Young and Married

Chapter XLV

Chapter XLV

I was dead tired when I reached home. Naabutan ko ang kambal na nasa sala at naglalaro. Ang sabi ng aming kasambahay ay ayaw ng kambal sa playroom dahil kanina pa daw ako hinhintay ng mga ito. Lumapit ako sa kanila at hinalikan sila pareho.

For three years, I have endured raising them alone. For that long, I was hoping and waiting that one day, Zack would come home to me and to our children. All those years, I loved no one but him. I am going to fight for my children and I will do anything for them.

The next day, I talked to my lawyer about what happened and I told Zack's family about what happened. They're furious and they will do anything to bring back Zack to us. My family is a bit reluctant. They are not happy about the fact that Emmy is pregnant. But what can we do? It's already there. Walang kasalanan ang bata.

My heart ached upon thinking Zack's adventures with Emmy. Thinking about what they did together is making me crazy. Thinking about what they had and what they shared with each is getting into my nerves. That thought that Emmy is pregnant right is making me very angry. The thought that they made love is making me puke.

"Momma, why is Dada not living with us?" tanong ni Joseph isang hapon habang nasa park kami. Kasama namin si Antony ngunit sa playground ito kasama si Benj na gusto nitong maglaro sa seesaw.

"Joseph, you Dada is not your... father." I said as my heart broke. Ang kanyang mabibilog na mata ay bahagyang nangislap at mababakas mo dito ang pagtataka dahil hindi nito gaanong nakuha ang aking sabi.

"Why? He is Dada, right?" tanong pa nito.

"Yes, he is Dada. But Dada is not Daddy." I tried hard not to cry while explaining it to my son.

"I don't understand. It should be Momma and Dada!" he said, a bit grumpy.

I sighed and put him in my lap. I played with my son's hair and looked at his brother who's playing happily.

"Someday, you will understand. Your Daddy will come because I'm sure he misses you and Benj. He will not hesitate to go home when he have the chance."

"Daddy? I've been waiting for so long, Momma." malungkot nitong sabi na nakapagpaluha sa akin.

"Me too, Joseph. I have been waiting for so but I know that he will come home." I whispered to him and kissed his cheeks.

Gabi na nang makauwi kami. Sa sobrang pagod ng kambal ay nakatulog na sila sa byahe. Buhat ni Antony is Joseph samantalang buhat ko naman si Benj na himbing na himbing sa kanyang pagtulog sa aking balikat. Inihiga namin sila ni Antony sa kanilang silid.

"I heard that Zack is back." ani Antony habang nagkakape sa aming sala.

"He is, but he doesn't remember." sumandal ako sa sofa dahil sa pagod.

"Something must've happened." anito na tahimik kong sinang-ayunan. Nanatili kaming tahimik. Nakatingin sa akin si Antony. Nagtiim ang bagang nito habang pinagmamasdan ako.

"I also know that the woman is pregnant. Are you still going to accept him?" tanong pa nito.

"Antony, I'm doing this for the twins. Zack is innocent, I can't blame him. Emmy fed him lies. If he wants to come back in our life, I'll let him." sagot ko.

"What if he wants to enter your life again, Paige?" tanong nito.

"What do you mean?" ang aking pagod na mata ay dumapo sa kanya dahil sa kanyang nakakabagabag na tanong.

"You know what I mean, Paige. I get that he is the father of your children. I know that he have legal rights over his sons. But what about you? You're not even certain if he's going to choose you or that woman. We still don't know. Kahit pa bumalik ang alaala ni Zack, madami nang nagbago." sagot nito na nakapagpatahimik sa akin ng ilang sandali.

Tama siya. Kung babalik ang alaala ni Zack ay hindi pa din ako sigurado kung talagang iiwanan niya ang babaeng iyon at hindi ko din alam kung uuwi ba siya dito. Maaring sa loob ng tatlong taon ay natutunan niya nang mahalin si Emmy lalo na at siya ang kasama nito sa loob ng mahabang panahon. Ilang buwan ko nga bang nakasama si Zack? Halos siyam na buwan lang. Ni hindi maikukumpara ang siyam sa buwan sa tatlong taon. Hindi ko nga alam kung minahal niya na ba ako.

"I love you, Paige. You know that. I perfectly understand your situation and you know that I fully love your children as well. I respect you, your decisions, your stand in life and your principle. And you know that I am willing to wait. But your situation right now is unacceptable." he said sincerely.

I rejected him so many times before but never he never give up. Aside from that we're very good friends. He is always there for me and my twins. He always help up and he was there for the past three years to support us. And I am thankful for that. But I know who I love.

"I will wait for him memories to come back and I will wait for him to decide." I firmly said.

Ilang saglit na tumitig sa akin si Antony bago tumango na tila naintindihan na ang aking ibig sabihin. Tumayo siya hudyat na paalis na siya. Inihatid ko siya sa labas ng aming gate.

"Thank you for today, Antony. You made my children very happy by spending time with them." sabi ko.

"I'm happy whenever they're happy." ngumiti ito sa akin. Ganoon din ako sa kanya. Hinintay kong mawala sa aking paningin ang kanyang sasakyan bago pumasok ng bahay.

Bahagyang napawi ang ngiti ko nang maalala kung kanino ko 'yon ginagawa dati. Tuwing umaaga ay aayusin ko ang kanyang kurbata dahil hindi siya marunong mag-ayos pagkatapos ay hahalikan niya ako sa noo bago umalis. Tapos hihintayin kong mawala sa aking paningin ang kanyang sasakyan bago pumasok ng loob ng bahay. Marahan kong isinara ang gate habang inaalala ang panahong iyon.

I was about to lock the gate when I saw someone standing from afar, watching me with those familiar eyes.

"Zack." I whispered.