MY BEST DECISION oneshot

Epilogue

FIVE YEARS LATER

"Mama, asan ka po?" - Kean called out.

"Anak, ano ba yon? Ang ingay mo naman," I said as I kissed his cheek.

"Mama, masaya po ba dun sa Batangas?" Kean asked, his excitement showing.

I could tell he was really looking forward to it. After five years, we were finally going back to the place where everything started. As Kean grew, he became more and more like his father. It's been so long now, and Kean is already five years old. I can honestly say I've forgiven his dad. Kean knows him from pictures, and I never hid anything from him. I smiled as I watched him.

"Mama, pansinin mo po ako, please," Kean's little voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Mamaaaa kooo!" he repeated.

"Mamaaaa!" Kean yelled again.

I came to my senses and responded, "Anak, wag ka po sumigaw."

"Sorry po, mama. Hindi na po mauulit," Kean said, pouting.

He's so handsome and cute that I couldn't resist caressing his face and kissing his cheek again.

"Hihi, bati na po tayo, mama, please po," he pleaded.

"We were never mad, anak," I said as I hugged him.

"Now, go to sleep. We have an early day tomorrow," I reminded him.

He jumped on his bed, too excited to calm down.

"Anak, baka bumaliktad ka. Stop that!" I warned, and he finally settled down, lying in bed.

"Goodnight, mama! I loveeeeeee you po," Kean said sweetly.

"Goodnight din po, anak. Sleep now, we have a big day ahead," I said, kissing his forehead.

The Next Day – Batangas

"Mamaaaaa! Ang ganda po dito!" Kean couldn't sit still, staring out the car window in awe.

"Anak, umayos ka nga baka mahulog ka! Behave, we're almost home," I said.

"Opo, mama," he replied, finally sitting properly.

At Our House

When we arrived, I couldn't help but notice how much had changed. After all, five years had passed. Kean jumped out of the car and ran to his lola and lolo. He missed them so much, and it warmed my heart. Looking at him, I realized how much my life had changed since he came along.

Since we were already here, I knew it was time to introduce him to his dad. I was ready.

Time flew by, and now we were at Kian's house. My mom told me to go here when I mentioned my plan to introduce Kean to his dad. She was very supportive. No one had heard much from Kian because he'd just returned from America with his brother and dad. I felt so lucky to have such supportive parents.

"Mama, asan po tayo?" - Kean asked curiously.

"We're at your dad's house, anak. Remember, you wanted to meet him?" I explained.

"Opo! Tara, mama! I want to meet my dad," Kean's excitement was contagious as I helped him out of the car. A few elderly women were sitting outside, and they looked a bit surprised to see us arriving in a car.

Kean asked a lot of questions, and I couldn't help but laugh at his curiosity. An elderly woman approached us.

"Hija, sino ang hinahanap niyo?" - The older woman asked.

"Andito po ba nakatira si Kian?" I asked in return.

"Oo hija, tara, upo kayong dalawa," she said.

The other older women were curious, too.

"Luisa, sino yan?" another woman asked.

"They're looking for Kian," Luisa replied.

"Bakit daw?" the other one inquired, eyeing us.

"Hija, anak mo yan?" - The older woman asked.

"Opo, nay, anak ko po. Kean, magpakilala ka sa kanila."

"Hello po, mga lola! Ako po si Kean, five years old!" he said, smiling brightly.

The women were taken aback. "Kamukhang kamukha ni Kian ang batang ito," one of them said.

Another woman chimed in, "Hija, ako pala si Maria. Ito si Luisa, and this is Ina. We're Kian's aunts. Sandali lang, tatawagin namin siya."

"Salamat po. Ako nga po pala si Khane, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat," I introduced myself, noticing the surprise in their faces.

"Khane... parang narinig ko na yung pangalan na yun. Saan nga ulit?" Ina wondered aloud.

"Ikaw yung iniiyakan dati ni Kian, gabi-gabi yung umuuwi ng lasing," Luisa added.

"Umiiyak po? Hindi po ba may asawa't anak na siya?" I asked.

"Naku, hija, binata yan si Kian. Hintayin mo na lang siyang magpaliwanag," Maria said, pointing toward the house. And there he was, standing tall—Kian.

Kian had changed a lot since I last saw him. He looked successful and happy, but I was surprised to learn he didn't have a family of his own. Maybe he would explain everything.

"Tita, sino po sila?" - Kian asked as he approached.

"May naghahanap sayo, hijo, magandang babae pa," - Maria teased as they walked away, leaving us alone.

"Sino ho kayo? Bakit niyo ako hinahanap?" Kian asked, clearly confused.

"Long time no see, Kian. Grabe, limang taon lang, hindi mo na ako nakikilala? It's me, Khane," I said, smiling.

"Khane? Ikaw ba yan? Grabe, ang ganda mo pa rin! Long time no see din," Kian said with a playful grin.

"Haha, bolero ka pa rin. Anyway, I have someone to introduce to you," I replied, turning toward Kean.

"Baby, harap ka na. Diba gusto mo makilala papa mo?" I said gently, encouraging Kean to face him.

Kian's eyes widened in shock as he saw Kean.

"Anak ko?" Kian asked, still processing.

"Oo, tanong mo sa kanya ang pangalan niya," I said.

"What's your name, baby?" Kian asked.

"Kean po, five years old!" Kean answered proudly.

Kian immediately reached out, hugging Kean tightly. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I watched them. Kian smiled at me, silently saying, "Thank you."

From that moment, everything fell into place. I found out Kian wasn't with anyone else; he had chosen to focus on his own life. And I was happy with that. Maybe for now, friendship was enough for us. As long as I saw my son happy, that was all that mattered.

                                                                        THE END.