“Teka nga, saan mo ba kami dadalhin ni Dine?” iritadong tanong ni Karen kay Clarence na kinakaladkad sila palabas ng mall.
Huminto si Clarence at tumingin kay Karen, “Will you shut your mouth for a moment? I’m getting tired of your rantings.”
Napakunot ang noo ni Karen sa sinabi ni Clarence. “Eh kung ayaw kong tumahimik, may magagawa ka ba? Tsaka saan mo ba kami dadalhin?”
Clarence combed his hair frustratedly and looked at her, “You said this child is mine, right? Well, I don’t believe you. Hindi ko kilala ang Ate mo at sigurado akong hindi ko siya anak. I practiced safe sex, darling. Pero kung ipipilit mo pa rin na akin yang bata edi ipa-DNA test natin.”
Napanga-nga na lang si Karen at hindi na nakapag-salita pa. Hinatak sila uli ni Clarence papuntang parking lot. Pinasakay sila sa kotse at agad na nagmaneho si Clarence papunta sa condo niya.
Karen and Dine was amazed to see Clarence’s condo. It’s big enough for one person, but suits a bachelor like him. Hindi pa kasi alam ni Karen na may asawa at anak na si Clarence kaya ang pag-aakala niya ay bachelor pa ito. Iniisip niya kasing ginawang dahilan lang ni Clarence na kailangan niyang makita ang anak niya nung nasa Canada pa sila para lang hindi niya makuha ang taxi na sinakyan nito.
“You could stay here while I arrange the DNA test. May guest room ako dyan kaya pwede kayong matulog dun.” cold na pagkakasabi ni Clarence at pagkatapos ay nagdiretso na sa kwarto niya.
Naiwan si Karen at Dine na nakatayo sa sala. Hawak ni Karen si Dine sa kanang kamay nito.
“Tita, why are we here? And who’s that guy yelling at you?” pagtatanong ni Dine kay Karen.
Tumingin siya sa pamangkin at ngumiti, “Dine, siya and daddy mo kaya lang hindi ka pa niya kilala.”
“Why doesn’t he know me? Di ba niya labby si Dine?” pagtatanong pa muli nito.
Karen framed Dine’s face and smiled sweetly, “Labby ka niya kaya lang naging busy kasi siya kaya wala siyang time para makilala ka.”
“Really? Yey! Labby ko din si daddy kahit di niya kilala si Dine.”
//
“Vash?”
Vash flashed his smile and nod as an answer. It was 3 years ago since he last saw Sage. Her appearance changed, from the sweet little girl he fell in love with to the fiery woman standing infront of him.
“Hi Sage. Long time no see.”
That familiar ache coming from her heart started to rose from her chest. She couldn’t believe the fact that Vash, his long-lost lover, has finally come back. She wanted to run to him, to hug him tightly, to kiss him passionately, but she can’t. Something’s stopping her from doing so.
He took a step forward and reached for her hands. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Sage. I regret being such a coward and letting you go without even fighting.”
