Ruining Her

Chapter 15: True Purpose

Ryle POV

This is the reality I have to accept... forever!

Nabuntis ko si Angeline and I have to take the responsibility. It is not only for her and our baby's sake but it is also for something personal I have sworn my whole life... I will never, ever be like my father.

Nandyan ako habang lumalaki ang anak ko. Hindi ko siya iiwan at ang ina nito. I will do my best to cherish them both. I will never make my child feel what I have felt before - loneliness, isolation and hatred.

This is my chance for my true purpose in life... even if it means letting my true love go.

Siguro, ganoon nga talaga ang buhay. You can't get what you want all the time. Life doesn't work according to your plan coz it just happens.

Simula nang nalaman kong buntis si Angeline, I was the first one to offer na dapat ay sa iisang apartment nalang kami titira. Dahil medyo mas malaki ang apartment ko at mas malapit sa city kung nasaan ang mga universities na pinapasukan namin pati na ang mga hospitals, doon nalang siya nanirahan.

While I lived with her, I got to know her better like I never did before...

Masyado akong naging harsh sakanya dahil bulag ako masyado sa aking kagustuhan kay Xyza. She's not that bad at all.

"Oh, Ryle! It's you. I cooked your favorite by the way, Carbora." she said while she was still preparing something in the kitchen.

I went behind her back and caressed her tummy. Five months na siya ngayon at medyo halata na ang baby bump niya pero di naman ganoon kalaki.

Actually, tama lang iyon dahil gra-graduate pa siya sa kaniyang kurso ngayong buwan.

"You sure you're okay with cooking? We could just order, you know. Baka mapano kayo ng baby natin..." sabi ko, a bit concerned.

She chuckled a bit and did something with the stove, finally putting the dishes she cooked into the table.

"Ano ba, Ryle... I'm ok. Don't worry, I'll tell you naman if I'm not comfortable with something." she told me sweetly.

She sat on one of the chairs and I sat next to her comfortably.

"Ok... let's eat? Thank you for this, Angeline." sabi ko.

Slowly, I am warming up to her. Di ko din maiwasan dahil sobrang mahal din siya ng pamilya ko. My lola and lolo were ecstatic about her pregnancy, saying that they always knew it was bound to happen.

My mom and her mom naman can't wait to visit us. Ang sabi nila ay sabay silang pupunta bago ipanganak ni Angeline ang aming anak. Magsta-stay din muna sila dito para magabayan kami ng maayos. May dalawang year pa ako ng aking Master's na kailangan tapusin kaya panigurado, medyo matagal pa kami makakabalik sa Pilipinas.

I can't believe I'll say this, but... Angeline really made me happy. She treats me kindly and cares for me genuinely.

Pero higit sa lahat, binigyan niya ako ng oportunidad para i-assess ang mga priority ko sa buhay. This time, I'm not only going to think about myself anymore. I have to be selfless and put our baby first.

"Congratulations!" I said and kissed her on her cheek.

Sa kabila ng kaniyang pagdadalangtao, nagawa niyang makagraduate at makatanggap ng special honors. I always knew she was smart because back then, she would always be on the President's list... something that only around 3 people would achieve in our batch.

There's really something in her that's just so wonderful. I can't believe I refused to see it before.

Mas lalo ko naramdaman ang kasiyahan ng sinamahan ko siya papunta sa doktor para malaman ang kasarian ng aming anak.

"It's a boy, Mr. Tristan. Congratulations to you and Ms. Angeline!" maligayang sabi ng kaniyang doktor.

Dahil sa sobrang saya, siniil ko ang mga labi ni Angeline sa isang mariin na halik.

"Thank you... thank you for making me so happy." I whispered to her.

Kaonting buwan nalang ang hinihintay namin at mabuti nalang at bumisita na si Mommy at pati na din si Tita Reich, to both guide us.

"You better buy a real penthouse instead, hijo. Masyado na itong maliit niyan sainyo." sabi ng mom ko.

"We're fine here, Tita..." sabi naman ni Angeline sa maliit na boses.

"Oh goodness, Gie! No! May family na kayo niyan. May investments naman si Ryle dahil teenager palang, nag-start na. I've heard that you did the same too kaya sigurado ako you guys have enough to buy... If ever, kung gusto niyo, pwede naman yun na ang gift namin sainyo." my mom said again.

I chuckled a bit at how fast my mom is thinking. I'm still getting to know her, mom. I'm enjoying whatever I have with Angeline right now, honestly.

"Pero who would've thought it'd be you two? Ah, truly a match made in heaven!" sabi naman ni Tita Reich.

I saw how Angeline simply blushed at their statement at ako ay nakikitawa nalang. Kung nandito pa siguro sila lolo at lola, mas lalo kaming gigisahin.

I never knew I could say I can be truly happy.

Dati, akala ko ay kuntento at nasaya na ako sa buhay ko sa Pilipinas. Pero ngayon at nakita ko ang anghel na isinilang ni Angeline sa pinakaunang pagkakataon, wala na atang mas hihigit sa kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko.

This person right here in my arms, my baby... my blood flows through him. He is a part of my life, forever.

Lars Tristan is my new purpose.