LIKE I NEVER LEFT °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

9. Back

Amara

Ethan is still not talking to me and I guess he just needs time. He will soon talk to me. I don't have to force him. It's Friday today. My parents will be back from their anniversary vacation. Hindi pa ako handang malaman nila ang nangyari. Kahit ang pagbabalik ni Four, malaking issue 'yon para sa kanila ni mama at papa. Alam ko namang hanggang ngayon, nasasaktan si mama na kailangan niyang putulin ang ugnayan nila ni tita Demi. They were bestfriends since their high school years. At dahil lang sa gago na anak ni tita Demi, kinailangan ni mamang dumistansiya. Okay lang naman sa'kin. I don't think it's necessary. Pero naiintindihan ko rin naman ang mga magulang ko, kung may mas nasaktan sa nangyari noong araw na 'yon, sila ni mama at papa 'yon. Now that I am a mother, I can tell how much it hurts to see your child in pain. The pain becomes more painful triple times or even more especially if there's nothing you can do to take that pain away.

Morning session lang ang dance class ni Darryl kaya sinusundo namin siya ni Ethan during our lunchbreaks. We're supposed to be heading to the school now if only Ethan's here. Hindi ko naman masisisi 'yong tao.

"Amara."

"Ethan?" My heart jumps in joy upon seeing him standing at the parking. 

"Let's go and get Darryl?"

Napasimangot ako't agad na tumakbo para yumakap sa kanya. Naiiyak ako. Halos dalawang araw na hindi ko siya nakausap, na-miss ko siya. Masyado yata akong nasanay na lagi lang siyang nandiyan.

"Hindi ka na galit sa'kin?" I mumble, still hugging him.

Someone clears his throat before Ethan can answer. And I don't need to look to see who the jerk is. Of course, it's Four Palmer. I pull away to face him. Ethan, standing calm, holds my hand.

"Why are you here?" He confronts Four who's looking at me with angry eyes.

"Surely not for you." Four answers, not looking at him. Tinititigan niya lang ako. I can feel the tension between them. Ethan's grip of my hand becomes tighter, signifying he's annoyed at the jerk as much as I do.

"Don't mind him. Let's go, Ethan." But Ethan doesn't move as I say. "Ethan."

"Darryl asked me to drive her home." Four tells me.

"Sorry Four pero kami ni Ethan ang susundo sa anak ko."

"Anak natin." He emphasizes and Ethan again clenches his hand  that holds mine. "So it's either you go with me or I'll drive her home myself."

"Ethan. Sandali lang. Mag-uusap lang kami."

"Amara—"

"Please. Mauna ka na sa kotse. Susunod ako." Sagot kong nagpausok ng ilong niya ngunit sumunod parin siya sa hinihiling ko.

"Four ha, umayos ka! Kung ayaw mong ilayo ko ng tuluyan sa'yo ang anak ko, 'wag kang aasta ulit ng ganito." Sita ko sa kanya nang makapasok na ng kotse si Ethan. He looks very angry. 

Jealous, you mean Amara?

"Ayokong alisan ka ng karapatan sa anak ko. But if you still want to be part of my daughter's life, then you have to agree on my terms, Four. You left. You left us and you just can't return like nothing happened." 

"Mara." He tries to reach for my cheek, making me realize that I am already crying.

"Iniwan mo 'ko, Four. Iniwan mo kami. Kaya pwede ba intindihin mo na muna ako? Hindi na ako sanay na nandiyan ka. Soon, you'll see my daughter and spend time with her. Pero hindi ngayon."

"Amara. Alam ko namang kasalanan ko. Kaya nga ako nandito e. Gusto kong bumawi. Gusto kong masanay ka ulit na nandito ako—"

"Ayoko. Ayoko nga. Naiintindihan mo? Ayokong nandito ka ulit."