days na nasa bahay siya and Faye needed to be in Cielo. Andrew hurriedly opened the front door and welcomed his love.

Tumayo si Andrew sa harap ng pinto at inintay makababa si Faye ng kotse. The body guard/driver he hired for Faye hurriedly opened the car door for her.

"How was work,mahal?" Malambing na tanong niya kay Faye  ng makalapit eto sa kanya.

Faye looked at him, gave him a weary smile and just kissed his cheek without a word.

Instantly, Andrew knew that Faye was not alright kaya dali dali niya etong inilalayan sa loob.

"Hows, Cobbie?" Bulong sa kanya ni Faye habang pinaupo niya eto sa sofa.

Adrew decided not to let Faye know na nahalata niya ang mood neto kaya he answered her with a cheery voice.

"Kaka merienda lang pinanap na siya ni Helen," he said. Faye nodded her head and held on to her 7 months bump habang unti unti niya etong hinihimas.

"Si Ash, nakatapos na sa homework niya?" Tanong ni Faye ulit sa kanya.

Andrew sighed hindi niya na matiis ang malungkot na boses ng mahal kaya lumuhod siya sa tapat neto at tinaas niya ang ulo neto gamit ang kanyang kamay as he made her face him. Tinignan ni Andrew maige ang mga mata ni Faye and touched both of her arms.

He caressed her arms gently, and inhaled deeply before opening his mouth,

"May problema ba, mahal? Masama ba pakiramdam mo? Okay ba kayo ni baby?"

Sunod na sunod na tanong niya sa boses na nagaalala.

Tumingin sa kanya si Faye at hindi na neto na pigilan ang mga luha.

"Andrea bought Julian's share sa shop ko. Nagmamando siya nayon doon sa shop." Faye told him sa boses na malungkot at nagmamaktol.

"Pinaghirapan ko yung shop na yun eh tapos dahil minahal kita mawawala na sa akin," dagdag na sabi ni Faye habang patuloy ang agos ng luha mula sa mga mata neto.

Andrew let out a deep breath and controlled himself not to cuss.

Niyapos niya ng mahigpit si Faye habang hinahaplos ang ulo neto.

"Shh we will do something about it. Don't worry!" Pagalo niya sa babaeng mahal.

****

-TBC-